Students

CHIR8201 – Postgraduate Advanced Research I

2022 – Session 1, In person/Online-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Simon French
simon.french@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CHIR8511 and CHIR8512 and (CHIR8513 or CHIR8503 or CHIR918) and (CHIR8514 or CHIR8504 or CHIR919)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit, together with CHIR8202, develops a student's ability to critique, evaluate and synthesise biomedical research. These skills are crucial for life-long learning and are essential in evidence-informed clinical practice. In this unit, students will work in groups to develop and execute a medium term, capstone research project to answer a specific research question/s.

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: Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
  • ULO2: Apply knowledge in research methods to analyse, interpret and assess research findings
  • ULO3: Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol to your peers and experienced academics using verbal and written methods
  • ULO4: Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by designing a research protocol to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area

General Assessment Information

It is expected that students will follow the Academic Integrity Policy at all times (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-integrity). Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary procedures for the involved student.

Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Student Wellbeing and Support Services (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing).

 

ASSESSMENT OPTIONS

Students will choose one of two group assessment options:

Option 1: Research Project There will be a limited number of research projects available. These projects will be nominated by academics in the Department of Chiropractic. These projects will involve a group of students (typically four) working together on the project for this unit and for CHIR8202 in S2. In CHIR8201 students will develop the research protocol, and in CHIR8202 students will carry out the research.

Option 2: Case Report Students will select one of their patients in the student clinic and write a detailed case report to inform their management. These projects will involve three students working together on the project. This case report will include a comprehensive evaluation of the literature related to the patient’s clinical condition, and will identify research gaps. The group of students will then address these gaps by designing a research protocol for CHIR8202 in S2.

 

ONLINE QUIZZES

Two online quizzes will be held, one in Week 7 and one in Week 13. Quizzes will be available online through iLearn unless otherwise indicated. Both quizzes will comprise multiple choice questions to evaluate student learning of lecture and tutorial material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.

 

RESEARCH PLAN PRESENTATION

Option 1: Research Project In class or online oral research presentation about the research protocol. Each student will present the research protocol for their research project: 8 minute presentation, 2 minute question time.

Option 2: Case Report In class or online oral research presentation about the literature that informs the care of the student’s patient: 8 minute presentation, 2 minute question time.

 

If you miss a scheduled assessment, a supplementary assessment will only be considered under the Special Consideration policy (https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration), applied for through www.ask.mq.edu.au. If you complete an assessment at the scheduled time you are declaring that you are fit to sit that assessment and Special Consideration will not normally be granted.

 

RESEARCH PLAN WRITTEN REPORT

Option 1: Research Project The research protocol will be written up in the format of a journal article (approximately 2,000 words), ready for submission for publication in a peer reviewed journal. One research protocol report will be submitted per group, with contributions from each student.

Option 2: Case Report The case report will be written up in the format of a journal article (approximately 2,000 words), ready for submission for publication in a peer reviewed journal. One research protocol report will be submitted per group, with contributions from each student.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online quiz #1 20% No Week 7, Thursday 7th April, 9AM
Online quiz #2 20% No Week 13, Thursday 2nd June, 9AM
Research plan/Case study presentation 30% No Week 12 and Week 13, during tutorial times
Research Plan Written Report 30% No Thursday 9th June, 5PM

Online quiz #1

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Week 7, Thursday 7th April, 9AM
Weighting: 20%

 

Multiple choice questions that evaluate student learning of lecture and tutorial material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
  • Apply knowledge in research methods to analyse, interpret and assess research findings

Online quiz #2

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Week 13, Thursday 2nd June, 9AM
Weighting: 20%

 

Multiple choice questions that evaluate student learning of lecture and tutorial material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
  • Apply knowledge in research methods to analyse, interpret and assess research findings

Research plan/Case study presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12 and Week 13, during tutorial times
Weighting: 30%

 

In class, oral research presentation about the research protocol/case study; 8 minute presentation, 2 minute question time.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
  • Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol to your peers and experienced academics using verbal and written methods
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by designing a research protocol to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area

Research Plan Written Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Thursday 9th June, 5PM
Weighting: 30%

 

The student research protocol/case study will be written up in the format of a journal article (approximately 2000 words), ready for submission for publication in a peer reviewed journal. One research protocol/case study report will be submitted per group, with contributions from each student.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
  • Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol to your peers and experienced academics using verbal and written methods
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by designing a research protocol to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area

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

Delivery mode

Students should approach the content of this unit through self-directed learning. Some students in this unit will be assigned to a research project group. Each research project is linked to an academic advisor who will provide mentorship and guidance on completing the research protocol and project over the entire year, continuing into CHIR8202. Learning in this aspect of the unit occurs via student/supervisor engagement. Other students working on the group case report will need to select a patient from the student clinic to write up into an evidence-based case report.

Lectures will be delivered online and provide a high-level overview of research skills taught throughout the chiropractic programs, in addition to more advanced topics that aim to help you develop your research protocol or case report. These lectures will review the main clinical research methods relevant to chiropractic practice, providing relevant material for the unit’s substantial research project or case report.

Students will be allocated to a 2-hour tutorial group, online or in person. In these tutorials students will work on activities related to the topic covered in that week’s lecture, meet with their supervisor, or participate in presentations of the research groups’ protocol or case report as both a presenter and audience participant. Tutorial attendance and participation is strongly recommended. 

 

Attendance and participation requirements

You must attend the tutorial in which you are enrolled, and you are strongly recommended to attend and participate in at least 80% of tutorials. If you miss your assigned tutorial in any week, you may attend at an alternative session, through email request and appropriate documentation to the unit convenor.

If you are part of a research project group, you are also required to meet with your project supervisor (in person or via Zoom) a minimum of four times during the Session. The research plan written report must include the meeting schedule and minutes of these meetings as an Appendix. Some tutorial time will be made available for you to meet with your supervisor, but other meeting times will be necessary.

 

Unit Web Page

You can log in to iLearn learning system using this link: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

 

Recommended text book

Portney, Leslie. Foundations of clinical research: applications to evidence-based practice, EBSCO Publishing (Firm). Fourth edition. Philadelphia, PA : F.A. Davis Company 2020

Available online via Macquarie University library

Unit Schedule

The following topics will be covered in this unit:

  • Framing the problem and formulating research questions
  • Clinical practice guidelines
  • Library services and resources for chiropractic students
  • Systematic and scoping reviews
  • Research Designs: Quantitative and Qualitative
  • Ethics and research integrity
  • Sampling, data collection and analysis
  • Cochrane Risk of Bias & GRADE
  • Writing a journal article and making an excellent presentation
  • Knowledge translation

Details of the weekly schedule are available on iLearn.

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook