Students
MHHS8000 – Research Foundations
2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Simon McMullan
by email
Bowen Dempsey
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
In this foundation unit, you will examine the framework for research in medicine, health and human science in Australia covering critical topics of ethics, integrity, funding and cultural safety. This unit will showcase the world class research conducted in the faculty, in Macquarie Medical School and the School of Psychological Sciences, in the three departments of Chiropractic, Health Sciences and Linguistics, as well as the Australian Institute of Health Innovation. The faculty has particular research strengths in neurosciences, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, clinical trials, hearing, linguistics, lifespan health and wellbeing and health systems research. In this unit you will explore the key capabilities needed for successful research. |
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: Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- ULO2: Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
- ULO3: Critique different methodologies that might be applied to address research questions.
- ULO4: Pose effective research questions, and describe key components in research design.
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 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.
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:
| 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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics reflection & role play | 20% | No | Weeks 3 & 6 | No | ||
| Journal Article Critical Review | 40% | No | Week 9 | No | ||
| Research Presentation | 40% | No | Week 13 | No |
AT1: Ethics reflection & role play
Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours Due: Weeks 3 & 6 Weighting: 20% Individual: Short extension 3: No AI Approach: Permitted
You will communicate ideas and viewpoints about a scenario where ethics and integrity are key. The first part of this assessment is a written reflection that captures your perspectives and constitutes 25% of the total mark for AT1; this must be submitted in week 3. Part 2 of this assessment is an in-class presentation. Activities are individually marked, but students should coordinate with their groups to avoid repetition and improve depth.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
AT2: Journal Article Critical Review
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours Due: Week 9 Weighting: 40% Individual activity Short extension 3: Yes AI Approach: Permitted
Review and critically evaluate a journal article.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
- Critique different methodologies that might be applied to address research questions.
- Pose effective research questions, and describe key components in research design.
AT3: Research Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours Due: Week 13 Weighting: 40% Individual activity: Short extension 3: No AI Approach: Permitted
Students will critically review research via oral presentation demonstrating their understanding of the overall concepts covered in this unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
- Critique different methodologies that might be applied to address research questions.
- Pose effective research questions, and describe key components in research design.
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.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics reflection & role play | 20% | No | AT1.1: week 3 (11/3/2026), AT1.2: in class, week 6 | Individual | No | Observed |
| Journal Article Critical Review | 40% | No | 06/05/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
| Research Presentation | 40% | No | In class, week 13 | Individual | No | Observed |
Ethics reflection & role play
Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: AT1.1: week 3 (11/3/2026), AT1.2: in class, week 6
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed
Communicate ideas and viewpoints about a scenario where ethics and integrity are key.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
Journal Article Critical Review
Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 06/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
Review and critically evaluate a journal article.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
- Critique different methodologies that might be applied to address research questions.
- Pose effective research questions, and describe key components in research design.
Research Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: In class, week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed
Students will critically review research via oral presentation demonstrating their understanding of the overall concepts covered in this unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe good practice, including ethics, integrity and leadership.
- Explain the fundamentals of different research approaches taken in different disciplines.
- Critique different methodologies that might be applied to address research questions.
- Pose effective research questions, and describe key components in research design.
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
- Academic Success 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.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Delivery and Resources
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of face-to-face (F2F) or learning activities, including seminars, online modules, and practical activities. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Classes: One 3-hour seminar weekly starting on Session week 1, split into a lecture (9-11 am) and tutorial (11-12). Delivered in person, Mondays 9am-12pm, 23WW 105. Recordings are made available via iLearn homepage (Echo360) but, given the discursive nature of postgraduate learning activities and the single microphone in the classroom, may not capture all relevant dialogue. Students are strongly encouraged to attend in person..
Seminar classes all run on campus only. You should not attend on-campus classes if you are unwell or have any cold and flu-like symptoms.
For general information on unit versions, see this website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/enrolling/choosing-units
For readings, refer to recommendations made in the lectures and on ilearn.
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a computer. Students who do not own their own computers may borrow one from the university library.
You will need access to the internet for accessing the iLearn unit homepage for the following:
- Up-to-date information about the unit
- lecture recordings
- online submission of the assignment
- discussion forum
Unit Schedule
Monday mornings, 9 am - 12 pm, 23 Wally's Walk, 105.
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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 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.
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 classes 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.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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 2026.02 of the Handbook