Unit rationale, description and aim
The thesis units form the capstone of the Honours degree. These supervisor-led units respect the individual as an independent and active learner, allowing them to further develop and implement their theoretical and technical knowledge and skills by designing, conducting and communicating a research project in a collaborative and collegial environment. Under their supervisors guidance, students will extend and refine their scientific writing skills as they are guided in the development of a comprehensive literature review that identifies gaps in the literature and justifies the need for their research project. This unit complements HLSC511 Communicating Research in Biomedical and Health Sciences, and directly links with the subsequent Honours Thesis (Part B) unit. The aim of this unit is to develop in students their ability to communicate their understanding of research field in a succinct, critical and compelling manner.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Critically develop and conduct a literature search...
Learning Outcome 01
Conceptually map a logical and persuasive literatu...
Learning Outcome 02
Conduct a critical review of the literature that i...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
CONTENT
A specific research topic will be chosen in discussion with the allocated supervisor. It will be based on the student’s current knowledge base, expertise and interest, and also utilise learnings from other preceding or concurrent Honours units of study, to undertake activities including:
- prepare and articulate a plan for their literature review; and
- present a systematic or narrative review of the literature that critically analyses and synthesises the literature within their chosen research topic.
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to best enable students to demonstrate unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements..
Assessment 1 Ungraded Hurdle task 1 allows students to develop a search strategy that will directly inform the final assessment task.
Assessment 2 Ungraded Hurdle task 2 allows students to reflect on feedback provided to further develop their literature review.
Assessment 3 Graded Hurdle is the single assessment outcome for this unit that acts as part of the capstone assessment for the degree, incorporating the skills students have developed in previous units in terms of identifying, synthesizing, critiquing and communicating scientific outcomes within a given research field. Development of the final assessment piece will be aided by a series of structured, formative assessments to help ensure students are progressing appropriately and identify the potential need for any additional support.
Students will be allowed one re-attempt at each ungraded hurdle task within two weeks of the original submission date.
Students will be allowed one re-attempt at the graded hurdle within two weeks of the return of the original submission.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass the hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50%.
Overview of assessments
Literature Review Plan Develop a comprehensive s...
Literature Review Plan
Develop a comprehensive search strategy which will directly inform the development of the literature review. This written task will be completed and then discussed in a meeting with the NLIC. The goal is to ensure early engagement in literature review development to help facilitate the best possible outcome for students, including pastoral care regarding supervision and student perception of progress.
Ungraded Hurdle Task
Reflection Task Students will critically reflect...
Reflection Task
Students will critically reflect on their initial search strategy, literature review plan and project progress, considering feedback provided. This task will enable students to reflect on their development as researchers and consider different strategies for the successful completion of their project.
Ungraded Hurdle Task
Literature Review Students are required to submi...
Literature Review
Students are required to submit a literature review of an area of research, which will enable them to demonstrate their ability to conduct a comprehensive literature search and present a coherent overview of the literature in a synthesized form
Graded Hurdle 100%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Learning will be largely by means of a mentoring relationship with the allocated supervisor. Students will be expected to meet regularly with their supervisor on an individual basis and encouraged to draw on and apply the knowledge gained within Honours coursework units to their own research projects. The frequency of consultation might be expected to vary at different times in the process and reflects respect for the student as an independent learner who takes responsibility for their own learning and its successful outcomes. Meetings with the lecturer in charge throughout the semester will provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their own progress and identify where further support or skill development may be required. As part of these meetings, formative feedback on the progress and development of their literature review will be provided via ungraded hurdle tasks to ensure students remain on track for a successful project completion.
For students in a Multi-Mode enrolment, they will be expected to meet regularly on-campus with their allocated supervisor in developing their project proposal which informs the work and assessments in this unit, as well as meeting with the lecturer-in-charge on an individual basis throughout the unit (on campus, where possible) for the opportunity to reflect on their own progress and identify where further support or skill development may be required.