Unit rationale, description and aim
Rigorous science is the foundation of evidence-based practice. It contributes to the academic, clinical, and/or industry-related development of policy and practice in health care across all Biomedical and Health Science disciplines. This unit introduces students to the scope and range of research methods available in biomedical and health professions. The unit will assist students in understanding the research process, levels of evidence, qualitative and quantitative research design, the steps taken for development of biomedical and health-related research questions, selection of appropriate research methods to address those questions, and identifying, appraising and synthesising existing research studies that underpin those questions. Students will learn to consider all aspects of research design through an ethical lens, with particular regard to the role culture plays in the design and conduct of an ethical research program. This unit aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop practical research skills and an ability to critically assess the quality of biomedical and health science research. Further, students will apply the above-mentioned skills to a food and nutrition-related problem through the development of a research question and proposal suitable research methods to address the problem in a practice setting.
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.
Develop and critically assess strategies to search...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically reflect on the ethical principles that ...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically reflect on the ethical conduct in resea...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically appraise research methods in biomedical...
Learning Outcome 04
Formulate a research question and method to addres...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
This unit includes topics related to the development and demonstration of professional dietetic practice and competence according to the Accreditation Standards of Dietitians Australia. These are described under the heading ‘Building professional dietetic practice’ in each unit outline and build on topics delivered synchronously and progressively throughout the degree. Those in bold reflect ‘new’ topics addressed in this unit. Students will have opportunities for collecting evidence of competence in these, and in other areas (italics).
Building professional dietetic practice
- reflection and evaluation of practice
- acknowledges, reflects and understands own values, beliefs, attitudes, biases and assumptions and their influence on practice
- scope of practice and standards of care, codes of conduct
- continuing professional development
- attributes (empathy, flexibility, adaptability, resilience, ethical, respectful, demonstrates integrity, honesty, fairness, critical thinker)
- time management in research
- role of the dietitian in research
- collaboration and communication skills with stakeholders
This unit requires the completion of 5 days of research placement. Content delivery is arranged as required to support these placements and the underpinning theoretical components.
Topics will include:
Research in dietetic practice
- Food and nutrition research problems
- Formulating a research question
- Selecting appropriate methods to answer a research question
Both professional practice and performance will be directed by the university and the appointed placement supervisor at the host organisation, through a pre-defined and monitored set of criteria which encompass:
- completion of defined project or project element/s
- professional practices/attributes to be demonstrated whilst undertaking the experience
- ability to seek, respond to and provide feedback from supervisors
- overall student performance throughout the placement
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessments will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. To complete this unit, students need to obtain an aggregate mark of equal to or greater than 50%.
Three assessment tasks have been designed for this unit. Assessment Task 1 will require students to demonstrate the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively search library databases and use appropriate referencing software. Assessment Task 2 is a critical reflection on the role of ethics in biomedical and health science research. This assessment will require students to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the fundamental importance of the ethics process before conducting research and/or ethical conduct as a part of the research. Assessment Task 3 is a critical appraisal of research studies that requires students to demonstrate an advanced understanding and demonstration of research design by critiquing the components of research methodology and assessing the relative strengths and weaknesses of particular research methods and techniques. A component to this task allows Master of Dietetic Practice students apply their learning to research in food and nutrition setting.
All assessment will be submitted electronically. The assessment strategy allows students to progressively develop their knowledge and skills. To develop the knowledge and skills required to achieve the learning outcomes and Graduate Attributes, students first acquire knowledge through a literature review, further deepen their understanding by critically appraising published research, and then apply their understanding in an authentic way by writing personal reflections of new concepts learned and how they extend their practice.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1 Written task: Critically develop ...
Assessment 1
Written task:
Critically develop a comprehensive literature search strategy to address a
research question.
20%
Assessment 2 Multimedia task: Requires students...
Assessment 2
Multimedia task:
Requires students to critically discuss ethical issues in biomedical and
health science research.
35%
Assessment 3 Multimedia task: Requires students...
Assessment 3
Multimedia task:
Requires students to critically appraise a quantitative or qualitative
research study or a systematic review and construct a research question/method to investigate a food and nutrition problem.
45%
Ungraded hurdle Completion of 5 days of placemen...
Ungraded hurdle
Completion of 5 days of placement
Ungraded Hurdle
0%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
NUTR505 is offered in multi-mode.
Essential theory and concepts will be delivered via online modules with face to face activity, using an evidence-based, student-centred teaching and active
learning approach to support students in exploring theoretical and practical knowledge of research design in a biomedical and health science context. Learning is reinforced
through facilitated tutorial activities involving reading, writing, discussion, and problem solving, which provides students with the opportunity to apply lecture content to
specifc biomedical and health contexts/scenarios, and progressively develop their ability to apply research methods to contemporary health issues.