Honours in Science Fundamentals (16)

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Abstract

In this subject, students will build foundational knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue a research project. Through engaging in the development of their research project, students will develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence as a novice researcher. This will include knowledge and skills to develop and application and obtain the … For more content click the Read More button below. HRS425 (24 Points), HRS426 (16 points) and HRS427 (8 points) are the same subject with different point values that reflects the subject hours allocated to that subject code: 8 points requires 140-160 hours, 16 points requires up to a maximum of 320 hours and 24 points requires up to a maximum of 480 hours. These variations occur to allow those in integrated Honours programs to include advanced discipline subjects in their honours program and reflects the intended depth of study required for the Honours project design. They also enable accommodation of a specific elective as part of the BSc(Hons) program as agreed and approved in consultation with their project supervisors, Honours Advisors and the Course Director. Course Documentation determines whether a student enrols in HRS425, HRS426 or HRS427.

In this subject, students will build foundational knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue a research project. Through engaging in the development of their research project, students will develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence as a novice researcher. This will include knowledge and skills to develop and application and obtain the research ethics approval when appropriate. Through regular communication with their supervisor(s), students will also have opportunities to reflect on their research practices, experiences, and learning. With guidance and feedback from their supervisor(s), students will identify a clear research question and design a research study, which they will explain and defend in a written research proposal. Students will also critically review existing literature to support development of their research question, explaining (a) how their planned research will build on existing knowledge and (b) why their planned research is worth undertaking. Acceptable formats for the final submitted Honours include: a dissertation or a publishable report ready for peer review or a publishable journal article ready for journal peer review.

HRS425 (24 Points), HRS426 (16 points) and HRS427 (8 points) are the same subject with different point values that reflects the subject hours allocated to that subject code: 8 points requires 140-160 hours, 16 points requires up to a maximum of 320 hours and 24 points requires up to a maximum of 480 hours. These variations occur to allow those in integrated Honours programs to include advanced discipline subjects in their honours program and reflects the intended depth of study required for the Honours project design. They also enable accommodation of a specific elective as part of the BSc(Hons) program as agreed and approved in consultation with their project supervisors, Honours Advisors and the Course Director. Course Documentation determines whether a student enrols in HRS425, HRS426 or HRS427.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics: Strategies for establishing and maintaining a successful research-supervision relationship;Ethical considerations, including how to apply for ethical approval to begin data collection in human/animal research, if applicable;The importance for novice researchers of regular supervision conversations, ongoing self-progress monitoring, a constructive problem solving approach, and … For more content click the Read More button below.

The subject will cover the following topics:

Strategies for establishing and maintaining a successful research-supervision relationship;
Ethical considerations, including how to apply for ethical approval to begin data collection in human/animal research, if applicable;
The importance for novice researchers of regular supervision conversations, ongoing self-progress monitoring, a constructive problem solving approach, and seeking help when needed.
How to acquire and critically review the existing literature on a topic;
How to write a feasible, methodologically sound research proposal; and
How to write a critical, convincing literature review to support the research proposal and a potential draft for a dissertation.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

strategically acquire and critically review existing research on a given topic to support a research proposal;

with supervisor approval, identify a clear, specific research question, which can feasibly be addressed in an Honours-level research project;

with supervisor guidance, explain how their research question will be addressed, explicitly acknowledging relevant time and resource constraints and any contingency planning;

with guidance, justify their choice of sample, recruitment strategy, data collection, and/or data analysis plan, as relevant, in relation to their question and any relevant ethical considerations;

construct a convincing written argument regarding (a) how a proposed study will build on or strengthen existing research and (b) why this study should be conducted;

with supervisor guidance, develop, submit an ethics application and obtain ethical approval (where appropriate) and begin collecting and/or analysing data to address a research question;

in regular supervision conversations, reflect on their research progress, including strengths and skills they are developing, issues they have encountered, and problem-solving they have engaged in; and

succinctly report on their research progress in a way that shows increasing independence as a novice researcher.

Assumed knowledge

Students enrolling in this subject are expected to have discussed and agreed on at least a broad research project topic with the Honours supervisor(s).

Enrolment restrictions

Available only to students enrolled in a Bachelor Honours degree: Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Exercise Science (Honours), Bachelor of Paramedicine (Honours), Bachelor of Animal Science (Honours), Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours), Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours), Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (Honours).

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