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Unit outline_

HSBH4103: Health Honours Project A

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. The student will work closely with their supervisors in planning a literature review, designing a study or refining the initial design, and communicating the outcomes of these processes in writing and orally. Students will also attend seminars and workshops that contribute to the successful completion of these tasks: classes on library skills, ethics in health research, writing a literature review, and presentation skills. Additionally students will meet with their supervisor(s) on a regular basis for other aspects of research supervision.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
HSBH4104
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, tatjana.seizova-cajic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Research proposal
Research proposal
100% Formal exam period 3,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2
Assignment Rejoinder
Answers to questions about your research proposal
0% Formal exam period 300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Draft literature review
Draft literature review - submit on Canvas and directly to supervisor
0% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 29 Apr 2022
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment hurdle task Literature review
Literature review and research question
0% Week 10
Due date: 06 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 May 2022
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Research question and method
Research question and method
0% Week 12
Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 May 2022
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Presentation hurdle task Presentation
Oral presentation of the research proposal (live or via Zoom)
0% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 28 May 2021
15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  1. Literature review and the research question (formative): Clearly outline the state of current knowledge in the area of interest and identify a knowledge gap that explains the relevance of your project. Your supervisor will guide you. You are writing a relatively short review (narrative, scoping or systematic), which is not meant to be publication-ready review but an introduction to your research proposal. Fine tuning the search criteria is important, and ability to revise the question – seek help along the way. The review should be focused, include the statement about a gap in the current knowledge and finish with your own research question. 
  2. Restated research question, choice and justification of method. Based on the feedback you received, revise the question. Also briefly describe chosen methods and justify them.
  3. Oral presentation of the research proposal (formative): You will present the proposal to your peers, lecturers and other audience and obtain feedback. This is an opportunity to develop your oral  presentation skills and get feedback on the proposal.
  4. Research proposal (pass/fail): Describe your research plan in detail, clearly linking the proposed methods to your research aims. Use this final opportunity for reflection and feedback even if you have started collecting data.
  5. Rejoinder: Examiners will comment on your research proposal and ask questions. You need to write down responses to three main questions they ask. This mimicks a typical grant application process, where you get a chance to briefly reply to reviewers. It gives you an opportunity to reflect on your project – use it well.

Note that tasks 1, 3 and 4 are hurdle tasks; you cannot complete this unit if you do not complete each of them. Only #4 is marked (with grade only, pass or fail); 1 and 3 are not marked but need to be serious attempts to count as completed.

More detailed information about assessments can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Literature search and EndNote (with librarian) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 04 Narrative literature review (MV) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 05 Systematic literature review (MFS) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 06 Ethics in research (GD) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2
Week 08 Writing workshop (TSC) Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 10 How to present (MV) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Week 11 Presentations practice (class time or other day/time - to be arranged) (MV) Rehearsal (2 hr) LO3
Week 12 Oral presentations (formative assessment) (RT; JMN) Presentation (2.5 hr) LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to participate in discussions and activities. Attendance of less than 80% of the scheduled classes must be supported by written documentation.

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

Recommended readings and other resources (see lectures for any required readings):

  1. Textbooks: See recommended online textbooks in sister unit HSBH4101 for chapters on ethics and literature search, and for explanations of concepts
  2. National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/national-statement-ethical-conduct-human-research-2007-updated-2018
  3. Munn, Z., Peters, M.D.J., Stern, C. et al. Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 18, 143 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
  4. Our library has many resources for researchers, please explore: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/

      – Example resources from the above link:

  1. Theses from this and other universities: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/finding-theses.html 
  2. Referencing and citation styles: https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/citation (please use APA 6 unless the journal guidelines you follow request otherwise)
  3. How to conduct a systematic review: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/systematic-review/
  4. Text and data mining: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/text-data-mining.html
  5. How to archive research data: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/archiving-data.html
  6. Variety of tutorials: https://www.sydney.edu.au/research/facilities/sydney-informatics-hub/workshops-and-training.html#stats

 

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. Conduct a literature review and write it up
  • LO2. Know the ethical principles of research and adhere to them
  • LO3. Develop oral presentation skills
  • LO4. Propose research that will increase knowledge

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

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered in this format.

Academic staff teaching in the unit:

Dr Justin McNab 

Dr Tatjana Seizova-Cajic

Dr Rachel Thompson

Library staff: 

Kanchana Ekanayake

 

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.