Outline

Overview

This is a full semester of research equivalent to 25% of the load of the MND degree and qualifies students for PhD studies. Each student conducts a research project under the supervision of an academic or dietitian experienced in research. The projects encompass clinical, health promotion, public health, food service management and nutrition science areas relevant to dietetic practice. Research projects can include cross-sectional surveys, nutritional epidemiology or clinical trials, qualitative research, systematic literature reviews, or laboratory-based projects and are conducted within the University or within the facilities of the approved external supervisor. Students will gain skills in development of a research protocol; conference abstract and presentation; and write the final report in the form of a manuscript for publication.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	24
Prerequisites ?	NTDT5503 and NTDT5601 and (NTDT5602 or FMHU5001) and NTDT5604 and NTDT5305 and NTDT5307 and NTDT5608
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Allman-Farinelli, margaret.allman-farinelli@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Merryl Ireland, merryl.ireland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Margaret Allman-Farinelli, margaret.allman-farinelli@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Assessment 5: Supervisor’s assessment Students critical thinking, dedication to project and scientific writing	35%	STUVAC Due date: 29 May 2023 at 23:59	Student is assessed on the 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1: Project proposal oral presentation Formal presentation of background and methods to project	0%	Week 04 Due date: 13 Mar 2023 at 23:59	3 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Project proposal written task Background, methods and bibliography for project	0%	Week 05 Due date: 20 Mar 2023 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3: Final report oral presentation Oral presentation with questions at end of talk	15%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2023 at 08:30	10 minutes per student
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 4: Final report written task Written as a paper for journal submission. Follow journal directions	50%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59	Up to 5000 word paper
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

All assessments are compulsory
Assessment 1: Project proposal oral presentation: Each student is to also prepare a maximum of 5 PowerPoint slides for a 3-minute presentation of their project proposal.
Assessment 2: Project proposal written task: Students are required to submit a research project proposal containing the following: (i) Background (include relationships between your project and existing research on the topic); (ii) Aim(s); and (iii) Methods (include the study design, e.g. systematic literature review).
Assessment 3: Final report oral presentation: The time allowed is 8 minutes for presentation, and 2 minutes for questions. If working as a pair, 16 minutes for the talk and 4 for questions are allowed and 24 minutes for the talk and 6 for questions for the group of three students. This is an opportunity to present the main findings of the research project rather than all data, which has been collected during the semester.
Assessment 4: Final report written task: The final report should be written in the form of a manuscript acceptable for publication in an academic journal. Students are advised that scientific writing is time consuming and 3-4 weeks should be allocated for this task. Supervisors are to advise students as to which academic journal would be most appropriate for their project.The final report must be formatted according to the author guidelines/instructions set out by the selected journal. All pages must be numbered. Additional material, if necessary, may be presented in an appendix. It is not appropriate to use the DA logo on slides or on written material.
Assessment 5: Supervisor report

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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	Students in this range show performance from excellent (85-94) to exceptional (>95) and are capable of a PhD and exceed expectations for all learning outcomes
Distinction	75 - 84	The majority of MND project students will perform in this range with very good performances but perhaps less independence and critical thinking skills than HD but excelling in a majority of competencies for the learning outcomes
Credit	65 - 74	Students in this range typically demonstrate competence and may excel in some but not all areas of research performance and unit learning outcomes
Pass	50 - 64	Students meet the learning outcomes but do not excel
Fail	0 - 49	When you do not 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 the final written report task students will be penalised at 5% for each day late.*Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. 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. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks 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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction lecture	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	SLR session 1 with librarian	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	SLR session 2 with librarian	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Students present their project to the UoS coordinator and the rest of the class	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Scientific writing workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Students present their final work to the class; supervisors and unit of study coordinator	Lecture (7.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are expected to work normal full-time working hours (i.e. 35 hours per week) Monday to Friday during semester. Any deviations from these working hours including student leave, late/early start dates, or early completion dates are at the discretion of supervisors.

Referencing style: The final report should follow the referencing style of the journal but the default is Vancouver for most. See the library guide for more detail.

https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476168

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

font: use Times New Roman 12 point or as indicated by journal
double line spacing
margins: 2.5cm each side
use page numbers
refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

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 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

