Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit is the capstone of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology Thesis stream, providing students with the opportunity to contribute original research that advances the evidence base informing exercise physiology practice across diverse populations.
Building on the research foundations established in the prerequisite units EXSC683 and EXSC681 (Part A), this unit enables students to implement, analyse, and report their research project in the form of a thesis portfolio and oral presentation. The thesis portfolio integrates revised outputs from earlier units—such as the literature review and extended methodology—to present a cohesive and complete research project. Within this unit, students implement their approved research protocol, conduct data analysis, and prepare their findings as a publication‑ready manuscript.
As students have completed all coursework and professional placements prior to this unit, there are no competing academic demands. This structure allows students to dedicate themselves fully to their research project under the supervision of Exercise Physiology academic staff.
The aim of this unit is to develop students’ capacity to independently conduct, interpret, and communicate clinically relevant research, thereby supporting the advancement of evidence‑based practice in clinical exercise physiology.
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.
Analyse collected data using appropriate statistic...
Learning Outcome 01
Compose a publication-ready manuscript adhering to...
Learning Outcome 02
Communicate research findings, including limitatio...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Protocol implementation: executing the approved research protocol.
- Data analysis appropriate to project type.
- Manuscript preparation: journal author guidelines, scholarly writing, tables and figures, ethical reporting standards (e.g., PRISMA, CONSORT, STROBE as appropriate).
- Conference-style oral presentation: visual design, communicating findings, responding to questions.
- Generative AI use in research.
- Working with consumers in research dissemination.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessments within this unit are authentic and aligned with professional research practice, reflecting individualised projects and live scholarly defence.
Assessment 1: Oral Presentation develops students’ ability to interpret, communicate, and defend their research findings in a conference‑style format. Assessment through live presentation strengthens academic integrity and reflects authentic expectations of postgraduate research dissemination.
Assessment 2: Thesis Portfolio is the primary capstone assessment for the unit. The portfolio integrates revised outputs from earlier units such as the literature review and extended methodology to present a cohesive and complete research project. Within this unit, students implement their approved research protocol, conduct data analysis, and prepare their findings as a publication-ready manuscript in accordance with journal author guidelines. The complete portfolio must be prepared to a standard suitable for submission (approximately 10,000–15,000 words).
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 Oral Presentat...
Assessment Task 1 Oral Presentation
Enables students to interpret and communicate research findings in a conference-style oral presentation.
20%
Assessment Task 2 Thesis Portfol...
Assessment Task 2 Thesis Portfolio
The portfolio includes the student's ethics rationale, project design, literature review, extended methodology, data analysis, and a publication-ready manuscript, together presenting their complete 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 draws on social constructivist and experiential learning principles to promote active engagement and inquiry-based learning. Students enter with a refined research protocol from EXSC683 and EXSC681, enabling them to move directly into execution. Learning activities include data collection and analysis workshops, statistical software sessions, manuscript drafting with iterative supervisor feedback, peer review activities, and presentation practice.
Progressive milestones ensure timely completion while developing scholarly independence. The apprenticeship model positions students as independent researchers completing a defined project within a supportive supervisory framework.