Students
MEDI2900 – Introduction to Medical Research
2021 – Session 3, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Mark Butlin
Contact via E-mail
Level 1, 75 Talavera Road
By appointment.
Practical co-ordinator
Julie Atkin
Contact via E-mail
Level 1, 75 Talavera Road
By appointment.
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Through this unit, you will begin to develop the required knowledge and skills to participate in basic research in the field of health or biomedical science. You will learn about the importance of appropriate research notetaking and record keeping. Building upon this, you will learn about widely used research methodology and gain an appreciation for the translational capacity of medical research. You will be provided the opportunity to develop your skills in research planning and communication, in preparation for future studies that integrate research within your learning. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Recognise the basic research methods to prepare and commence research
- ULO2: Apply basic methods to perform research data analysis, data collection, and data storage.
- ULO3: Demonstrate and compare different communication types used throughout a research network.
General Assessment Information
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in Schedule 1 of the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, which is available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
All final grades in the Bachelor of Clinical Science are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, attempt all assessment tasks, meet any ungraded requirements including professionalism and achieve an SNG of 50 or better.
Student Professionalism
In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including tutorials, as well as practical sessions.
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all small group interactive sessions. Students that do not meet this requirement may be deemed unable to meet expectations regarding professionalism and may be referred for disciplinary action (which may include exclusion from assessments and unit failure).
Similarly, as part of developing professionalism, students are expected to submit all work by the due date. Applications for assessment task extensions must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Special Consideration Policy available at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Late Submission
Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks.
For example:
|
Due date |
Received |
Days late |
Deduction |
Raw mark |
Final mark |
|
Friday 14th |
Monday 17th |
3 |
15% |
75% |
60% |
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Research Study | 50% | No | Week 2 and 4 |
| Statistical Data Analysis | 30% | No | Week 3 |
| Assessment of simulated medical research | 20% | No | Week 5 |
Medical Research Study
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 2 and 4
Weighting: 50%
Using a hypothetical research project you will provide a report on the study design and study results and findings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the basic research methods to prepare and commence research
- Apply basic methods to perform research data analysis, data collection, and data storage.
- Demonstrate and compare different communication types used throughout a research network.
Statistical Data Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 30%
You will be provided with a data set in which to perform statistical and descriptive analysis.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply basic methods to perform research data analysis, data collection, and data storage.
- Demonstrate and compare different communication types used throughout a research network.
Assessment of simulated medical research
Assessment Type 1: Work-integrated task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%
A structured assessment combining demonstration of practical research skills and a written task based on the practical activities conducted in the simulated medical research experience component of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the basic research methods to prepare and commence research
- Apply basic methods to perform research data analysis, data collection, and data storage.
- Demonstrate and compare different communication types used throughout a research network.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit involves essential on-campus learning activities which will be delivered in accordance with a COVID Safe plan. You are expected to attend on-campus for these activities unless the Public Health Orders and/or University advice changes, you have any symptoms of COVID or you have been identified as a contact of an individual with COVID. Please refer to iLearn for further information.
Weeks 1 to 4 - remote learning
The first 4 weeks of this unit will be delivered on-line. You will be able to complete this period of the unit off-campus if you wish.
Week 5 - compulsory on-campus
Week 5 comprises an intensive practical-based week. On-campus attendance is compulsory for this week.
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will generally require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the University library.
Recommended Readings
Unit readings are available via the University library website through Leganto.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Study design in medical research
Week 2: Statistics in medical research
Week 3: Data and scientific presentation
Week 4: Medical research network and communication
Week 5: Medical research in practice (practical experience)
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
This unit has been significantly redesigned from the 2020 offering. The unit now has a major emphasis on general skills that could be applied to any form of medical research, whether it be basic cell or animal research, clinical research, health informatics, or biomedical device development. The redesigned unit will provide a base level of knowledge for any future interaction with medical research and is designed to support anyone who:
- is planning on taking further research intensive units in the Bachelor of Clinical Science course, and/or
- is planning on research being part of their medical career path, and/or
- is wanting to have a fundamental understanding and skills of critical appraisal of medical research to apply research findings to their medical specialty, or
- is looking on embarking on a research intensive career, which may include progression into the Masters of Research and PhD programs.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook