Overview
Medical Science Research 1 will provide you with training in research. You are required to independently undertake an investigation of a research question in an area of medical science. This research question will be fully investigated and reported in written scholarly form in Medical Science Research 2. The research question will be of significance to an area of medical science related to your course of enrolment and will be undertaken under the principal supervision of a member of that course's staff.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite Successful completion of : 48 units of credit of Level One Units AND 84 units of credit of Level Two or Level Three Units AND Enrolment in CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE and Unit Coordinator
Detailed feedback on the assessment tasks are helpful for learning.
Continue to provide detailed feedback on assessment tasks.
Feedback from SUTE and Unit Coordinator
The wide range of research areas available to complete the assessment tasks made this unit interesting.
Continue to provide students with a wide range of research areas to write their literature review and research proposal.
- Formulate a research question and specific hypotheses.
- Search, analyse and critically appraise data or textual information.
- Apply suitable bioethical principles to the proposal.
The purpose of Medical Science Research 1 & 2 is to provide the student with training in developing, conducting, and communicating research across theoretical and applied domains. This requires students to undertake an investigation of a research question in an area of medical science aligned with their course of enrolment and to report the investigation in written scholarly form. The research question investigated may have either theoretical or applied significance but will add to the body of discipline-specific knowledge and meet the performance criteria for the engaged research element of the appropriate professional competency standards.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Edition: 5th (2019)
Authors: Ranjit Kumar
Sage Publications Ltd.
Great Britain
ISBN: 9781526449900
Lab Software not required
Lab Software not required
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.balzer@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Welcome to the unit. Introduction to the Unit Coordinator.
Identification of available research areas and project supervisors involved.
Review of research basics and ethics:
- Definition of research
- Research paradigms
- Research process
- Rationale for conducting research in the medical sciences
- Bioethical issues
- Guidelines for ethical conduct in medical sciences research
Chapter
Research Methodology, A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. 5th Ed. Kumar, R. Sage Publications: London.
Chapter 1: Research: a way of thinking
Chapter 14: Considering ethical issues in data collection
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Finding a research topic and question:
- Identify a relevant research topic/focus
- Formulating a research question/problem
- Planning the research
- Reviewing and writing a literature review
Chapter
Chapter 2: The research process: a quick glance
Chapter 3: Reviewing the literature
Chapter 4: Formulating a research problem
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Determining your study design and basic statistics 1:
- Variables
- Measurement scales
- Constructing hypotheses
- Type 1 and 2 errors
- Sample size
Chapter
Chapter 5: Identifying variables
Chapter 6: Constructing hypotheses
Chapter 7: The research design
Chapter 13: Writing a research proposal
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Selecting a study design:
- Quantitative research
- Qualitative research
- Mixed methods
- Sampling
Chapter
Chapter 8: Selecting a study design
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Selecting a method of data collection:
1. Primary sources
- Observation
- Interview
- Questionnaires
2. Secondary sources
3. Collecting data using attitudinal scales
Chapter
Chapter 9: Selecting a method of data collection
Chapter 10: Collecting data using attitudinal scales
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part A: Due Friday Week 5 (11th April) 5:00pm AEST.
Module/Topic
No formal teaching - independent study/supervised research.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Selecting a sample:
- Validity
- Reliability
- Bias
- Time frame
- Budget constraints
Chapter
Chapter 11: Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument
Chapter 12: Selecting a sample
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Basic statistics 2 for research proposals:
- Parametric statistics
- Non-parametric statistics
- Sensitivity and specificity
- Risk
- Qualitative data analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethics:
Participant information sheet
- Consent form
- Risk appraisal
- Recruitment
- Information protection
Dissemination of results
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Communicating the results:
- Developing and using tables
- Answering the clinical question
Chapter
Chapter 17: Writing a research report
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part B: Due Friday Week 9 (16th May) 5:00pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Work on your research proposal.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Finalise writing your research proposal.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Final edits to research proposal and submission.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to MEDS14001! In this unit you will gain insight into the nature and process of research.
Please note that there are no scheduled classes for this unit, however the unit coordinator will arrange times to meet with you about your progress and assist you with developing your research topic which will be used for assessment items.
The Moodle page contains learning resources to assist you in your learning and preparation of assessments.
Your unit coordinator is Dr Anna Balzer (a.balzer@cqu.edu.au). You may use either email, Moodle forum, or phone to contact the UC with unit related queries.
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is comprised of two parts (Part A and Part B).
PART A
In research, comprehensively reviewing the current literature relating to your studies is important. It allows you to understand where your proposed research sits in the context of past work and increases your knowledge on the area you are proposing to work in. The literature review is often the first thing that is done by a research team after developing the initial idea for a research project. The gold standard for comprehensively reviewing all the available literature on a topic is a systematic review, which uses a well defined and repeatable process to collect, collate and analyse information on a topic. However these can be both expensive and time consuming.
A rapid literature review uses a defined protocol to synthesise the information on a topic, however in a much more timely manner. These also allow a certain degree of flexibility in their search and synthesis strategy compared to a systematic literature review.
