PAEDIAT 4400A - Honours Research Project - Paediatrics Pt 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

This course is designed for students to develop specific knowledge and skills in a chosen research field as well as general skills in working independently, critical reasoning, scientific writing and presentation. Students undertake a research project. The overall objective of the program is for students to demonstrate a deep understanding and interpretation of their subject area and the ability to clearly and thoroughly present their project

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PAEDIAT 4400A
    Course Honours Research Project - Paediatrics Pt 1
    Coordinating Unit Women's and Children's Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 36 hours per week workload including time spent on the research project and preparation of assessment tasks (proposal, seminars and thesis)
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites Completion of an approved degree or successful completion of 3 years of the MBBS program (or equivalent with approval of Head of School). Enrolment of students from the MBBS program requires prior approval from the MBBS Curriculum Committee
    Corequisites Research Skills in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Honours) (SPRH 4300); Literature Review ? O&G and Paediatrics (Honours) (OB&GYNAE4002)
    Restrictions B.Health Sciences (Honours) or B. Medical Science (Honours) in the Discipline of Paediatrics
    Assessment Research Progress seminar 7.5%, Thesis 70%, Final seminar 22.5%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Kathryn Gatford

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Conceive, develop and execute an experiment or series of experiments to answer a novel
    research question, under the guidance of a research supervisor.
    2 Conduct research using basic research techniques and the scientific method appropriately.
    3 Collect, store, and maintain experimental data and research records rigorously and methodically in accordance with the
    Australian Code for Responsible Practice of Research.
    4 Identify and evaluate methodological issues and define the important elements required to solve them.
    5 Critically interpret and evaluate the background literature and own research project including the methodology used and the
    results obtained in a research context.
    6 Communicate scientific information including research context, approach, findings and significance clearly and concisely in
    written and spoken English.
    7 Work effectively in groups and individually.
    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, 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, 4, 5
    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
    1, 6, 7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    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
    2, 3
    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
    1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No single textbook covers the material to be considered during this course. All studentsare required to locate and evaluate the literature that is relevant to theirproject. This will primarily consist of peer-reviewed literature journalarticles relevant to the area of the research project.
    Online Learning
    Course material including submission of assessment will be provided and managed via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students will work within research groups to develop, conduct and evaluate individual research projects, and to prepare written and oral presentations, which will be presented to peers and assessors. Research activities will initially be carried out with direct supervision of the supervisor and/or other research laboratory members but is expected to progress to performing independent work under broad or no direct supervision.
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    This course is designed for students to develop specific knowledge and skills in a chosen research field as well asgeneral skills in working independently, critical reasoning, scientific writingand presentation. Students undertake a research project. The overall objectiveof the program is for students to demonstrate a deep understanding andinterpretation of their subject area and the ability to clearly and thoroughlypresent their project.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Enrolment of students from the MBBS program requires prior approval from the MBBS curriculum committee.

    Out-of-hours work, police check, vaccinations or field work may be required for specific research projects.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The course is a small group discovery experience. Students will work individually on research projects, supervised byresearch leaders to undertake research training and research projects, withinthe larger context of a research group. Conducting an Honours Research projectunder guidance of a research group leader involves at least weekly contact withproject discussion with the supervisor. Honours students will discover newknowledge during the course of their projects.
  • 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
    Written
    research proposal
    Formative Varoius due dates through out the year Nil 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
    Research proposal seminar Formative Nil 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Research
    progress seminar
    Summative 7.5% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Thesis Summative 70% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Final
    seminar
    Summative 22.5% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Assessment Detail
    Three summative assessment tasks are designed to evaluate and provide feedback on students’ acquired skills relating
    to research aptitude and knowledge of their field, as well as written and verbal presentation style.

    1.    Research Progress Seminar (7.5%)
    Oral presentation of 15 mins followed by 5 mins of questions.
     
    2.  Thesis (5000 words, 70%)
    Manuscript style presentation of research project results. Emphasis of assessment for this component will focus
    on demonstrated aptitude for problem solving, technical skills and accomplishments. Journal styles should be nominated by each student in consultation with the supervisor.

    3.    Final Seminar (20 minute oral presentation followed by 10 mins of questions, 22.5%)
    Oral presentation and "Defence" of the year's experimental project.

    Feedback and marks will be returned to students within 4 weeks of submission of each task or seminar (including
    formative assessments), in order to provide formative feedback throughout the year. 


    Submission
    Written assessment tasks (thesis) should be submitted via Email to sprh.l_and_t@adelaide.edu.au by 5pm on the due date,as
    a .doc, .docx or PDF file. When assignments are submitted they will automatically be checked for plagiarism through the TurnItIn database on MyUni, which also includes copies of previously submitted work.

    Slides for seminars should be submitted to the SPRH Learning and Teaching Email above by 5pm on day prior to thescheduled
    seminar. Students are reminded to also bring a copy of their seminar to their session on USB, and should be present at least 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time to check slides.

    Extensions to submission dates may be granted for medical/personal reasons at the discretion of the course coordinator. Assignments will not be able to be resubmitted.

    Late submissions will accrue a penalty of 10% of the possible grade for each calendar day or part day overdue, unless an
    extension has been approved prior to the due dat
    Course Grading

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

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    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
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