STB100 Research Skills and Techniques

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This core unit in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) will introduce you to a research environment where you will learn essential research skills and discipline specific techniques in authentic environments including research laboratories, in the field or in associated facilities. This unit will present a range of opportunities to interact with researchers and experts undertaking research at QUT. Through this unit you will investigate the breadth of research being undertaken in your discipline, learn key research skills and become competent in a range of key techniques that underpin your specific discipline area and how these are applied in professional contexts. This is the foundation on which you will extend your immersion in research in STB200 Advanced Research Skills & Techniques. Through interaction and critical observation you will also begin your training in the communication of scientific information in preparation for STB300 Advanced Science Symposium.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. 1. Demonstrate competence in a range of key practical skills across the breadth of research in your discipline area [CLO2; CLO3]
2. 2. Evaluate scientific papers on the application of discipline specific techniques to research being undertaken in your field [CLO1; CLO2; CLO4]
3. 3. Critically review different aspects of research and technology to inform your future research[CLO1; CLO4; CLO5]

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit will consist of research workshops, journal club, seminars and laboratory/field-based practical work in your discipline area. A significant component of the journal club/seminars/workshop material will be presented by researchers in the discipline, complementing experimental activities. The practical component will consist of multiple experiments encompassing a range of relevant research and may include field-based activities, lab work and/or computer exercises. Throughout the semester, you will attend several research seminars, research workshops and journal club both in class time and external to the unit, within your discipline area as well as additional seminars to extended specific areas of interest and the STB300 symposium.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Oral and written feedback will be available during the semester. 

Assessment

Overview

In this unit you will undertake three assessment tasks i) an annotated bibliography of two papers that are read during discipline specific journal clubs ii) a critical review of research in your discipline area at QUT and the application of techniques and skills to these areas; iii) assessment of your competency in lab and/or field activities. Achievement in this unit is assessed as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. You must pass all three assessment tasks to achieve Satisfactory.

Unit Grading Scheme

S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Demonstration of Practical Skills

You will be assessed on your competency in laboratory and/or field activities and skills. 

Assessment: Critical Review of Research

A critical review of research and techniques being undertaken in your own discipline area and how/where the specific techniques you have mastered are being applied.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Annotated Bibliography of Discipline Specific Journal Articles

You will take notes on the two journal articles from your discipline specific journal club to write an annotated bibliography that effectively summarises the research contained in each of the papers.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve fieldwork and/or laboratory work. The procedures involved are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. In the case of laboratory work you will be provided with appropriate Health and Safety information, guidelines and inductions specific to the location and task. It is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.  You will also be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.