ANIML SC 2520RW - Research Methodology for Animal Sciences II

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course is concerned with understanding and application of, the scientific method in biological research, and in particular, the animal sciences. The course has a foundation in the philosophy of science. Particular emphasis is given to the application of statistical hypothesis testing, which is explored in a series of case studies. In addition, research skills in proposal preparation, project management, teamwork, presentations skills and publication writing are developed in the context of scientific research.

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Course Details

Course Code	ANIML SC 2520RW
Course	Research Methodology for Animal Sciences II
Coordinating Unit	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	STATS 1000 or STATS 1004
Incompatible	BIOMET 2500RW, BIOMET 2500WT
Assessment	Workshop assessment, practical assessments, assignments, theory exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Hebart

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Develop scientific hypotheses
2	Applu the principles & practices of experimental design
3	Demonstrate the use selected statistical methods: correlation, regression (simple linear, polynomial, multiple linear), general linear models (with interactions), analysis of categorical variables (contingency tables)
4	Perform project management in the context of planning and executing a research project
5	Demonstrate effective written, oral and graphical presentation skills
6	Work in small groups to design, conduct, and analyse an experiment

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1, 2, 3, 5
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	4, 5, 6
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	2, 3
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	4, 6
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	4, 6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There is no required text book for this course. Sources used for all learning activities will be referenced and students are encouraged to not only rely on the notes given to them, but also to read more widely using these references as a starting point.

Online Learning

MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:
2 x 1hr lectures per week
1 x 3hr computer practical sessions per week
1 x 1hr workshop per week
Students will receive lecture, practical and tutorial notes online.

Workload

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

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Introduction Develop a Research Question
Week 2	Design a Research Project Produce and present a research proposal for funding
Week 3	Experimental Design and Power Specific Designs
Week 4	Specific Designs
Week 5	Distributions Messages from Commercial Un-Replicated Data Sets
Week 6	Manage, Summarise and Present Data Explore Data & Test Hypotheses
Week 7	Analyse Data
Week 8	Assumptions Interpreting Data, and Mathematical Techniques
Week 9	Interpret data, Understanding Interactions Report and Discuss Results
Week 10	Produce a Final Report/Paper Validating Models
Week 11	Qualitative Research
Week 12	Non-Parametric Models Summary

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

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

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Type of assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle (Yes/No)	Outcomes being assessed
Workshop assessment	Formative Summative	0% 5%		2,3,5
Practical assessments	Summative	10%		1,2,3,5
Assignments	Summative	40%		1-6
Theory exam	Summative	45%	Yes	1,2,3

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at practicals and tutorials is compulsory. Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a class by submitting the application form, with appropriate supporting documentation, to the Course Co-ordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/forms/savs-allowed-leaveofabsence-tute-prac.pdf

Assessment Item with hurdle	% needed or requirement to meet hurdle	Is additional assessment available if student does not meet hurdle requirement? Yes or No	Details of additional assessment, if available
Theory Exam	50%	Yes	Additional examination and/or an additional statistical analysis assessment

Assessment Detail

Tutorials (5%): Tutorial mark is based on individual contribution to each session during the semester. This may include short quizzes that the students are able to use for formative assessment to determine their current levels of understanding of concepts.

Practicals (10%): four (4) assessments are to be submitted throughout the semester. These are submitted at the beginning of the next practical session.

Assignments (40% total): three (3) assignments are to be submitted, worth 15%, 15% and 10% of the final assessment, respectively. A presentation will be required for the first assignment.

Theory Exam (45%): Students will be allowed to take calculators and one (1) A4 page with writing on both sides into the exam.

Submission

Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/

Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks must be submitted by the stated deadlines. There will be a penalty for late submission of assessment tasks: the submitted work will be marked ‘without prejudice’ and 10% of the obtained mark will be deducted for each working day (or part of a day) that an assessment task is late, up to a maximum penalty of 50% of the mark attained. An examiner may elect not to accept any assessment task that a student wants to submit after that task has been marked and feedback provided to the rest of the class.

Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.

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

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator