Unit rationale, description and aim
Research in clinical exercise physiology is essential for advancing evidence based practice and improving health outcomes across diverse populations. Building on the clinical knowledge, research ethics competence, and preliminary project development introduced in EXSC683, this unit equips students with the foundational research skills required to design a rigorous and clinically relevant research project.
Students undertake an original research project focused on analysing existing data from studies conducted within the ACU Exercise Lifestyle Clinics. Students enter the unit with an ethically approved research topic, allowing for an accelerated commencement and enabling the unit to focus on key components of the research process, including literature review, research design, and methodology. Under the supervision of Exercise Physiology staff, students develop competencies in literature searching, critical appraisal, and the application of appropriate research methods.
The primary aim of this unit is to prepare students to develop a comprehensive and well justified methods plan that addresses a clinically relevant question in exercise physiology. This plan prepares for EXSC682, where they will collect, analyse, and report their research findings in the form of a thesis portfolio. Together, EXSC683, EXSC681, and EXSC682 form a cohesive capstone research experience that integrates research design, implementation, and dissemination.
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 appraise literature and contemporary co...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically justify a substantial research project ...
Learning Outcome 02
Design and justify an extended research methodolog...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Literature searching and critical appraisal: systematic search strategies, databases, risk of bias and quality appraisal tools, GRADE framework.
- Research methodology: research design, ethical considerations, protocol development, search strategies, data collection planning, and where appropriate, protocol registration.
- Statistics for research: descriptive and inferential statistics, effect sizes, confidence intervals, statistical software (RevMan, R, SPSS).
- Scholarly communication: academic writing conventions, manuscript structure, referencing, proposal development, peer review.
- Working with consumers in research, including considerations for diverse populations.
- Generative AI use in research.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The two assessment tasks in this unit are designed to guide students through the development of their research project. With an ethically approved research question established in EXSC683, students focus on developing an in depth research methodology, conducting a comprehensive and critical literature review, and preparing their project for execution in EXSC682. Together, the assessments emphasise methodological rigour, critical synthesis of evidence, and alignment between research design and clinically relevant questions in exercise physiology.
Assessment Task 1: Research Methodology requires students to clearly articulate and justify the methodology for their approved research project, including study design, outcome measures, and planned analytical approach. This task emphasises methodological rigour and supports readiness for project implementation.
Assessment Task 2: Literature Review requires students to critically review and synthesise contemporary literature to establish a strong theoretical foundation for their research project. Students demonstrate systematic literature searching, critical appraisal, and evidence synthesis to justify their research question, supporting readiness for thesis portfolio reporting in EXSC682.
Generative AI must not be used in assessments unless explicitly permitted in the assessment instructions.
Overview of assessments
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of all learning outcomes and achieve a minimum overall mark of 50%.
Assessment Task 1 – Research Methodology Enables...
Assessment Task 1 – Research Methodology
Enables students to confirm their methodology for their research project, including study design, outcome measures, and planned analytical approach .
20%
Assessment Task 2 – Literature Review Enables s...
Assessment Task 2 – Literature Review
Enables students to critically review and synthesise relevant evidence to establish the rationale and foundation for their research project.
80%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit adopts a blended and flexible approach to learning and teaching to support student engagement, accessibility, and academic achievement. Delivery extends beyond traditional online activities to include individual face‑to‑face supervision sessions, conducted either in person or online, alongside asynchronous learning opportunities. This approach is designed to accommodate diverse learning needs while promoting meaningful engagement with the research process.
Teaching is informed by social constructivist and experiential learning principles, fostering active participation, inquiry‑based learning, and knowledge construction through guided practice. Students work closely with an Exercise Physiology academic supervisor who provides ongoing mentorship and feedback throughout the research planning and development phases.
Learning activities include problem‑based workshops focused on statistics and critical appraisal, structured literature searching sessions, peer review opportunities, and iterative drafting supported by supervisor feedback. These activities are designed to progressively build research competence and confidence.