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Unit outline_

CSCD3085: Speech Pathology Research Methods

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit students will learn the basic principles of designing, undertaking and analysing research in speech pathology. This will enable students to critically reflect on research and appreciate the link between reserach skills and evidence-based practice. This unit will also lay the groundwork for students considering a research higher degree. A variety of topics will be explored including correlational techniques, hypothesis testing and qualitative methods. Exercises and examples will relate specifically to the basic science and applied aspects of speech pathology. Students will gain experience using SPSS statistical analysis software or equivalent.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Emma Wallace, emma.wallace@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Journal Club Presentation
Journal club presentation
10% Multiple weeks Over multiple weeks in tutorials
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO2
Small test Research methodology appraisal (30%)
In class research methodology appraisal
30% Week -05
Due date: 29 Aug 2023 at 10:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Small test Mid-Semester Test (20%)
MCQ + short answer
20% Week 10
Due date: 10 Oct 2023 at 10:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO4 LO5
Assignment Research study proposal
Submitted work.
40% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Students must complete all tasks to pass this unit of study. Failure to complete all assessments will result in a Fail grade, regardless of the cumulative total of marks

Research methodology appraisal (30%): Students will critically appraise a published research paper and comment on research design and methodology.   

Journal Club Presentation (10%): Group task, critical appraisal of a research study of your choice presented to the class in weekly tuttorials (weeks 7-13). 

Mid-semester test – open book (20%): This test will contain questions about research design, SPSS processes, and output, interpretation of results. It will be in week 9. 

Resarch study proposal (40%): Students will submit a research study proposal. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assignments are due 11.59pm on the day outlined in Canvas. Submission after this time is deemed late. 5% is deducted from the mark for each day it is late. After 10 days the assignment is not marked. Any student unable to submit by the deadline should apply for Special Consideration. Further information can be found https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Ethics Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Research Design Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Research Design II Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Critical Appraisal Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Critical appraisal Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Introduction to Qualitative Research Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Introduction to Statistics: Descriptive statistics Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 Introduction to Statistics: Inferential statistics Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Continuous data: Comparing means (two means) Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal Club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Continuous data: Comparing means (more than two means) Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal Club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Continuous data: Correlation/regression Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal Club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 12 Results section Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Journal Club Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 13 Putting it all together Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend two hours of lectures weekly unless otherwise advised. A tutorial has been booked for students on weeks 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Attendance at tutorials is highly recommended. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Irwin, D.L, Pannbacker, M. & Lass, J.L. (2013) Clinical Research Methods in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (2nd Ed) Plural Publishing

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. LO1 – Understand and identify the principles of ethics in research in a speech pathology context.
  • LO2. LO2 – Critically evaluate and compare different research designs that are commonly used in speech pathology research.
  • LO3. LO3 - identify and evaluate bias and confounding factors within speech pathology research and generate possible solutions for avoiding bias.
  • LO4. LO4 – understand what is meant by hypothesis testing and the strengths and limitations of hypothesis testing in research methods.
  • LO5. LO5 - understand and explain the difference between statistical tests (t-test ANOVA, correlations etc) that can be used to analyse clinical and research data and demonstrate ability to analyse descriptive statistics, perform basic statistical tests and interpret data output.
  • LO6. LO6 – identify as a research-based speech pathologist by being able to critically appraise and apply research to clinical scenarios, and identify opportunities to engage in research within organisations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.2. Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO2
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.2. Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO3
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO4
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO5
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO6
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.1. Develop shared understanding of speech pathology
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 T A Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.2 T A Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
2.2 T P A Use critical reflection to inform professional development and practice
2.5 T P A Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
2.6 T P A Engage in learning with colleagues, students and the community
2.7 T A Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base
3.5 T P A Implement and evaluate intervention or service response
3.6 T P A Support development of the profession

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been offered previously, but is being taught online for the first time this year.

For tutorials and home exercises students need statistical software. Either SPSS or PSPP must be used to achieve the learning outcomes in this unit.  SPSS can be accessed remotely from the University using Citrix Workspace software.  See https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/student-it/apps.html and go down the bottom of the page to Citrix Workspace. Please DO NOT load Citrix Receiver instead.  You will regret it.  PSPP can be loaded on your own computer for free from https://www.gnu.org/software/pspp/get.html Anyone who tries to run SPSS or PSPP on a tablet or phone is on their own.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.