Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Claire Layfield
Thaatsha Sivananthan
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit, you will learn how to use research to make informed decisions in healthcare. You will develop the practical skills needed to apply evidence-based approaches to real health issues, while considering different cultural needs. By the end of the unit, you will know how to assess research, apply solutions based on evidence, and work ethically and responsibly. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
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 128).
All extensions need to be formally requested via MQ Service Connect in line with the special consideration policy. Supplementary assessment tasks will only be provided following an approved Special Consideration application, and only when appropriate.
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:
Number of days (hours) late | Total Possible Marks | Deduction | Raw mark | Final mark |
1 day (1-24 hours) | 100 | 5 | 75 | 70 |
2 days (24-48 hours) | 100 | 10 | 75 | 65 |
3 days (48-72 hours) | 100 | 15 | 75 | 60 |
7 days (144-168 hours) | 100 | 35 | 75 | 40 |
>7 days (>168 hours) | 100 | - | 75 | 0 |
Please note no submissions will be accepted after marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.
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.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Evidence-Based Practice Presentation | 30% | No | 05/09/2025 |
Research Article Critique | 40% | No | 10/10/2025 |
Reflective Essay | 30% | No | 31/10/2025 |
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 05/09/2025
Weighting: 30%
You will create a short presentation explaining the core principles of evidence-based practice and how research informs healthcare decisions to address a selected health issue.
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 10/10/2025
Weighting: 40%
You will select a peer-reviewed research article on a healthcare topic and conduct a structured critique, focusing on the quality of the research methodology, validity of the findings, and how well the research can be applied to address health issues. In your critique you will also consider how the evidence could be adapted for diverse populations and reflect on ethical considerations.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 30%
You will write a reflective essay discussing what you have learnt about evidence-based practice throughout the unit and how you will use this knowledge in the future to assess healthcare issues.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
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
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online asynchronous learning activities, including online lecture modules, tutorial classes and readings. Lectures for this unit will be delivered as online learning modules, via the iLearn site, to be completed in your own time during the week and prior to your completion of your online self-paced tutorial activities.
Further details about lectures and tutorials can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Required and Recommended Readings
The recommended textbook for this unit is available free online, via the MQ Library website. Hoffmann, Tammy & Bennett, Sally & Del Mar, Chris. 4th ed (2023). Evidence-based practice across the health professions. Chatswood, NSW : Elsevier Australia
Additional recommended resources will be listed in the Leganto readings list, within the unit's iLearn site.
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities and completion of the assessment tasks in this unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or similar device. Students can download the Office 365 suite for free https://students.mq.edu.au/support/ technology/software/microsoft
Unit Schedule
The following weekly schedule is subject to change; see the iLearn site for the most up-to-date information. Online asynchronous lectures and tutorials both commence from Week 1.
Week |
Lecture |
1 | Unit introduction |
2 | Understanding research questions, studies & levels of evidence |
3 | Searching for evidence |
4 | Review articles & Meta-analyses |
5 | Quantitative evidence |
6 | Qualitative evidence & Qualitative vs Quantitative co-design I |
7 | Qualitative evidence & Qualitative vs Quantitative co-design II |
8 | Ethical considerations in evidence based practice |
Mid-session Break | |
9 | Shared decision making |
10 | Clinical reasoning |
11 | Implementing evidence and closing evidence practice gaps |
12 | Embedding evidence based practice into routine clinical care |
13 | No Lecture |
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.
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 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
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success 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.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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.
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.
Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook