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OB&GYNAE 3100 - Research Project in Reproductive Health

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course will provide training in research skills including planning and conducting a research project in reproductive health, and will include a series of workshop and tutorials on topics including research planning and skills, data management and research ethics, oral and written presentation, and critical evaluation of literature.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code OB&GYNAE 3100
    Course Research Project in Reproductive Health
    Coordinating Unit Obstetrics and Gynaecology
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 8 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites ANAT SC 1102 or ANAT SC 1103 or BIOL 1201 or equivalent
    Assumed Knowledge PHYSIOL 2520 and ANAT SC 2109/3102 or equivalents
    Restrictions Available to MBBS, BHLTH and BSC
    Assessment Written research proposal, critical literature review exercise, project supervisor assessment and written project report
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Darryl Russell

    Course Coordinator: Dr Kathyrn Gatford
    Phone: +61 8313 4158
    Email: kathy.gatford@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room 629b, Medical School North, Level 6

    Additional Academic Staff (Tutors):

    Professor Julie Owens
    julie.owens@adelaide.edu.au

    Professor Ray Rodgers
    raymond.rodgers@adelaide.edu.au

    Associate Professor Mark Nottle
    mark.nottle@adelaide.edu.au

    Dr Carmela Ricciardelli
    carmela.ricciardelli@adelaide.edu.au

    Associate Professor Michael Stark
    michael.stark@adelaide.edu.au

    Professor Claire Roberts
    claire.roberts@adelaide.edu.au

    Dr Nicolette Hodyl
    nicolette.hodyl@adelaide.edu.au

    Dr Rosalie Grivell
    rosalie.grivell@adelaide.edu.au

    Professor Michael Davies
    michael.davies@adelaide.edu.au

    Professor Sarah Robertson
    sarah.robertson@adelaide.edu.au

    Dr Michelle Lane
    michelle.lane@adelaide.edu.au

    Administrative contact details for the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health
    Phone: +61 8313 0635
    Email: sprh.l_and_t@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 3 Medical School South
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Understand and use research skills, including generic skills and research techniques specific to the research topic/project.
    2 Demonstrate skills in research planning, including specification and justification of an appropriate research hypothesis and appropriate experimental design.
    3 Identify and critically evaluate scientific literature in reproductive health, including laboratory-based studies and clinical trials.
    4 Understand and apply principles of good research practice, including laboratory safety, quality control, data management and research ethics.
    5 Evaluate and apply appropriate research methodologies including data analysis.
    6 Work collaboratively in small groups in a research context.
    7 Discuss research findings in the appropriate context with peers and supervisors.
    8 Present the results and conclusions of the research project in short manuscript format and in a short oral group presentation.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 3, 5, 8
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6, 7, 8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 3, 4, 5, 8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3, 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No single textbook covers the material to be considered during this course. All students are required to review the literature that is relevant to their project. This will primarily consist of peer-reviewed literature journal articles relevant to the area of the research project.

    Course material including tutorial presentations, timetables, and submission of assessment, will be provided and managed via MyUni.
    Online Learning
    Communications about the course will be via the announcements section on MyUni at www.myuni.adelaide.edu.au and/or by email. Please read the Announcements section and your email regularly to keep up to date. Additional course related material, including lecture and tutorial material and links to required resources/reading, plus topics for assignments will be available through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course consists of a research project (averaging 5 hours/week) conducted within an active research laboratory as a placement in small groups (1-3 students), supported by a series of workshops and tutorials designed to teach key research competencies. The timing of research project activities is to be negotiated and agreed with the supervisor and any other group members in the first week of the course, dependent on their schedule and research-project requirements. Students will record research activities in a laboratory notebook and will meet regularly with their supervisor (weekly) to discuss the progress of their research and review activities and data management via the laboratory notebook. Research activities will initially be carried out with direct supervision of the supervisor and/or other research laboratory members but depending on student progress may also involve independent work under broad supervision.

    A 3-hour introductory workshop will be presented in the first week to discuss preparation of a research proposal, including review of the scientific method, developing and testing hypotheses, and structure of a proposal. Also in the first week, students will conduct a research induction including a local OHS induction, training in core competencies/requirements for working in the proposed research area, and initial planning of core reading material relevant to their research proposal, to be signed off by the research supervisor.

    A tutorial program will run concurrently with the research placement (2 x 1h per week) to teach and discuss core research competencies, including research planning and skills, data management and research ethics, oral and written presentation, and critical evaluation of literature.

    Additional workshops will be used to 1/ (week 5) – conduct a critical literature review exercise, 2/ (week 9) discuss and practice oral scientific communication, and 3/ (week 12) present an oral report of the research findings to the students and supervisors of the course. (NB: week refers to teaching week).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As a 3 unit course, Research Project in Reproductive Health has a student workload of approximately 12 hours per week over the 13 weeks of Semester (total 156 hours; See section 24 of the Coursework Academic Policy. This equates to:

    · 8 contact hours per week (tutorials, workshops and research placement)
    · 0.5 hours per week on preparation for tutorials
    · 4 hours per week on assessment tasks.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Students will identify their research project and supervisor prior to the start of semester 1, initially from project outlines available on-line (project booklet to be available in draft form by mid-semester 2 the preceding year with additional projects able to be added up until January of the course year), followed by direct contact with the supervisor. This might include Email and/or telephone interviews to facilitate participation by remote students, and/or face-to-face meetings. An on-line survey tool will also be used to assist in matching students with available research projects. Acceptance into this course is conditional on receipt of a project outline (acceptance form) signed by supervisor and student/s. Students enrolled in the Reproductive Health major will have first preference for enrolments.

    For all projects that use animals or samples from animals confirmation of approval by the Animal Ethics Committee of the University must be provided before the project commences, such that students will only work on projects that have already been approved. Supervisors are responsible for gaining approval for projects before these are offered and for notification of student participation to ethics committees where required.

    Workshops (each 3 h)
    Week 1 – how to prepare the research proposal
    Week 5 – critical literature review exercise
    Week 9 – oral scientific communication
    Week 12 – oral presentations
    (NB: week refers to teaching week)

    Tutorials (2 x 1 h/week)
    Week 1 Laboratory safety
    Principles of good research (Code of Practice) and scientific method

    Week 2 Laboratory experimental design
    Clinical experimental design

    Week 3 Data management
    Intellectual property and commercialisation
     
    Week 4 Critical literature assessment – laboratory-based science
    Structured journal club – review exercise 1

    Week 5 Critical literature assessment – clinical trials
    Structured journal club – review exercise 2

    Week 6 Systematic reviews
    Establishing data bases and cohorts

    Week 7 Quantitation of biological molecules
    Introduction to “omics”

    Week 8 Analysing research results – evaluating the data
    Analysing research results – testing for differences between groups

    Week 9 Analysing research results – testing for relationships between variables
    Presenting research results –figures, tables and text

    Week 10 Scientific communication – writing reports and research papers
    Putting research results in context – developing the discussion

    Week 11 Career planning

    Week 12 Optional tutorials to discuss research reports and assist in data analysis

    Research project placement (average 5 h/week)
    Students will prepare a research proposal, gain core competencies, and conduct a small research project over the semester.
    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no specific course requirements.
    Small Group Discovery Experience