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. formulate a research question and research the specific topic
LO2. collect and interpret data
LO3. prepare an article in the style for a scientific journal
LO4. prepare an abstract for conference presentation
LO5. integrate their own data into the existing body of 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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) - 1. Domain 1. Professional Practice 1.1.1. Operates within the individual’s and the profession’s scope of practice, seeks assistance and refers to other services as necessary 1.1.2. Shows a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning 1.1.3. Consistently demonstrates reflective practice in collaboration with supervisors, peers and mentors 1.1.5. Accepts responsibility for and manages, implements and evaluates own emotions, personal health and wellbeing 1.1.6. Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability and resilience 1.3.1. Uses negotiation and conflict-resolution skills when required 1.3.2. Develops and maintains a credible professional role by commitment to excellence of practice 1.3.3. Seeks, responds to and provides effective feedback 1.3.4. Participates in supervision, teaching and mentoring processes with peers, students and colleagues 1.3.5. Demonstrates initiative by being proactive and developing solutions to problems 2.1.4. Applies problem-solving skills to create realistic solutions to nutrition problems or issues 3.1.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research, evaluation and quality-management methods to advance the practice of dietetics 4.2.3. Displays effective active listening, interviewing and interpersonal skills to better understand perspectives of clients, other professionals, key stakeholders and partners to inform approaches and influence change 4.3.2. Participates in collaborative decision-making, shared responsibility, and shared vision within teams at an individual, organisational and systems level
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) - 1.4.1. Applies organisational, business and management skills in the practice of nutrition and dietetics 1.4.2. Utilises outcomes-based systems and tools to evaluate and assure quality of practice based on agreed goals, and revises practice accordingly 1.4.3. Identifies and assesses risks, incidents and errors, follows relevant protocols, and develops basic risk, incident and error management strategies for services 1.4.4. Utilises relevant technology and equipment efficiently, effectively and safely 2.1.1. Adopts a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice 3.1. Conducts research, evaluation, and quality-management processes 3.1.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research, evaluation and quality-management methods to advance the practice of dietetics 3.1.2. Applies ethical processes to research, evaluation, and quality management 3.1.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and quality-management data 3.1.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, evaluation, and quality-management findings 3.1.5. Translates the implications of research findings for dietetic practice, advocacy and key stakeholders
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) - 3.1.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and quality-management data 3.1.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, evaluation, and quality-management findings 3.1.5. Translates the implications of research findings for dietetic practice, advocacy and key stakeholders
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) - 3.1.2. Applies ethical processes to research, evaluation, and quality management 3.1.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and quality-management data 3.1.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, evaluation, and quality-management findings 3.1.5. Translates the implications of research findings for dietetic practice, advocacy and key stakeholders 4.1.2. Uses a range of communication methods to communicate clearly and concisely to a range of audiences, adapting or co-creating communication messages for specific audiences where appropriate 4.1.4. Translates technical information into practical messaging that can be easily understood and used by clients, other professionals, key stakeholders, partners, and members of the public 4.2.1. Shares information with and acts as a resource person for colleagues, community and other agencies
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) - 1.2.1. Exercises professional duty of care in accordance with relevant codes of conduct, ethical requirements, and other accepted protocols 1.2.2. Demonstrates integrity, honesty and fairness 1.2.3. Prepares, stores and transmits accurate and timely documentation according to accepted standards 3. Domain 3. Research Practice 3.1. Conducts research, evaluation, and quality-management processes 3.1.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research, evaluation and quality-management methods to advance the practice of dietetics 3.1.2. Applies ethical processes to research, evaluation, and quality management 3.1.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and quality-management data 3.1.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, evaluation, and quality-management findings 3.1.5. Translates the implications of research findings for dietetic practice, advocacy and key stakeholders 4.3.2. Participates in collaborative decision-making, shared responsibility, and shared vision within teams at an individual, organisational and systems level 4.3.3. Guides and supports team members and peers

National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2021) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1.1		Operates within the individual’s and the profession’s scope of practice, seeks assistance and refers to other services as necessary
1.1.2		Shows a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning
1.1.3		Consistently demonstrates reflective practice in collaboration with supervisors, peers and mentors
1.1.5		Accepts responsibility for and manages, implements and evaluates own emotions, personal health and wellbeing
1.1.6		Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability and resilience
1.2.1		Exercises professional duty of care in accordance with relevant codes of conduct, ethical requirements, and other accepted protocols
1.2.2		Demonstrates integrity, honesty and fairness
1.2.3		Prepares, stores and transmits accurate and timely documentation according to accepted standards
1.3.1		Uses negotiation and conflict-resolution skills when required
1.3.2		Develops and maintains a credible professional role by commitment to excellence of practice
1.3.3		Seeks, responds to and provides effective feedback
1.3.4		Participates in supervision, teaching and mentoring processes with peers, students and colleagues
1.3.5		Demonstrates initiative by being proactive and developing solutions to problems
1.4.1		Applies organisational, business and management skills in the practice of nutrition and dietetics
1.4.2		Utilises outcomes-based systems and tools to evaluate and assure quality of practice based on agreed goals, and revises practice accordingly
1.4.3		Identifies and assesses risks, incidents and errors, follows relevant protocols, and develops basic risk, incident and error management strategies for services
1.4.4		Utilises relevant technology and equipment efficiently, effectively and safely
2.1.1		Adopts a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice
2.1.4		Applies problem-solving skills to create realistic solutions to nutrition problems or issues
3.1.1		Identifies and selects appropriate research, evaluation and quality-management methods to advance the practice of dietetics
3.1.2		Applies ethical processes to research, evaluation, and quality management
3.1.3		Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and quality-management data
3.1.4		Accurately documents and disseminates research, evaluation, and quality-management findings
3.1.5		Translates the implications of research findings for dietetic practice, advocacy and key stakeholders
4.1.2		Uses a range of communication methods to communicate clearly and concisely to a range of audiences, adapting or co-creating communication messages for specific audiences where appropriate
4.1.4		Translates technical information into practical messaging that can be easily understood and used by clients, other professionals, key stakeholders, partners, and members of the public
4.2.1		Shares information with and acts as a resource person for colleagues, community and other agencies
4.2.3		Displays effective active listening, interviewing and interpersonal skills to better understand perspectives of clients, other professionals, key stakeholders and partners to inform approaches and influence change
4.3.2		Participates in collaborative decision-making, shared responsibility, and shared vision within teams at an individual, organisational and systems level
4.3.3		Guides and supports team members and peers

Responding to student feedback

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

Thank you for your valuable feedback. Some minor changes have been made based on last year's feedback.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NTDT5310: Nutrition Research Project

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect