Course Coordinator: Prof. Peng Bi

Location: Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide. 5000
Phone: +61 8 8313 3583
Email: peng.bi@adelaide.edu.au

Student & Program Support Services Hub
Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 8313 0273

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 Public Health.
4	Identify and communicate the ethical dimensions of research and demonstrate the skills and attitudes of an ethical researcher.
5	Develop an understanding of public health competencies by undertaking professional development activities and reflecting upon the experience.
6	Use appropriate communication style and terminology to present research findings effectively in oral and written form.

Access to bibliographic databases and peer-reviewed journals and relevant software for analysis.

None

N/A

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).

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).

None

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning outcome(s) being addressed
Plan of professional activities	Formative	0%	2,4,5
Professional activities log and reflection	Summative	15%	2,4,5
Oral presentation	Summative	15%	1-5
Journal article / dissertation	Summative	70%	1-5

Plan of proposed activities: Students will prepare a plan of their proposed professional development activities.

Public health professional development: Students are required to engage in 5 hours of public health activities throughout the year demonstrating skills in either leadership, career readiness or competencies related to public health. Activities will be recorded in a log
including details about the type of activity, length of time and where the activity was undertaken. In addition to the log, a 600-700 word summary will be written reflecting upon the experience and how it has contributed to their practice as a public health professional.

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 toward the end of the second semester. 

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.

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 Co-ordinator(s) and  will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.