PUB HLTH 7211A - Dissertation P/T Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

This course aims to develop in students the capacity to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to carry out research, and to effectively communicate the need for, process of, and results of the research. Each student will develop a research proposal and a literature review, present a seminar regarding their research, and prepare an individual research dissertation that exhibits original investigation, analysis and interpretation. The thesis will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewed journal, with additional supporting material.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7211A
    Course Dissertation P/T Part 1
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 1 hour per fortnight supervision across two semesters, plus skills development seminars or online learning of up to five hours as required
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites PUB HLTH 5005, PUB HLTH 5006 (Credit Minimum), PUB HLTH 5007, PUB HLTH 6018, PUB HLTH 6021, PUB HLTH 7078 (Credit Minimum), PUB HLTH 7003 OL (Credit Minimum)
    Assumed Knowledge GD.Counselling & Psychotherapy
    Course Description This course aims to develop in students the capacity to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to carry out research, and to effectively communicate the need for, process of, and results of the research. Each student will develop a research proposal and a literature review, present a seminar regarding their research, and prepare an individual research dissertation that exhibits original investigation, analysis and interpretation. The thesis will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewed journal, with additional supporting material.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Teresa Burgess

    Course Coordinator: Teresa Burgess
    Phone: +61 8313 3468
    Email: teresa.burgess@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 9, AHMS Building, North Terrace

    Student & Program Support Services Hub
    Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: +61 8313 027

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course the student will be able to

    1. Successfully collaborate with colleagues and supervisor(s) in the development, design and execution of a research project.

    2. Demonstrate the skills required to conduct independent research, including the ability to conduct effective literature searches,
    critically appraise the literature, and compile information.

    3. Select and use an appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methodology to investigate a research problem or issue relevant to Counselling and/or Public Health.

    4. Identify and communicate the ethical dimensions of research and demonstrate the skills and attitudes of an ethical researcher.

    5. Use appropriate communication style and terminology to present evidence-based ideas effectively, whether within a research seminar or conference presentation, or via academic writing.
    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 - 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
    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, 4, 5
    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 - 3, 5
    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
    1, 2, 4
    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 - 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Access to bibliographic databases and peer-reviewed journals and relevant software for analysis.
    Recommended Resources
    None
    Online Learning
    None
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is one where independent research is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom the student meets fortnightly across two semesters.

    Where a student has not previously acquired specific skills that support efficient research (eg search strategies, organising data) they will participate in appropriate workshops or on-line learning, early in their period of enrolment (ie in the first half of the first semester of a full-time enrolment).
    Workload

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

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

    The research dissertation is a 12 unit course, and this is equivalent to a full-time commitment of one semester (generally 40 hours
    per week over an extended semester of five months) or half-time over two semesters (20 hours per week over ten months).

    Learning Activities Summary
    On-line resources or workshops to assist in the development of preliminary skills (eg Endnote, Word for long documents) will be made available to students to support their research.

    1. Dissertation Proposal: To be lodged by four weeks prior to the start of the first semester of enrolment

    2. Ethics Application: If applicable, to be lodged as soon as practical, preferably prior to enrolment

    3. Independent Research: Undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor

    4. Literature Review: A literature review of about 4,000 words is to be prepared, to provide context for the research, and identify the gaps in current knowledge to be addressed in the research. 

    5. Seminar Presentation: About a month before submission for a full-time enrolment, and mid-second semester for a part-time enrolment, a seminar is presented regarding the research undertaken.

    6. Written Dissertation: The results of the research are submitted in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (between 2,500 and 7,000 words depending on the author guidelines for the chosen journal); or, if negotiated with the course coordinator, a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words


    Specific Course Requirements
    None
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • 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


    Task

    Due

    Weighting

    Course learning Outcomes

    Research Proposal Due 4 weeks prior to semester commencement 0% 1 - 5
    Literature Review Due Week 5* 20% 2, 4, 5
    Oral presentation Due Week 12* 10% 1 - 5
    Journal article/dissertation Due Week 13* 70% 1 - 5

    *Dates will be negotiated independently with part time students.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    None
    Assessment Detail
    Dissertation Research Proposal: There are two options for the presentation of the Dissertation Research Proposal:

    1. Students who successfully complete PUB HLTH 7300OL ‘Developing a Research Proposal’ in the semester prior to enrolling in the Dissertation and present a Student Learning Agreement signed by their supervisor indicating willingness to supervise the research proposed in PUB HLTH 7300OL are deemed to have presented their Dissertation Research Proposal.

    2.  Students may present a Dissertation Research Proposal of about 1000 words excluding references, together with a Student Learning Agreement signed by their supervisor indicating willingness to supervise the research proposed. This proposal must be submitted 4 weeks prior to the start of the first semester of enrolment. 
     
    Literature Review:  4,000 words. The Literature Review should extend the work of the research proposal and provide the context for the research, clearly specifying existing research gaps. It should also include discussion of the significance and innovation of the proposed research, including how the research will advance the field, fill knowledge gaps, or address specific challenges or roadblocks, and how it is unique and new.
    Students should submit a copy of their completed research proposal together with the Literature Review.

    Oral presentation: Students will present a 15 minute summary of their research projects including background, hypotheses,
    approach/methodology, results and conclusions. This task will be scheduled for week 12 of the course.  All students are
    required to attend all presentations by students enrolled in the course.

    Written Dissertation: The results of the research are submitted in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (between 2,500 and 7,000 words depending on the author guidelines for the chosen journal) or, if negotiated with the course coordinator, a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words.
    Submission
    All assessment tasks should be submitted via MyUni.

    All assessment pieces must be submitted by the specified time on the agreed due date. You should retain a printed copy of the assignment submitted. Feedback will be provided on the marked assessment pieces.

    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission.  Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds.  Supporting documentation must be provided at the time a student requests an extension.  Without documentation, extensions will not be granted.  Late requests for extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged.

    Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation.  The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact on the student.  Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits.  In the case of late assignments where no extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted.  If an assignment that is 2 days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%.  If that same assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late.

    Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.

    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.

    Resubmission
    If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/process/ ).  Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with Course Co-ordinator(s) in the first instance.  This must be done within 10 business days of the date of notification of the result.  Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Coordinator and will
    only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons

    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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