School of Nursing and Midwifery CHIP915 Essential Skills for Health Researchers
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School of Nursing and Midwifery
Subject Outline
CHIP915 Essential Skills for Health Researchers Autumn 2014
Section A: Subject Information
Credit Points: 6
Delivery Method: Flexible/Distance
Campus Locations: Wollongong
Pre-requisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Subject Contacts
Subject Coordinator/Lecturer
Name: Dr Sharon Bourgeois
Location: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Building 41, Room 111
Consultation mode and times: Availability is posted on the Moodle site
Telephone: 61 2 4221 5094
Email: sharon_bourgeois@uow.edu.au
eLearning Space
This subject has materials and activities available via eLearning. To access eLearning you must have
a UOW user account name and password, and be enrolled in the subject. eLearning is accessed via
SOLS (student online services). Log on to SOLS and then click on the eLearning link in the menu
column.
For information regarding the eLearning spaces please use the following link:
Moodle – http://uowblogs.com/moodlelab/files/2013/05/Moodle_StudentGuide-1petpo7.pdf
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
(a) Critically discuss concepts, processes and designs for research
(b) Critically analyse and integrate the literature relevant to a study;
(c) Formulate a researchable question
(d) Compare and contrast strengths and limitations of various research designs
(e) Identify and address ethical issues relevant to a study and an ethics application
(f) Interpret study results within the context of the research approach used and the existing body of
knowledge relevant to the study
(g) Develop a research proposal that reflects the principles of research.
Graduate Qualities
The University of Wollongong has developed five graduate qualities
(http://www.uow.edu.au/student/qualities/index.html) which it considers express valuable qualities that
are essential for UOW graduates in gaining employment and making an important contribution to
society and their chosen field. Student development of the following graduate qualities in particular
will be enhanced by their participation in this subject:
1. Informed: Have a sound knowledge of an area of study or profession and understand its
current issues, locally and internationally. Know how to apply this knowledge. Understand
how an area of study has developed and how it relates to other areas.
2. Independent learners: Engage with new ideas and ways of thinking and critically analyse
issues. Seek to extend knowledge through ongoing research, enquiry and reflection. Find and
evaluate information, using a variety of sources and technologies. Acknowledge the work and
ideas of others.
3. Problem solvers: Take on challenges and opportunities. Apply creative, logical and critical
thinking skills to respond effectively. Make and implement decisions. Be flexible, thorough,
innovative and aim for high standards.
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4. Effective communicators: Articulate ideas and convey them effectively using a range of
media. Work collaboratively and engage with people in different settings. Recognise how
culture can shape communication.
5. Responsible: Understand how decisions can affect others and make ethically informed
choices. Appreciate and respect diversity. Act with integrity as part of local, national, global
and professional communities.
Mandatory Minimum Attendance Requirements
Distance delivery: It is expected that students will allocate 12 hours per week to this subject to
complete the study guide requirements, complete your assignments and prepare for an examination
where applicable.
Flexible delivery: Dates for study days and weeks will be listed on the Online Calendar, found via the
Subject Descriptions link on the Course Handbook page. It is expected that students will allocate 12
hours per week to this subject to complete the study guide requirements, complete your assignments
and prepare for an examination where applicable.
Lecture, Tutorial, Laboratory Times
All timetable information is subject to variation. Check the latest information on the university web
timetable via the Timetable link under Study Resources on the Current Students webpage or log into
SOLS to view your personal timetable prior to attending classes, as of publishing the following
applied.
Prescribed Readings (includes eReadings)
Polit DF & Beck CT 2012. Nursing research. Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice.
9th edn. Wolters Kluwer Health. Lippincott & Williams, Sydney
Key References
See eReadings on the elearning site for additional references (as starting references).
Recommended readings are not intended as an exhaustive list, students should use the Library
catalogue and databases to locate additional resources.
Distance students studying within Australia should refer to the information and resources found via
the Library link on the UOW homepage regarding off-campus library services available.
Distance students studying outside Australia should contact their subject coordinator, as
arrangements for library services may be available within their own country.
Textbooks and Materials to be purchased by students
Textbooks
Polit DF & Beck CT 2012. Nursing research. Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice.
