General assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 127-8).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and/or face-to-face learning activities, including online lecture modules, practicals, and readings. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Delivery modes

1. One 2-hour online lecture module per week, Weeks 1-9, 11-13.
2. One 2-hour weekly practical, Weeks 2-9, 11-12.
3. Four to Five hours of self-directed learning (readings from textbook, exercise tasks and lecture modules), Weeks 1-13.

Recommended readings

• An introduction to medical statistics by Martin Bland (4th edition, 2015; earlier editions should be fine)
• Statistics at square one / T.D.V. Swinscow and M.J. Campbell. 10th ed., London: BMJ Books, 2002 (In addition to library copy, this book is available online via http://www.bmj.com/thebmj)
• Hoffmann et al. Evidence-Based Practice Across the Health Professions. 2 Edn. ISBN: 9780729541350, Elsevier Australia.
• Minichiello et al. Research Methods for nursing and health science. 2 Edn; ISBN: 9781740095969; Pearson Education Australia

Further reading

• Straus, S.E et al. 2005. Evidence-Based Medicine; 4 Edn; Churchill Livingstone
• Access readings from LEGANTO

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Please bring a USB memory stick to on-campus practical classes. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Feedback results in adjustments to content, delivery and/or resources provided in this unit. We encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to teaching staff directly or via the Student Experience and Feedback link in iLearn. In S2, 2024 the statistical software in the curriculum has changed from Minitab to Stata. The practical stream has been redeveloped accordingly.

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

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 clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.