STH420-5 Advanced Research 5

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Original research is fundamental to science and a substantial independent research project represents a major component of the Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours). The aim of this series of research units is to provide you with the opportunity to further develop and apply skills for independent scientific investigation, problem solving, analysis and reporting to answer a significant research question over a sustained period. On completion of this series of units you will present your research outcomes for review and assessment by experts in your field and will be given the opportunity to elaborate and defend your findings

Learning Outcomes

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

1. 1. Critically evaluate strategies and methods sourced from literature, independent investigation and personal communication to design, execute and analyse experiments to answer research questions and solve problems within appropriate timeframes. [CLO1; CLO2; CLO3; CLO6]
2. 2. Identify and apply appropriate forms of oral and written communication to effectively communicate, justify and defend your research outcomes. [CLO4]
3. 3. Demonstrate high levels of research ethics and professional integrity including accurate, appropriately detailed and attributed recording and use of data and information [CLO5].
4. 4. Critically evaluate scientific literature relevant to your scientific discipline [CLO1; CLO4]

Content

Learning Approaches

In these units you learn through independent investigation, application and problem solving under the guidance of a supervisory team. Workshops, seminars, online and independent activities will support the design and development of the research project and embed research strategies, principles and skills

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Oral and written feedback will be available during the semester. 

Assessment

Overview

In this series of units you will undertake a substantial research project. The success of your research is determined by the effectiveness of your research plan, the skill with which it is executed, the accuracy and robustness of your data, effective critical analysis of the results and their subsequent communication. You will demonstrate these criteria in four assessment tasks positioned at appropriate stages. Late in semester 1 you will submit a written report detailing you project, a detailed and critical review of relevant literature, your research plan and a brief progress report. At the end of semester 1 you will present an progress seminar.  These tasks will be summatively assessed but will also be an opportunity to discuss your results and progress with your supervisory team. At the end of this series of units you will draw your research together to submit your thesis, which will be reviewed and assessed by appropriate experts. You will also present these results in a seminar at the STB300 Symposium.  You will also be required to defend your research during a panel discussion (Viva).  The final grade for the research project will be applied equally to STH420-1 to 6 on completion of all assessment tasks.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Research Proposal

You will prepare a well-structured written report which introduces and provides relevant background to your project, defines the aims and objectives of the work, includes a detailed research plan with timeline and a brief progress summary. The report will include a detailed literature review in which you will review the literature that provides background to and informs the direction of your research project, critically evaluating this literature and its relevance to your project, as appropriate, extending preliminary literature identified in STB310.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Honour’s Thesis

The written thesis will demonstrate the application of effective research skills and strategies, accurate and appropriate experimental design and data analysis, appropriate level and format of communication and appropriate level of professional ethics. Submitted at the end of STH420-1-6.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Viva

You will participate in a critical discussion of your research outcomes with a panel which includes your supervisors, thesis assessors and other experts if required. You will be required to answer questions to explanation, clarify and/or defend your research.

Assessment: Final Seminar

Individual oral presentation of research outcomes from Honours project. Presented at STB300 Advanced Science Symposium (end of semester; summative). You will prepare a summary of your research outcomes to be presented in your seminar in the form of a Conference Abstract for submission to the STB300 Symposium organising committee (midsemester; summative). You will also include a draft of your seminar for feedback by your supervisor prior to final seminar (late semester; formative).

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

These units 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.