Administrative Contact: Dee Rapaic
Phone: +61 8 8313 3286
Email: dee.rapaic@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 5, Oliphant Building

On the successful completion of this course, the graduate should attain the cognitive skills to critically analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge, work cooperatively with peers, and be able to:
1. Assess and translate a body of knowledge of sufficient depth to begin professional practice
2. Apply research methodologies, policy and scholarly research related to oral health issues to generate a scientific journal article and
presentation
3. Demonstrate effective problem solving skills, applying logical, critical and creative thinking to a chosen area of oral health practice
4. Work both autonomously and collaboratively as a professional in the development of research outputs demonstrating effective communication, ethical principles and social responsibility

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Online resource material pertaining to Research Methods, Research proposals, formulating Research questions and developing a Learning Contract will be available.  

A variety of learning modes will be used in this course including:
·        resource sessions
·        small group meetings related to SGDE
·        on-line resources
·        research and assignments

Contact Hours

40h/semester, consisting of:

4-5 class meetings (during preclinical academic weeks)
Small group meetings (upto an hour each fortnight or as required)
Self-directed group and individual study (up to 3 hours allocated each week)

Topics Covered:
·        scientific methods and research questions
·        research/study design
·        literature review and critical analysis
·        report writing

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The University of Adelaide has committed to a pedagogical approach that incorporates several aspects of scholarship. A key component of the Beacon of Enlightenment strategic pedagogical approach is that all students commencing in 2014 will experience a "Small-Group Discovery Experience" (or SGDE for short) in at least one course in every year of their degree program.

The Core Concepts upon which the SGDE pedagogical approach is based include goals that students will discover
(or rediscover) learning as Intellectual Challenge, and develop a Scholarship of Discovery to inspire them toward learning and lifelong
learningTo accomplish this learning journey, students will develop research skills, and learning and teaching delivery modes used will require students to engage actively with their discipline content.

This active learning process will engender a commitment to knowledge for its own sake, and consequently learning to follow an investigation, in a disciplined fashion, wherever it may lead.You will undertake SDGE to explore a new or expanding area of practice in an oral related area. Working with an experienced academic, you will undertake small group work as a collaborative projec culminating in the group developing a scientific journal article and presenting and sharing theirresearch with the larger class.

Research proposal
Formative/Summative Week 7, 
semester 1 10%
Learing outcomes 1-4

Progress report
Formative/Summative
Week 13, semester 1   15%
Learning outcomes 1-4

Journal article and reflection
Formative/Summative
Week 9, semester 2    50%
Learning outcomes 1-4

Presentation
Summative
Exam week, semester 2   25%Learning outcomes 1-4

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Assignment 1 - Research Proposal  (including Learning Contract)
Weighting:      10%
Length:            1000 words approx
Research proposal would include:
·          Title
·          Introduction
·          Review of the evidence base and background literature
·          Aim of the project
·         Contract table
·         Rationale for the project - description andbackground to the selected issue and how it fits with the oral healththerapy 
·         Description of the tasks/activities/placements relatedto the project
·          Key stakeholders who might be involved
·          Clarification of the support requirements(including expertise, liaison with other staff)
·          Timeline for tasks required
·          Any potential ethical issues associated with yourproject
·          Conclusion
·          Reference list 

Assignment 2 – Progress report
Weighting:      15%
Length:            2000 words approx 

Progress report would include:
·        Title
·        Introduction
·        Extended literature review: (10-15 articles: using the first literature review but adding additional information and critical analysis)
·        A review of each of the objectives and progress on work to be completed
·        SearchStrategy
·        Exclusion/InclusionCriteria
·        Timetable
·        Conclusion
·        Reference List 

Assignment 3 - Final work report
Weighting:      50%
Length:           Approx.  5000 words(no more than 5500 words) (including an electronic copy of the journal article)

TheFinal work report includes: 2 parts: 
Part A - Journal article (option 1 and option 2)
Part B - Reflection on learning contract

Title: Part A   Journal Article – option 1  
Literature based research project
Introduction: Aim:Methods(search strategy):Discussion: (20-30 articles: including and building on the first 2 iterations of the literature review)
Implications for practice
Implicationsfor research
Conclusion
References

Part A   Journal Article – option 2    
Experiment, survey or data analysis research project
Introduction:
Background: (Literature review)
Aim:
Material & Methods:
Results:
Discussion: (linking literature withyour results and interpreting your results)
Implications for practice
Implicationsfor research
Conclusion
References

Part B   Reflection on learning contract
Introduction:General overviewof project and reflection on learning and processes (use the objectivesand aims from the OHE Yearbook information as a guide)
For example:development of research skills, relevance of research to practice, developmentof critical thinking skills, team collaboration.
Overviewof each specific objective and reflection on learning and processes including a Reflective analysis: things that worked, things that didn’t work as well what could you have done differently
Conclusion
Appendices 

Assignment 4 – Oral Presentation
Weighting:      25%
Length:          15minutes + 5 minutes for questions

Information on submission process and requirements will be available through MyUni

Each year we ask students to complete an assessment of their learning and teaching experience. Teaching staff reflect on the SELT, the outcomes achieved and processes implemented to identify necessary changes for future years. These are important tools in the Dental School’s aim for excellence in teaching and learning.The following changes have been made as a result of these processes:
•    Assessment tasks and schedule revised
•    electronic submission and marking
•    Designated scheduling of SGDE meetings