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

Timetable details are located on MyUni.

1	Identify a public health problem suitable for scientific investigation
2	Situate that problem within the relevant literature and existing evidence and identify gaps in the evidence about that problem (i.e. things worthy of further research)
3	Use appropriate online databases of research evidence and reference management software
4	Apply ethical principles of research to shape or modify the research proposal
5	Present a persuasive credible argument regarding the merit of a proposed research study

There is no required resource for this course, but see recommended resources.  Other resources will be available via MyUni and may include: journal articles; government reports; video resources; online data bases; web-based tutorials and activities.

O’Leary, Z. (2017). The essential guide to doing your research project (2nd ed.). Sage. ISBN 978-1-4462-5897-2

Creswel, J. W. (2014). A concise introduction to mixed methods research. Sage.  ISBN-13: 978-1483359045

This course will be offered completely online.

This course will be offered completely online.

Online learning modules
Online learning modules will cover discrete aspects of the development of a research protocol. Modules will consist of a topic overview (and an optional diagnostic quiz , and a portfolio of various resources designed to broaden student understanding of the topic and any relevant technology. Student learning will be self-directed. Students may undertake a diagnostic quiz to assess their baseline understanding of the subject matter, and complete a formative quiz at the end of specific modules.

Online discussion boards
Students will be able to post questions and answers to a discussion board associated with each of the modules. This will be monitored by the course coordinator but students will be encouraged to answer each others' questions and learn more about each others' research.

Peer assessment & feedback
Students will be able to provide feedback about each others' research. Online asynchronous or synchronous discussion will be facilitated through MyUni using discussion boards, Zoom (video conferencing software) or similar. Face to face and/or one-on-one meetings may be possible subject to scheduling.

Up to 6 hours per week online plus 3 hours per week preparation.

There is a series of modules for students to progress through over the duration of the course. Each module is preceded by a topic overview and diagnostic quiz. The module consists of a package of resources relevant to all aspects of the topic.
Topics will include:
- Identifying topics for research
- Searching the literature
- Managing the search yield
- Interpreting and assessing the quality of the literature in the context of the topic
- Presenting and synthesizing evidence
- Developing a research question
- Ethical considerations and processes

Students will be allocated to an advisor and research topic prior to the commencement of the course.

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Module quizzes	Formative	0%	1-5
Written report - search outcomes	Formative and Summative	15%	1-5
Written report - evaluation and synthesis	Summative	25%	1-5
Written report - proposal justification	Summative	40%	1-5
Presentation of research pitch	Summative	10%	1-5
Peer review/feedback of research pitch	Summative	5%	1-5
Participation	Summative	5%	1-5

Online quizzes: 0%
There will be online quizzes for some modules that may be diagnostic (taken at the beginning of the module) or assessment (taken after working through the relevant parts of the module). The questions will typically be multiple choice and will cover core concepts addressed in provided resources.

Written report - Literature Search Outcomes: 40% (1000 words excluding tables, figures, and reference list)
This assignment should be attempted after successful completion of Modules 1-5 and is comprised of two parts.

In Part 1 (15%), students will identify a research topic after discussing with supervisor(s), then develop a literature search strategy, key words and search grid, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and yield from literature search, using tables and figures to summarise key information. Feedback on this may be used to inform Part 2.
In Part 2 (25%), students will work with a fellow student to screen a subset of identified documents, and then evaluate and synthesise these. This report will assess students' ability to collaborate, to evaluate and summarise the literature, and identify the relevance to their proposed topic (including strengths, weakness, and knowledge gaps).

Written report - Proposal justification: 40% (3000 words)
This assessment should be attempted after all of the modules have been completed. The report will comprise 3000 words and situate the proposed study within the existing evidence base and identifies the research gaps that the study will fill. Students will also address the aims, objectives, background, research questions, ethical and feasibility issues, and justification for the proposed study. The work should also include the correct use of reference management software. This report will assess the students' ability to craft a compelling justification for their research, arguing for the innovation and significance of their proposed project.

Oral presentation (Pitching your research): 10%
This assignment will ask you to record and upload a presentation of your proposal as if to a funding body, with the aim to persuade them to fund your research. Overall, this 5-slide presentation will assess your ability to verbally present a compelling and professional justification for your research appropriately situated within the extant literature.

Peer review and feedback: 5%
Students will view and provide feedback on another student's oral presentation, explaining strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Participation: 5%
This reflects evidence of student engagement in their own and others' learning. It will be based on the extent of provision of peer-feedback, and the number (and quality) of contributions to discussion boards or virtual meetings/seminars.

Assignments will be submitted electronically via MyUni.

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. Extensions for the Presentation and associated peer feedback will not normally be granted, as this is a critical time period for student interaction.

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. 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.

Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students

Fully online students can access counselling services here:

Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7) 

SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7) 

Email: info@assureprograms.com.au

Go to the Study Smart Hub to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)