9th edn. Wolters Kluwer Health. Lippincott & Williams, Sydney
Materials
Nil
Recent Changes to this Subject
Change: Revision of subject content and Moodle site activities.
Reason: To augment student learning experiences
Student Support and Advice
SMAH Central
Location: 41.152
Telephone: 61 2 4221 3492
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au
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Section B: Assessment
Details of Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 Essay (Literature Review)
Format Essay
Due date 14 April 2014
Weighting 40%
Length 2000 words
Details
Literature review of a health topic of interest. Identification of a gap in the literature and
the development of a researchable question
Submission
You will submit assessments via the Turnitin assessment drop box on the subject
Moodle site. This will submit your assessment to Turnitin and you will receive a report.
Following the receipt of your Turnitin report you may revise your assessment and then
submit you final version together with the Turnitin report through the final assessment
drop box.
Complete the integrity quiz under Assessment 1 on the eLearning site which will open
the drop box for the assignment submission following successful completion of the quiz.
Name your file as follows student email username_assignment number (e.g.
its999_ass3). Access the eLearning space, locate the relevant drop box for the
assignment, click on , select your file, and click on .
Turnitin is Internet-based text-matching software which may be used for detecting
plagiarism at UOW. Please see the short video in Moodle which provides information
about the concept of plagiarism and the use of Turnitin in learning and writing skills.
Assessment 2 Research Proposal
Format Essay
Due date 26 May 2014
Weighting 60%
Length 2500 words
Details
Develop a justified research proposal based on the researchable question developed in
Assessment 1.
Submission
You will submit assessments via the Turnitin assessment drop box on the subject
Moodle site. This will submit your assessment to Turnitin and you will receive a report.
Following the receipt of your Turnitin report you may revise your assessment and then
submit you final version together with the Turnitin report through the final assessment
drop box.
Complete the integrity quiz under Assessment 1 on the eLearning site which will open
the drop box for the assignment submission following successful completion of the quiz.
.
Name your file as follows student email username_assignment number (e.g.
its999_ass3). Access the eLearning space, locate the relevant drop box for the
assignment, click on , select your file, and click on .
Turnitin is Internet-based text-matching software which may be used for detecting
plagiarism at UOW. Please see the short video in Moodle which provides information
about the concept of plagiarism and the use of Turnitin in learning and writing skills.
Assessment tasks will be marked using explicit criteria that will be provided to students prior to
submission.
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Minimum Requirements for a Pass in this Subject
To receive a clear pass in this subject a total mark of 50% or more must be achieved. In addition,
students must meet all of the minimum performance requirements as listed below. Failure to meet any
of the minimum performance requirements is grounds for awarding a Technical Fail (TF) in the subject
even where total marks accumulated are greater than 50%.
A Technical Fail (TF) grade will be awarded for the subject even where the total marks accumulated
are 50% or higher, if one or more of the following criteria are not met:
does not attempt all assessment tasks
Minimum Requirements: Student Participation
Students who do not meet minimum attendance requirements may be awarded a Technical Fail (TF)
for this subject.
Regular student participation is required through active engagement with activities, readings,
podcasts as posted on the Moodle site.
Students who do not meet minimum participation through engagement with the Moodle site activities
as identified by the Moodle site analytics may be awarded a technical fail (TF) for this subject.
Minimum Participation: Student participation at workshops is not an assessable component of this
course, but is highly recommended. Students who do not meet minimum participation requirements
may be awarded a Technical Fail (TF) for this subject.
Minimum requirements are:
submit all assessments
Actively engage with the Moodle site activities, podcasts, eReadings and other
activities (75% benchmark set based on Moodle site analytics)
Students who do not meet the overall minimum performance level requirements outlined above may
be given a Technical Fail (TF) grade on their academic transcript even where the total marks
accumulated are 50% or higher. Where a Technical Fail is awarded, the grade is displayed as TF but
a mark is not displayed on the academic transcript. For the purposes of calculating a Weighted
Average Mark (WAM) a TF is allocated a mark of 49.
Scaling
Scaling will not occur in this subject.
