Skip to main content
Unit outline_

SDDM5314: Research 5

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In Year 3, students will continue their research project activities. At the completion of this unit of study, students present a preliminary report on their individual/group research projects. An important aim of this unit of study is to foster an evidence­based approach to clinical practice and strong inquisitive approach to learning throughout the course. Students will continue to apply skills gained in DMD 1 and DMD 2 in identifying different study types, critically appraising clinical research literature and assigning levels of evidence to published research. Students may be required to attend classes at multiple locations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Population Oral Health
Credit points 1
Prerequisites
? 
SDDM5211 and SDDM5212 and SDDM5213 and SDDM5214 and SDDM5221 and SDDM5222 and SDDM5223 and SDDM5224
Corequisites
? 
SDDM5315 and SDDM5316 and SDDM5317
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator 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 group assignment Critical appraisal assignment (for SDDM5314)
Written assessment
100% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 23:59
Written assessment
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Critical appraisal assignment (for DENT5324): to critically appraise a scientific article using a provided template; to critically appraise the components of a research article for its validity, relevance, and applicability.
  • Preliminary research project (for DENT5324): This assessment will be of the preliminary report of the individual/group research project.
  • 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

 

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
Pre-semester Overview of the Research Project IN ORIENTATION WEEK-SNanayakkara Lecture (0.5 hr) LO4 LO5
Week -02 Critical appraisal of scientific literature - SNanayakkara Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week -03 Critical appraisal of scientific literature-SNanayakkara Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Q&A Session-Critical Appraisal Assignment-SNanayakkara Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

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 1 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 20-25 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Greenhalgh, Trisha M., et al. Understanding research methods for evidence-based practice in health. John Wiley & Sons, 2019 
  • Hackshaw A et al (2006) Evidence-Based Dentistry: An Introduction. Blackwell Munksgaard, UK
  • Gordis, Leon. Epidemiology : with Student Consult Online Access. 5th ed. London: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2013

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. apply principles of evidence-based dentistry in clinical, research, and health education settings
  • LO2. appraise scientific evidence for their validity and applicability in clinical decision making
  • LO3. place your clinical research experience in context of the level of evidence spectrum, determined by the principles of evidence-based dentistry
  • LO4. analyse data and interpret research findings
  • LO5. develop academic writing skills

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
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
6.2.4. formulate and record a comprehensive, patient-centred, evidence-based oral health treatment plan
LO3
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
6.2.4. formulate and record a comprehensive, patient-centred, evidence-based oral health treatment plan

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

This Unit of Study is paired with SDDM5324.

 

For repeating students,

  1. Students will continue to work with the original research group
  2. Students should enrol in the Research UoS in the repeating year and should complete all coursework and assessment components in the unit
  3. Students should get in touch with the UoS coordinator to negotiate an alternative for the research project related assessment

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.