VET TECH 1030RW - Evidence-based Veterinary Technology I

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

The career of Veterinary Technologists involves life-long learning and requires the ability to gather, evaluate and synthesise new information based on scientific research and endeavour. Not all sources of information are reliable and this course provides the tools to critically examine evidence, understand statistical comparisons and adopt a sceptical approach to unsubstantiated opinion and baseless claims. In the world of animal health and welfare there are many claims for remedies and treatments, some of which are based on good science and some of which are not. A Veterinary Technologist knows how to identify the trustworthy and the reliable, and how to expose the myth and the fabrication. This course will provide the budding Vet Tech with the skills to investigate and review scientific publications and apply scientific method in his or her approach to career and life.

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Course Details

Course Code	VET TECH 1030RW
Course	Evidence-based Veterinary Technology I
Coordinating Unit	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Corequisites	None although it is supported by VET TECH 1015RW, which is advised as a co-requisite or pre-requisite.
Restrictions	Available to Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students only
Assessment	Assignments and final exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Hebart

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Describe the methods that scientists use to prove or disprove hypotheses, and to publish the results.
2	Explain the meaning of the term statistical significance in relation to the results of scientific studies.
3	Write brief reports in a scientific way.
4	Apply the principles of the pyramid of evidence when evaluating veterinary treatments and changes in veterinary practices
5	Understand the factors which influence implementation of evidence to practice.Write brief reports in a scientific way.

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, 2, 3
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, 2, 3, 4, 5
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	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, 2, 3, 4, 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
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, 3

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

Students unable to attend face to face practicals must apply to the Course Coordinator for an alternative option. This must be done in advance of the scheduled face-to-face practical session.

The basis of scientific method, scientific research and reporting.

What does ‘statistical significance’ mean?

What is so good about double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials?

What are cohort studies, case control studies and cross-sectional studies and how reliable are the results?

Published reports of series of cases may be reliable, or might not. How to decide?

Should we trust single case reports, editorials, opinions, consensus reports, comparative research or in vitro research?

What are systematic reviews and meta-analyses?

Use of critical appraisal check lists to appraise published literature.

Assessing certainty in the evidence - GRADE.

Finding and using published literature.

How to write like a scientist.

Research ethics and informed consent.

Strengths and weaknesses of Evidence-based practice.

Evidence-based guidelines in veterinary practice.

Using implementation science to understand facilitators and barriers to implementation.

Specific Course Requirements

The course will be delivered as a program of 24 lectures and 12 practicals and workshops.

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

Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Hurdle Yes or No	Learning Outcome	Due
Quizzes	Formative & Summative	10%	No	1, 2, 5	Weeks 2 - 12
Assignments	Formative & Summative	90%	Yes	1, 3, 4	Weeks 2 - 12

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment Item with hurdle	% needed to meet hurdle	Is additional assessment available if student does not meet hurdle requirement	If additional assessment is available, explain what type
Assignments	Student must achieve 50% or more in total	Yes	Additional written assignment

Assessment Detail

Quizzes (10%)

A number of formative and summative quizzes consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions from lecture and practical material.

Assignments (90%)

Throughout the semester students will submit five pieces of written work to practise and reinforce the material presented in lectures, workshops and practical exercises. The weighting of each piece of work will range from 5% - 20% of the final course grade, and students will be notified in advance of the weighting of the assignment and the topic to be covered. Each written assignment will range from 500 - 1500 words in length and students will be advised in advance of the expectation for each.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

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

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

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