Undergraduate - UnitHSC4002 - Health science research project 2

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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24 points, SCA Band 2, 0.500 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Offered	Alfred Hospital Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Charles Livingstone

Synopsis

The Honours thesis is a research study, focusing on a particular contemporary global public health and health science research topic or issue, undertaken with the guidance and support of a supervisor. Students will be expected to demonstrate initiative and independence during their research study. All Honours students are required to present on their research project at a research seminar prior to submission. The Honours thesis is designed for students who are intending to undertake further higher degree studies. Graduates who have successfully completed the Health Science Research Project (both Part 1 and Part 2) will be able to use their 15,000 word study as evidence of independent research experience in an application for entry into higher research degree programs.

Outcomes

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to develop a research topic to investigate that is feasible within a two-semester time frame by submitting a 15,000 word thesis;
Identify key research questions that are suitable for an honours level project;
Select and review relevant theory and literature;
Design a study and choose appropriate methods to investigate research questions;
Select appropriate modes of analysis;
Demonstrate an understanding of and discuss the ethical issues involved in their research project;
Implement, critically appraise or apply research in a particular field;
Prepare a comprehensive written report that is professionally presented and contains all elements required for an academic/scientific journal publication; and,
Present and lead a discussion on their project as part of the weekly colloquium series.

Assessment

Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend 80% of colloquia, and are required to meet with their supervisor at least once a fortnight for 1-2 hours.

Formative assessment:
a. An individual presentation and feedback on students' completed projects - to occur prior to submission and,
b. Feedback during supervision throughout the semester.

Summative assessment: A 15,000 word research-based honours thesis (100%). Students' theses will be examined as per normal Faculity of Medicne, Nursing and Health Sciences' practice, that is examined by at least two examiners. Additional examiners may be used if there is a significant descrepancy between the examiners.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Charles Livingstone

Workload requirements

Two class contact hours per week (seminar style), attendance of a weekly colloquium (1-2 hours per week), plus regular project supervision (1-2 hours per fortnight). In addition, as per University requirements, students will be required to spend up to 40 hours per week in private study/self-directed learning (i.e. a total of 48 hours per week).

Prerequisites

HSC4011 and HSC4001