In PART A of Assessment 1 you will prepare a rapid literature review plan. By completing the Prisma-P template provided, your will prepare your rapid review protocol (which will allow you to prepare for Part B of this assessment).
The content of the literature review should be discussed with your research mentor and the layout agreed upon prior to undertaking the task.
Please read the marking rubric available on the main Moodle page for the criteria and associated marks.
PART B
Based on the plan you presented in Part A, and incorporating the assessment feedback, present a rapid literature review on your topic. You will utilise the feedback from Part A to carry out your search, and to compile and analyse the literature. You will then write a 3000 word rapid literature review on your topic.
This review should quickly, but effectively, review the primary literature surrounding your chosen research topic, within the scope of your search parameters, inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Please read the marking rubric available on the main Moodle page for the criteria and associated marks.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Students are permitted to use Artificial Intelligence for this assessment in the following ways:
- developing literature search strategies
- compiling suitable literature sources and locating data
- guidance for structuring the protocol and review
- assistance in editing, improving clarity or quality
Use of Artificial Intelligence must be referenced in line with the Academic Learning Centre guidance. You submission must include a declaration on how you have used this technology.
Part A due Friday Week 5 11th April 5:00pm AEST. Part B due Friday Week 9 16th May 5:00pm AEST.
Assessments with feedback will be returned within 2 working weeks of submission.
Part A
You will be assessed on your completed rapid literature review plan. You will be marked on the following:
- Clear, well supported rationale for the study.
- Well defined objectives of the review.
- Well defined eligibility criteria including both study characteristics and publication characteristics.
- Suitable information sources and appropriate coverage dates.
- A clear and comprehensive search strategy.
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria, screening process and data extraction.
- A description of the study outcomes to be extracted from your referenced sources.
Part B
You will be marked on the following:
- Organisation and layout.
- Writing style, accuracy, grammar.
- Clear and specific title.
- Relevance of keywords.
- Clear, concise and accurate abstract.
- Effective introduction (purpose, topic, scope, significance).
- Presentation and accuracy of methods including flow diagram.
- Accurate presentation and effective analysis of data from the literature.
- Referencing and reference list.
A detailed marking rubric will be available on the Moodle site for this unit. This includes criteria to help identify your strengths and weaknesses. Specific feedback will be provided by your unit coordinator. General feedback and suggestions to improve performance will also be provided. If you require additional feedback for this task, you should contact the Unit Coordinator.
- Formulate a research question and specific hypotheses.
- Search, analyse and critically appraise data or textual information.
- Apply suitable bioethical principles to the proposal.
2 Written Assessment
One of the key requirements for starting a new research project is the generation of a detailed research proposal prior to the commencement of the work. This provides a schema for the study and is needed by stakeholders in the work, including funding bodies, universities, and industry. The information within the research proposal also helps with other applications needed for research such as ethics applications.
In this assessment task, you will be required to develop two items: a research proposal and an ethics application. Templates will be provided on the Moodle page.
The content of the research proposal should be discussed with your research mentor / Unit Coordinator and the layout agreed upon. A research proposal will usually include:
- Proposed title.
- Keywords (3-5).
- Background. You will write the draft proposal which will include an outline of the background to your research and how your reading of these articles has established the need for further research. The literature should also help inform your research question and methodology.
- Research question/aim. What is your hypothesis?
- Research design and methodology: How you will go about answering your research question.
- Timeline. Generate a Gantt chart describing how you will complete your study in term 2, including collection of data, analysis and writing the study up.
- Significance.
- Reference list.
An ethics application is required for all projects utilising either human or animal subjects, and their associated data. In some cases an ethics exemption will be more suitable - however for committees to assess this, they need all the necessary information available in an ethics application. An ethics application may include:
- Researcher information.
- Project title and project description.
- Aims and significance.
- Data collection methodology.
- Research justification.
- Participant details and recruitment or animal study details.
- Risk minimisation, benefits and harms.
- Consent.
- Data storage and confidentiality.
- Research dissemination.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Students are permitted to use Artificial Intelligence for this assessment in the following ways:
- developing literature search strategies
- compiling suitable literature sources and locating data
- guidance for structuring the protocol and review
- assistance in editing, improving clarity or quality
Use of Artificial Intelligence must be referenced in line with the Academic Learning Centre guidance. You submission must include a declaration on how you have used this technology.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
You will be marked on the following aspects:
- The research title should be clear, concise and reflect the topic.
- Keywords should reflect the topic.
- Lay person description is relevant, brief and avoids technical jargon.
- Research aim/s, significance, background to research, literature review and methodology are sound, supported by relevant, up-to-date literature from peer reviewed journals cited as evidence.
- Ethical considerations including risks, recruitment of participants, consent, information protection and dissemination of results are addressed and discussed.
- All sections of the Coursework Ethics Application are completed.
- Appropriate Participant Information Sheet, Consent Forms and other relevant documentation are included.
- In-text referencing is correctly and appropriately used and reference list supplied.
- Sustained academic voice and appropriate plain English research language used.
- Correct spelling and grammar.
A marking rubric is available to students on the unit Moodle site.
- Formulate a research question and specific hypotheses.
- Search, analyse and critically appraise data or textual information.
- Apply suitable bioethical principles to the proposal.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
