DENT 4005 - Research Methods & Ethics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

The material presented is designed to assist students to develop research skills. The series of seminars, delivered in Semester 1, provides an appreciation of the scientific method and of ethics as well as practical aspects of biostatistics, experimental design, research methodology, laboratory safety and infection control, use of computers and bibliographic databases, preparation of initial research proposal, evaluation of research papers, scientific writing and presentation of research findings.

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Course Details

Course Code	DENT 4005
Course	Research Methods & Ethics
Coordinating Unit	Dental
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week (2 hour seminar, 1 hour supervisor meeting)
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
Prerequisites	Satisfactory completion of suitable undergraduate program subject to approval by Head of School or to B.Sci Dent students who have successfully completed Dental Science and Practice III
Assessment	Research Proposal, Research Proposal Presentation, and Literature Review

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Denice Higgins

Course Timetable

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

Online modules and quizzes. Including;

Introduction to research
Research Methods
Identify the research question
Literature review
Ethical and other issues
Developing a research proposal
Collecting and managing data
Basic biostatistical methods
Presentation of data

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Work effectively as an individual to plan and deliver outcomes.
2. Work effectively in teams in small group and research contexts.
3. Communicate scientific information including research context, approach, findings and significance clearly and concisely in written and spoken English.
4. Critically interpret, evaluate and synthesise understanding of background literature, and critically interpret and evaluate the methodology used and results obtained in a research context.
5. Understand and demonstrate professional and ethically-appropriate research principles and workplace behaviours.
6. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge, and advanced research skills including competency in investigative techniques and technologies relating to one or more disciplines in dental science.

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)	4 & 6
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	4 & 6
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	2,3,& 4
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1-6
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	5
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

Learning Resources

Required Resources

A list of resourses will be provided by the Coordinator (if required).

Recommended Resources

A list of resourses will be provided by the Coordinator (if required).

Online Learning

Recorded Seminars will be available on MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Online modules
Supervisor supported review meetings.
Student presentations of research protocols at end of Semester.
Self directed learning.

Workload

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

5 hours per week

Learning Activities Summary

Weekly 1 hour seminars.

Student presentations of research protocols.

Supervisor Review meetings.

Specific Course Requirements

None

Small Group Discovery Experience

The program is largely SGDE.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Literature Review (assessed by supervisors) 40%

A focussed and comprehensive review of relevant literature (approx. 8000 words, excluding references) directly related to the research proposal.

Research Proposal or Grant application (assessed by supervisors) 40%

Students are required to compose a proposal, outlining their Honours research project. This will be undertaken with appropriate guidance from their Supervisor (s) and utilise the learning from the RME seminars. The proposal will be a maximum of 3000 words (excluding references).

Research Proposal Presentation (assessed by School academic staff) 20%

Students are required to deliver an oral presentation (of approximately 20 minutes including questions) regarding their Research Proposal in front of an audience. Students will be assessed by two academic staff examiners, independent of the supervisor panel, using an existing assessment rubric.

Assessment Related Requirements

None

Assessment Detail

Literature Review
A focussed and comprehensive review of relevant literature (approx. 8000 words, excluding references) directly related to the research proposal.

Research Proposal
Students are required to compose a proposal, outlining their Honours research project. This will be undertaken with appropriate guidance from their Supervisor (s) and utilise the learning from the RME seminars. The proposal will be a maximum of 3000 words (excluding references).

Research Proposal Presentation
Students are required to deliver an oral presentation (of approximately 30 minutes including questions) regarding their Research Proposal in front of an audience. Students will be assessed by two academic staff examiners, independent of the supervisor panel, using an existing assessment rubric.

Submission

Details regarding Assessment Submission will be provided by the Co-ordinator via MyUni.

Course Grading

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

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator