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Unit outline_

DENT6000: Research Methods in Dentistry

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

Research Methods in Dentistry is a postgraduate course designed to provide fundamental knowledge and skills in Evidence-Based Dentistry and research methods for students intending to undertake research at the Sydney Dental School. All course material is provided through eLearning (Canvas) via the University of Sydney's website. A detailed series of modules and learning resources are included in the study material. Students are required to complete module-based assignments and a final assignment at the end of the course. Students are expected to develop a research proposal to investigate a research question of their interest as the final assignment. Topics covered include introduction to Evidence-Based Dentistry, systematic literature search, quantitative and qualitative research methods and basic statistics. Considerable attention is paid to critical appraisal of journal articles which is an indispensable tool in the pursuit of clinical practice founded on Evidence-Based Dentistry.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Population Oral Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shanika Nanayakkara, shanika.nanayakkara@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Shanika Nanayakkara, shanika.nanayakkara@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Module 1A Assignment
Module-based task
10% Week 01
Due date: 19 Feb 2024 at 23:59
0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment hurdle task Module 1B Assignment
Module-based task
0% Week 02
Due date: 26 Feb 2024 at 23:59
1hr
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Assignment hurdle task Module 2 Assignment
Module-based task
10% Week 02
Due date: 26 Feb 2024 at 23:59
1hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Module 3 Assignment
Module-based task
15% Week 03
Due date: 04 Mar 2024 at 23:59
2hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Module 4 Assignment
Module-based task
15% Week 04
Due date: 11 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO5 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Module 6 Assignment
Module-task assignment
15% Week 07
Due date: 08 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2hr
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7
Assignment hurdle task Module 7 Assignment
Module-based tasks
15% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2hr
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Final assignment
Research Proposal
20% Week 12
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Module-based assignments: These assignments will assess students’ knowledge and skills on the topics covered by each module. Assignments will consist of modified essay questions, developing literature search strategies, data analysis and interpretation, appraising scientific evidence and short reports.
  • Final assignment: Students will complete a summative final assignment after completing the weekly modules successfully. Students will utilize the acquired knowledge to develop a research proposal to investigate a selected research question.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Evidence Based Practice/Dentistry-SNanayakkara Online class (3 hr) LO1
Q&A session-Evidence based practice/dentistry-SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO1
Week 01 Epidemiological Study Designs (Quantitative)-SNanayakkara Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7
Q&A session-Epidemiological Study Designs-SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO2
Week 02 Introduction to Critical Appraisal-SNanayakkara Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Q&A session- Introduction to Critical Appraisal-SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 03 Basic biostatistics-SNanayakkara Online class (6 hr) LO4 LO5
Q&A session- Basic biostatistics-SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 04 Qualitative Research Studies-SNanayakkara Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7
Week 05 Literature searching-SNanayakkara Online class (6 hr) LO3
Week 07 Critical appraisal of literature-SNanayakkara Online class (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Q&A session-Critical appraisal-SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Ethics in Research-SNanayakkara Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Q&A session-Developing Research Proposal (session 1) SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Q&A session-Developing Research Proposal (session 2) SNanayakkara Block teaching (1 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Attendance is a professional responsibility required of all students admitted to academic programs within the Sydney Dental School. All programs in the Sydney Dental School have a 90% attendance policy, for all compulsory components of Units of Study, as detailed in the Faculty of Dentistry Attendance Provisions 2015. This includes all clinical and practical sessions. The course requirements cannot be satisfied if more than 10% of any section of a course is missed for any reason.
  • Professionalism: Students in all Sydney Dental School programs are subject to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Requirements 2019 and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Provisions 2019. Professionalism is an essential component of developing competency to practice. It is important for students to demonstrate professional behaviour in all contexts and environments. In accordance with these local provisions: candidates who demonstrate serious or repeated unprofessional behaviour may be required to show cause as to why their enrolment should be continued. Failure to show cause may result in exclusion from the course.

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.

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. demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based dentistry
  • LO2. demonstrate familiarity with clinical study designs, their strengths and weaknesses, and the levels of evidence provided
  • LO3. develop skills to search for and critically appraise published research literature
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of basic statistical concepts, and be able interpret evidence presented in journal publications.
  • LO5. interpret and present research evidence to a wider audience
  • LO6. Develop knowledge and skills to choose and present methods appropriate to investigate research questions
  • LO7. demonstrate an ability to design research projects on oral health-related topics

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
Professional competencies of the newly qualified dentist - ADC
3.1. locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care
4.4. understand the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based health promotion
6.2.4. formulate and record a comprehensive, patient-centred, evidence-based oral health treatment plan
LO2
Professional competencies of the newly qualified dentist - ADC
3.1. locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care

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

Learning resources have been further developed based on the students feedback to support the learning process. Q&A sessions and additional zoom sessions to support learning are offered as required.

 

This unit is offered only in semester 1

Work, health and safety

Students must comply with work health and safety, infection control and dress standard policies of all laboratories, placement sites and Local Health Districts (LHDs).

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.