Assessment Extensions and Project Timeline Guidance

Extension Request Procedures

Formal requests for an assessment extension must be submitted via the official Unit Extension Form. To ensure timely processing, your application must include appropriate supporting documentation based on the nature of the request:

• Medical or Personal Circumstances: Attach relevant verification, such as a Medical Certificate or a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) notice.

• Project-Related Delays: If the delay is caused by external research factors (such as administrative bottlenecks or system delays), your request must be accompanied by written endorsement from your research mentor.

If you are uncertain whether your circumstances warrant an extension, please review the eligible criteria detailed on the application form and discuss your options with your mentor.

Project Management and Contingency Planning

In research, operational delays are common and should be factored into your timeline. Delays can emerge at any stage, including ethical review, methodological refinement, facility access, participant recruitment, or survey response rates.

To mitigate these risks, incorporate the following benchmarks into your project planning:

• Ethics Approvals: Allocate a minimum of 8 weeks for administrative review and clearance.

• Survey Administration: Allow at least 8 weeks from distribution to achieve adequate response rates.

• Participant Recruitment and Testing: Design robust timelines, as face-to-face recruitment and data collection frequently require extended periods.

As a general rule of thumb, research tasks often take significantly longer than initially anticipated. Proactive timeline management is essential to maintaining project momentum.

Mentor Engagement and Review Timelines

Your research mentor plays a critical role in guiding your work, but they require sufficient time to provide meaningful feedback. To facilitate an effective review process:

• Progressive Drafting: Share drafts with your mentor incrementally as you complete sections, rather than waiting until the end of the teaching period.

• Final Draft Submission: Provide a complete draft to your mentor at least two weeks prior to thesubmission deadline. This ensures your mentor has five working days to review the manuscript, leaving you adequate time to integrate their feedback and finalise the document.

To ensure academic rigour and quality assurance, all assessment tasks, including formal examinations, undergo comprehensive internal review and moderation. 

Marking and Moderation Procedures

Marking is conducted within the Faculty of Health by the unit convenor, and designated faculty assessors. In accordance with the Assessment Policy and Procedures, a representative sample of assessment items is selected for formal moderation. This sample systematically includes:

• All failed submissions.

• A selection of assessments falling on grade borderlines (such as Distinction/High Distinction boundaries).

• A designated percentage of overall submissions.

This moderation framework ensures consistency in grading standards and aligns evaluator expectations with the specific learning outcomes of the unit.

Milestone Management and Mentor Engagement

This unit encompasses a substantial volume of independent research conducted over an extended period. Sustaining project momentum requires a systematic approach to time management and regular communication:

• Milestone Planning: Break down the overarching project into discrete, manageable targets and interim deadlines. Establishing a structured, routine study schedule is critical to ensuring consistent progress.

• Mentor Engagement: Consistent attendance at scheduled mentor meetings is mandatory. These consultations are vital for tracking your progress, refining your research direction, and ensuring timely completion of the unit requirements.

Student Support and Academic Adjustments

The teaching team is committed to supporting your success in this research project. If you require learning adjustments, specific assistance, or extensions on any assessment tasks, please notify the unit convenor as early as possible. Proactive communication ensures that appropriate arrangements can be implemented in a timely manner to facilitate your progress.

Attendance and Engagement Expectations

Active participation in all scheduled activities is a core requirement of this unit. Success in your research project relies heavily on peer collaboration and academic oversight:

• Scheduled Seminars: Attendance at real-time, online lectures is required to engage with key unit content and methodologies.

• Collaborative Consultations: Consistent attendance and active engagement in scheduled meetings with both your research mentor and your study group are essential.