Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
ALHT413 Honours Research Project Implementation for Allied Health
Incompatible
ALHT406 Honours Dissertation
Teaching organisation
150 hours of focused learning.
Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit is the capstone of the Allied Health 2 year embedded Honours program. Honours programs provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to learn how to conduct research, to develop more advanced professional knowledge and skills, and to enter higher degrees by research at Masters and PhD levels. Research skills are critical for the development of evidence based practice and policy that ensures quality care of individuals, families and communities requiring allied health and social services.
This unit focuses on completion of the research project and requires interpretation and dissemination of the findings with consideration of implications for practice. The overall aim of this unit is to build on the work students have undertaken in the previous Honours units including appraisal of the literature, design and implementation of a research project. Students are supported to continue their analysis and interpretation, then to discuss and disseminate the findings. To complete the thesis, students are expected to write a research study report in the form of a journal manuscript. Students will also present their research outcomes at a student conference at the end of the semester. During this semester, students work with their supervisors to complete their projects. In summary, this unit aims to support students to complete data analysis and a final research report.
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.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Apply and evaluate appropriate techniques to analyse data to answer research questions | GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8 |
| LO2 | Synthesise, critically analyse, and consolidate research outcomes to evaluate impact on practice and future research in the relevant field | GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8 |
| LO3 | Effectively report research outcomes in a written journal manuscript using language appropriate to the field of enquiry and the journal guidelines | GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC11 |
| LO4 | Present research findings orally and respond to questions from research peers and experts | GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC12 |
Content
Topics will include:
- Journal manuscript preparation
- Interpretation and reporting of data
- Research writing skills and publication processes
- Conference presentation skills
- Knowledge translation strategies
- Managing feedback – honours examination, journal review
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Students work both independently and in collaboration with the LIC and their supervisor(s) to write a final research report. Lectures, tutorials and online resources will provide students with the necessary knowledge of research dissemination processes, particularly journal manuscripts and presentations. These learning and teaching strategies will support students to develop and apply research knowledge and skills with increasing autonomy in completion of their research project. This unit involves 150 hours of learning which could include face-to-face, online and independent learning activities and assessment.
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit adopts an authentic assessment approach, requiring students to demonstrate application of standard written and oral research dissemination practices to their individual research project. Assessment tasks for this unit comprise a progress report, a written research report in the form of a journal manuscript, and an oral presentation. The progress report is a hurdle task in which students will demonstrate progress in completing the research project. Key assessments in the Honours program are consistent with the ACU Guidelines for Honours Programs for three components: a) a literature review (from ALHT411), b) an expanded methodology (from ALHT412) and c) a journal article manuscript which forms the major assessment item for this unit. The journal manuscript will conform to chosen journal guidelines. Students will also deliver an oral presentation that conforms to standard research reporting conventions to present key research outcomes and implications. The presentation will elicit questions and feedback from an interprofessional audience.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Written report: Enables students to demonstrate progress against a checklist with verification from supervisors and report on any changes to research methods. | Ungraded Hurdle | LO1, LO2 |
Written report: Enables students to report research outcomes in a journal manuscript. | 80% | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
Oral presentation: Enables students to present research outcomes and respond to questions in a conference context. | 20% | LO2, LO4 |
Representative texts and references
Carter, R. E., & Lubinsky, J. (2016). Rehabilitation research: Principles and applications (5th ed.) Elsevier Saunders.
Hickson, M. (2008). Research handbook for health care professionals (1st ed.). Wiley.
Liamputtong, P. (2017). Research methods in health: Foundations for evidence based practice (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Polgar, S., & Thomas, S. (2019). Introduction to research in the health sciences, (7th ed.). Elsevier.
Portney, L. G., & Watkins, M. P. (2009). Foundations of clinical research: Applications to practice, (3rd ed.). Prentice Hall Health.
Thomas, S. (2000). How to write health sciences papers, dissertations and theses. Churchill Livingstone.