PHARM 7022EX - Research Project in Addictions

External - Trimester 2 - 2015

This course/module is designed to allow students to participate in the research process. Students will be given the opportunity under supervision to complete a small research project. The submitted written text will be a minimum of 10,000 words in length, and is required to demonstrate a critical knowledge of the chosen topic area. The ability to apply scientific scrutiny to a topic related to aspects of drug and alcohol aetiology, treatment, prevention, public health or policy as identified by the programme team will be required. The research project may involve original data collection, secondary analysis of previously collected data sets, or other quantitative or qualitative research methods. The necessary defining feature is that the research project should demonstrate an appropriate level of academic rigor and understanding of the scientific implications of the findings of the project. Students will need to demonstrate competence in the integration and analysis of data to further the translation of this knowledge into more effective policies and practices, in keeping with the stated aims of the programme

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHARM 7022EX
    Course Research Project in Addictions
    Coordinating Unit Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology
    Term Trimester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s External
    Units 6
    Contact Online
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to M.SciAddictSt, GradCert & GradDip in International Addiction Studies students only
    Course Description This course/module is designed to allow students to participate in the research process. Students will be given the opportunity under supervision to complete a small research project. The submitted written text will be a minimum of 10,000 words in length, and is required to demonstrate a critical knowledge of the chosen topic area. The ability to apply scientific scrutiny to a topic related to aspects of drug and alcohol aetiology, treatment, prevention, public health or policy as identified by the programme team will be required. The research project may involve original data collection, secondary analysis of previously collected data sets, or other quantitative or qualitative research methods. The necessary defining feature is that the research project should demonstrate an appropriate level of academic rigor and understanding of the scientific implications of the findings of the project. Students will need to demonstrate competence in the integration and analysis of data to further the translation of this knowledge into more effective policies and practices, in keeping with the stated aims of the programme
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Femke Buisman-Pijlman

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Schedule
    Week 1 Topic 1
    Week 2 Topic 2
    Week 3 Topic 3
    Week 4 Topic 4
    Week 5 Topic 5
    Week 6 Topic 6
    Week 7 Topic 7
    Week 8 Topic 8
    Week 9 Topic 9
    Week 10 Topic 10
    Week 11 Topic 11
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    STUDY MATERIAL
     
    Each week new material is released that you will work through. Your first focus should be on the Topic outline as this describes what you need to master on a certain topic and what information is available to you. Each study topic is comprised of the following components:

    • learning objectives
    • revision questions
    • concept lecture
    • readings
    • quiz to test your understanding (not graded)
    • discussion forum
    This course is less structured as everyone works on their own project.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The expected workload for the course is 20-25 hours a week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The following topics may be used during this course to conduct your research and prepare your research thesis. You will work independently on e.g. a (secondary) data analysis or meta-analysis. You will be supervised by an academic from one of the three universities who is an expert on addictions.

    Topic 1:  Planning
    Topic 2:  Setting the scene and defining the question
    Topic 3:  Exploring methods and data
    Topic 4:  Confirming methods
    Topic 5:  Compile and assess your data
    Topic 6:  Analysis time
    Topic 7:  More analysis and compilation of results
    Topic 8:  Writing up your results
    Topic 9:  Discussion and conclusions
    Topic 10:  Report writing
    Topic 11:  Final writing and proof-reading
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Online Tests Formative

    Weeks 1-11

    Research Project Paper  Summative

    Week 12

    100%
    Assessment Detail
    FORMATIVE

    Formative assessment tasks are provided in the form of online tests to help you learn and improve your level of understanding of the course material. “Formative” means that the result of the assessment is not included in the calculation of the final mark for the course. In this course, students will be required to provide, at minimum, a draft outline of their introduction by the end of week 4, stating the gaps in the existing research and a first indication of their actual research question.

    SUMMATIVE

    In this course/module, summative assessment consists of the mark for the final research project alone. Your research project needs to be a minimum of 10,000 words in length, and no longer than 15,000 words. These word counts do not include references and/or appendices. It should demonstrate a scholarly knowledge of the literature, but also engagement with the data you have analysed.
    Submission
    WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

    You will receive and submit your written assignments electronically via the Assignment section in Blackboard or via email if you are instructed to do so. In each course where written assignments are required, you will receive specific instructions as to the manner in which you will be expected to make assignment submissions.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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