Late Submission
Late submission of an assessment task without an approved extension of the deadline is not
acceptable. Marks will be deducted for late submission at the rate of 5% of the total possible marks
for that particular assessment task per day. This means that if a piece of work is marked out of 100,
then the late penalty will be 5 marks per day (5% of 100 possible marks per day). The formula for
calculating the late penalty is the total possible marks x 0.05 x number of days late. For example:
Student A submits an assignment which is marked out of 100. The assignment is submitted 7 days
late. This means that a late penalty of 35 marks will apply (100 x 0.05 x 7). The assignment is marked
as per normal out of 100 and is given a mark of 85/100, and then the late penalty is applied. The
result is that the student receives a final mark of 50/100 for the assignment (85 (original mark) 35
marks (late penalty) = 50/100 (final mark)).
Student B submits a report which is marked out of 20. The report is submitted three days late. This
means that a late penalty of 3 marks will apply ((20 x 0.05 x 3). The report is marked as per normal
out of 20 and is given a mark of 17/20, and then the late penalty is applied. The result is that the
student receives a final mark of 14/20 for the report (17 (original mark) 3 marks (late penalty) =
14/20 (final mark)).
For the purposes of this policy a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) will be regarded as two days.
No marks will be awarded for work submitted either: a) after the assessment has been returned to the
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students or b) more than two weeks after the due date, whichever is the sooner. Notwithstanding this,
students must complete all assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard and submit them, regardless
of lateness or loss of marks, where submission is a condition of satisfactorily completing the subject.
Supplementary Assessments
Students can log on to SOLS and click on the link titled Supplementary Assessment to view any
applicable offers or use the following
link; http://www.uow.edu.au/student/exams/suppassess/index.html
System of Referencing Used for Written Work
The School of Nursing and Midwifery uses the Harvard system of referencing, unless otherwise
specified for a particular assignment check Details of Assessment Tasks.
The Harvard system can be accessed via the Library homepage, Related Links, Referencing and
citing: http://www.library.uow.edu.au/resourcesbytopic/UOW026621.html.
ubmission of Assignments
Specific submission instructions have been included in the assignment details section of this outline.
Students are also expected to keep a copy of all their submitted assignments in the event that resubmission
is required.
Assessment Return
Assessments will be returned via eLearning within 21 days of the due date.
Section C: General Advice
Students should refer to the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health website for information on
policies, learning and support services and other general advice.
University Policies
Students should be familiar with the following University policies:
a. Code of Practice Teaching and Assessment
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058666.html
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b. Code of Practice Research, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058663.html
c. Code of Practice Honours, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058661.html
d. Student Charter
http://www.uow.edu.au/student/charter/index.html
e. Code of Practice Student Professional Experience, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058662.html
f. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058648.html
g. Student Academic Consideration Policy
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058721.html
h. Course Progress Policy
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058679.html
i. Graduate Qualities Policy
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058682.html
j. Academic Grievance Policy (Coursework and Honours Students)
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058653.html
k. Policy and Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Language Practice and Presentation
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058706.html
l. Workplace Health and Safety, where relevant
http://staff.uow.edu.au/ohs/index.html
m. Intellectual Property Policy
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058689.html
n. IP Student Assignment of Intellectual Property Policy, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058690.html
o. Policy on Ethical Objection by Students to the Use of Animal and Animal Products in
Coursework Subjects, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058708.html
p. Human Research Ethics Guidelines, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/research/ethics/human/index.html
q. Animal Research Guidelines, where relevant
http://www.uow.edu.au/research/ethics/UOW009373.html
r. Student Conduct Rules and accompanying Procedures or Research Misconduct Policy for
research students
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/rules/UOW060095.html
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Student Support Services and Facilities
Students can access information on student support services and facilities at the following link. This
includes information on Academic Support, Starting at University, Help at University as well as
information and support on Careers and Jobs.
http://www.uow.edu.au/student/services/index.html
Student Etiquette
Guidelines on the use of email to contact teaching staff, mobile phone use in class and information on
the university guide to eLearning Netiquette can be found
at http://www.uow.edu.au/student/elearning/netiquette/index.html
Version Control Table
Version
Control
Release Date Author/Reviewer Approved By Amendment
1 20140217 Dr Sharon Bourgeois
(Subject Coordinator)
Miss Emma Purdy
(ADE Rep)
Final 2014 Autumn Iteration
