This course provides students with an opportunity to undertake a public health research project, on a topic of their choice, by collecting data and analysing, presenting and writing up their research results. The topic is chosen and the research project is developed in POPH8315. Students need to achieve a minimum Distinction grade in POPH8315 to enrol in this course. Students' research projects are supervised by one, or more, specific supervisors and the course convenor facilitates and monitors the students progress. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding and critical analysis of an area of public health, including the current state of research in the field, and a conceptual understanding of potential avenues to advance the knowledge in the field
2. Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of public health research practice
3. Demonstrate enhanced research skills, including collecting and analysing data
4. Demonstrate enhanced skills in information literacy and oral and written communication

Research-Led Teaching

This course provides students with an opportunity to undertake a public health research project, on a topic of their choice, by collecting data and analysing, presenting and writing up their research results. Students' research projects are supervised by one, or more, specific supervisors and the course convenor facilitates and monitors the students progress.

Recommended Resources

The CHM/COS College Masters Handbook can be downloaded from the College forms-policies-guidlines website.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Primary feedback to students will be via regular meetings between the student and their supervisor. Detailed expectations of students and supervisors is provided in the student guidelines document for this course.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weeks 1-12 Overview This course can be taken as variable unit course over consecutive semesters. For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student would work a minimum of 8-10 hours/week over the course of the semester. Where the course is taken over consecutive semesters, course structure, assessment and deadlines must be defined and communicated to students within the first two weeks of the first enrolment period. This should include the learning outcomes for the course, a copy of the assessment criteria that will be used by the examiners, information on academic and research integrity and a copy of the CHM/CoS statement for students on mark moderation. The supervisor should: Assist the student in selecting and defining the scope of a suitable thesis topic and assist the student in devising a schedule for achieving the thesis over the semester. Assist the student attain ethics approval (if required). Guide the student in the selection and application of appropriate data collection practices or datasets, data collection methods, conceptual frameworks, and analytical approaches. Advise on matters of thesis content, organisation and writing, including the timely provision of comments, written and oral, on drafts or portions of the thesis. Meet/communicate frequently with the student to discuss and evaluate each stage of the thesis project. Where there are joint supervisors, they should arrange joint meetings with the student. Monitor student progress and advise the student when progress is unsatisfactory. Discuss concerns about student progress with the course convenor.	To be negotiated with the supervisor and/or course convener within the first 2 weeks of the first enrolment. This summary provides a general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time. It is expected that a student will complete a research project of 24 units. The date ranges provided are a general indication only for a student commencing their research project in semester 2 and submitting their research project in semester 1 of the following year. Where a student is enrolling in this course over more than 2 consecutive semesters, the final thesis due dates can be confirmed with the course convenor.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Final written research paper and supporting logbook	100 %	26/05/2022	30/06/2022	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

The written research paper and logbook will be assessed by two examiners selected by the School in consultation with the supervisory team.

Assessment Task 1

Final written research paper and supporting logbook

The written research paper should take the form of an article that has been submitted, or is ready to submit, to a peer-reviewed journal, capped at 5000 words, and formatted based on the discipline and journal. An extra 1000 word limit (20%) is available for qualitative and mixed-methods projects.

The Appendix/Logbook is capped at 5000 words and may contain case or summary data, code and equations, detailed notes on methodology, assessments of data quality, ethics applications, qualitative thematic coding frames, research diary, and data collection instruments. The Appendix should be submitted along with the written research paper and provides the examiner with sufficient detail to demonstrate that the student understands the methodology used in the paper.

For students completing their research projects in Semester 1, this is due by 5pm on the last Thursday in May. For students completing their research projects in Semester 2, this is due by 5pm on the last Thursday in October. The semester in which the student completes the project will depend on their course enrolment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Anonymised examiner reports will be provided to students after grades are released.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students