Epidemiology and Principles of Research (8580.4)

Required texts

Core texts

Webb, P., Bain, C., & Page, A. (2019). Essential epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals. 4thd Edition. Cambridge University Press.

ISBN : 9781108766807

Available from:  library and online as an e-book.

Liamputtong,P.(ed) 2022 Research Methods in Health: Foundations for evidence based practice. 4^th edn. Oxford University Press. Melbourne.

On-Line Resources:

Vancouver Referencing system guides from the library at: https://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4149536

Riegelman, R, Studying a study and testing a test: How to read the medical evidence, 5^th edn. Lippincott,Williams & Wilkins (online text through UC library).

Other useful materials

Sage Research Methods Online (SRMO) – a collection of 600+ online research methodology books which "are relevant to upper level undergraduates and to potentially all postgraduates and staff researchers" (see sample results below).  Access to the collection is via any of the Library's Subject Guides or the Library Home Page (via the Databases & Other Online Resources (DOOR) link)

Other recommended additional references are listed on the Canvas site for this unit.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

In order to secure a pass grade, students must:

• Submit all assignment items
• Obtain an aggregate overall mark of at least 50%

 All assessment items must be submitted online.  Presentations must be uploaded into the workshop. Students can use any software that they like to do their presentation, but must ensure that the presentation can be accessed by all.

Responsibility for understanding

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit convenor or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Requests for extension 

• Requests for extensions based on a good reason such as medical certificate or evidence from a student counsellor should be submitted prior to the due date of the assessment.
• Requests for extensions to the due dates must be made in writing, via email, to the Unit Convener at least five working days before the work is due.
• Requests for extension must adhere to the policy on extension and must contain the extension request form and the documentary evidence to support the extension request.
• There will be no extension beyond the last day of semester, and only one extension will be considered for a single assessment.
• If the extension is granted, the Unit Convener will specify the revised due date.

Penalties for late submission of assignments

Where late submissions are permited, mark allocated will be reduced by 10 % of maximum available marks per day (or part thereof) up to and including three calendar days following the due date/approved extension/ reasonable adjustment. • Late submissions may result in reduced feedback being provided. • Students will be allocated a mark of zero if submittng more than three calendar days late (without approved extension or reasonable adjustment), with no feedback provided. • A student who does not undertake, submit or participate in a summative assessment, or who does not atend a timetabled exam without an approved deferral, will be allocated a mark of zero.

Special assessment requirements

Please note that asssessed work is moderated as per Faculty of Health Moderation Policy and at a miniimum:

• All modes of assessment (i.e. written assignments, exams, presentations, fieldwork or practicums) are subject to moderation.
• The primary assessor marks a piece of student work, assigning a mark and providing comments to justify the mark.
• All assessments assigned a Fail are reviewed by a second assessor, who reviews the mark and comments in order to confirm (or not) the mark awarded by the first marker.
• All reviews are documented and any changes agreed, by discussion, with the primary marker.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Learner engagement

This unit is entirely online.

Drop in times for consultation will be posted on Canvas by the unit convenor.

Students are expected to allocate time to use the  resources on the Canvas site and to undertake the recommended and suggested readings.

Inclusion and engagement

None

Participation requirements

In order to secure a pass grade, students must:

• Submit all assignment items
• Obtain an aggregate overall mark of at least 50%

Required IT skills

Students  will require a computer acess to undertake this unit.

In-unit costs

No additonal costs.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

None

• Semester 2, 2024, Online, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219267)
• Semester 2, 2023, Online, UC - Canberra, Bruce (214895)
• Semester 2, 2022, Online, UC - Canberra, Bruce (210786)