Students

MEDI8310 – Research Project

2024 – Full year 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, On location

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Veronica Preda
veronica.preda@mqhealth.org.au
Robyn Clay-Williams
robyn.clay-williams@mq.edu.au
Samantha Smith
samantha.smith1@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
20
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(MEDI924 or MEDI8204)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This full year unit is the first of two research units which are integrated with clinical learning in Stage 2 of the Doctor of Medicine (Macquarie MD). It contributes to an 18-month research experience culminating in the completion and presentation of an individual research project in MEDI8400: Research Project and Presentation. You will build on the research training embedded in Stage 1 of the Macquarie MD. The research projects offered broadly focus on making a scholarly contribution to learning health systems and may include projects related to health systems development and delivery, infrastructure and resource-use in healthcare, patient safety and quality, patient and clinician experience of service delivery, patient- and professional-reported determinants of health and wellbeing and medical education. You will work with peers involved in similar projects, and your project supervisors, to undertake relevant research training; conduct a literature review, finalise your research questions; develop a comprehensive research plan; collect and analyse data; and draft and refine sections of your manuscript required in MEDI8400: Research Project and Presentation. You will also further develop your skills in communicating research effectively.

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: Conduct a comprehensive literature review relevant to the research topic and formulate answerable specific research question/s which are designed to enhance healthcare (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • ULO2: Develop a comprehensive research plan, implement appropriate research methodology, analysis strategies, and problem solving skills to answer the specific research question/s (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • ULO3: Communicate research processes and findings effectively and concisely (Capability 2: Clinical Practitioner).
  • ULO4: Discuss the significance of the research project and how it will contribute to the enhancement of health systems or healthcare broadly (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen).
  • ULO5: Demonstrate initiative and practice scientific and professional responsibilities, including an adherence to the ethical and regulatory requirements relevant to the research project (Capability 4: Professional).
  • ULO6: Work collaboratively with peers and supervisors, giving and receiving feedback, generating improvement strategies and promoting a collaborative research environment (Capability 4: Professional).

General Assessment Information

Find important information on the Doctor of Medicine's requirements for progression, hurdle assessment tasks and grading approach for Stage 2 in the MD Rules of Assessment and Progression available on the Macquarie Doctor of Medicine Community iLearn Site.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Plan 10% No Week 10 MD3A
Draft of research manuscript components 25% No Week 3 MD3B
Oral presentation 15% No Week 3 MD3C
Draft and refinement of research manuscript components 50% No Week 12 MD3C

Research Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 10 MD3A
Weighting: 10%

 

Outline Research plan with timelines including strategies to work collaboratively as a member of the research team. Assessment criteria will be mapped to relevant capability aspects. Overall and capability aspects performance will be recorded in your Macquarie Assessment Portfolio.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review relevant to the research topic and formulate answerable specific research question/s which are designed to enhance healthcare (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Develop a comprehensive research plan, implement appropriate research methodology, analysis strategies, and problem solving skills to answer the specific research question/s (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Discuss the significance of the research project and how it will contribute to the enhancement of health systems or healthcare broadly (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen).
  • Demonstrate initiative and practice scientific and professional responsibilities, including an adherence to the ethical and regulatory requirements relevant to the research project (Capability 4: Professional).
  • Work collaboratively with peers and supervisors, giving and receiving feedback, generating improvement strategies and promoting a collaborative research environment (Capability 4: Professional).

Draft of research manuscript components

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 3 MD3B
Weighting: 25%

 

Draft of Introduction and background section of research manuscript in format of the specified journal. Assessment criteria will be mapped to relevant capability aspects. Overall and capability aspect performance will be recorded in your Macquarie Assessment Portfolio.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review relevant to the research topic and formulate answerable specific research question/s which are designed to enhance healthcare (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Develop a comprehensive research plan, implement appropriate research methodology, analysis strategies, and problem solving skills to answer the specific research question/s (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Communicate research processes and findings effectively and concisely (Capability 2: Clinical Practitioner).
  • Discuss the significance of the research project and how it will contribute to the enhancement of health systems or healthcare broadly (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen).
  • Demonstrate initiative and practice scientific and professional responsibilities, including an adherence to the ethical and regulatory requirements relevant to the research project (Capability 4: Professional).
  • Work collaboratively with peers and supervisors, giving and receiving feedback, generating improvement strategies and promoting a collaborative research environment (Capability 4: Professional).

Oral presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 3 MD3C
Weighting: 15%

 

Oral presentation of Research plan including planned methods to supervisors. Assessment criteria will be mapped to relevant capability aspects. Overall and capability aspects performance will be recorded in your Macquarie Assessment Portfolio.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review relevant to the research topic and formulate answerable specific research question/s which are designed to enhance healthcare (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Develop a comprehensive research plan, implement appropriate research methodology, analysis strategies, and problem solving skills to answer the specific research question/s (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Communicate research processes and findings effectively and concisely (Capability 2: Clinical Practitioner).
  • Discuss the significance of the research project and how it will contribute to the enhancement of health systems or healthcare broadly (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen).
  • Demonstrate initiative and practice scientific and professional responsibilities, including an adherence to the ethical and regulatory requirements relevant to the research project (Capability 4: Professional).
  • Work collaboratively with peers and supervisors, giving and receiving feedback, generating improvement strategies and promoting a collaborative research environment (Capability 4: Professional).

Draft and refinement of research manuscript components

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 12 MD3C
Weighting: 50%

 

Draft analysis, refined Introduction, methods and results in format of the specified journal. Assessment criteria will be mapped to relevant capability aspects. Overall and capability aspect performance will be recorded in your Macquarie Assessment Portfolio.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review relevant to the research topic and formulate answerable specific research question/s which are designed to enhance healthcare (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Develop a comprehensive research plan, implement appropriate research methodology, analysis strategies, and problem solving skills to answer the specific research question/s (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Communicate research processes and findings effectively and concisely (Capability 2: Clinical Practitioner).
  • Discuss the significance of the research project and how it will contribute to the enhancement of health systems or healthcare broadly (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen).
  • Demonstrate initiative and practice scientific and professional responsibilities, including an adherence to the ethical and regulatory requirements relevant to the research project (Capability 4: Professional).
  • Work collaboratively with peers and supervisors, giving and receiving feedback, generating improvement strategies and promoting a collaborative research environment (Capability 4: Professional).

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 full year unit is the first of two research units which are integrated with clinical learning in Stage 2 of the Doctor of Medicine (Macquarie MD). It contributes to an 18-month research experience culminating in the completion and presentation of an individual research project in MEDI8400: Research Project and Presentation.  You will build on the research training embedded in Stage 1 of the Macquarie MD. The research projects offered broadly focus on making a scholarly contribution to learning health systems and may include projects related to health systems development and delivery, infrastructure and resource-use in healthcare, patient safety and quality, patient and clinician experience of service delivery, patient- and professional-reported determinants of health and wellbeing and medical education.  You will work with peers involved in similar projects, and your project supervisors, to undertake relevant research training; conduct a literature review, finalise your research questions; develop a comprehensive research plan; collect and analyse data; and draft and refine sections of your manuscript required in MEDI8400: Research Project and Presentation. You will also further develop your skills in communicating research effectively. 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.02 of the Handbook