MEDIMAGE 723 Research Methods - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of research methodology and evidence based practice as applied to medical imaging. Addresses the knowledge required to evaluate research and the development of skills and research ethics necessary to conduct medical imaging research.

Course Overview

Provides students with an understanding of evidence-based practice, high-quality published research studies, research methods, data collection, analyses and reporting. Students will use a critical approach to develop a literature review and a research proposal. Core ethical requirements and measures to address the integrity of the research process will be emphasised.

Course Requirements

Restriction: MEDIMAGE 307

Course Contacts

Course Director:

Dr Pippa Bresser

Professional Teaching Fellow

pippa.bresser@auckland.ac.nz

Course Coordinator:

Dr Soo-Hee Jeong

Lecturer

s.jeong@auckland.ac.nz

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Appraise evidence-based practice and emerging scientific research within the context of medical imaging (Capability 1.1 and 4.1)
Appraise a variety of research approaches in medical imaging, and their relative strengths and weaknesses (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
Analyse research data using suitable methods (Capability 2.1 and 3.1)
Formulate a research question, and generate a search strategy and data protocol (Capability 1.1 and 5.1)
Critically appraise published research using discipline-specific language (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
Explain ethical considerations in medical imaging research associated with collecting research data, interpreting, and reporting findings (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Test	20%	Individual Test
Research Proposal	40%	Individual Coursework
Literature Review	40%	Individual Coursework
3 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Test
Research Proposal
Literature Review

This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 50% or more is required to successfully pass this course. Resubmission of failed assessments is not permitted.

Penalties for excessive word count and/or late submission (without prior written approval for an extension) will be applied in accordance with the 'Medical Imaging Assessment Requirements and Presentation Criteria' document.

The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 30 hours of lectures, tutorials and workshops, 60 hours of self-directed reading, class preparation and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments, self-directed learning and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Online

The course will include live online events including tutorials/lectures and these will be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement however, some content will be added as the course progresses.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The required textbook for this course is:

Ramlaul, A. (2020). Medical imaging and radiotherapy research skills and strategies. (2nd ed.). Cham: Springer.

Students will not be expected to purchase this textbook as they can access it online via the Philson Library catalogue.

Students will also be directed to a large selection of readings and other resources that will be accessible online via Canvas and the Philson Library databases.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This course will be offered for the first time in 2023. Feedback will be sought from the 2023 cohort to help inform future improvements.

Other Information

Communication

All ocial communication to a student will be sent to the student’s current University email address (username@aucklanduni.ac.nz) and the student is responsible for ensuring that any desired forwarding to other addresses is in place and operating correctly. Sta will not be responsible for any consequences if students fail to read and respond to University correspondence in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to use the course ‘Discussion’ forum on Canvas as much as possible for communication with sta and other students. Email may be used for more private matters. Email communication to University sta and supervisors must be sent from the student’s University email address. As a general rule, students are advised to log-on at least twice a week. Logging on regularly allows regular checking of 'Announcements' as well as reading and engaging on relevant communication.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

The way to avoid plagiarism is to reference your work. Please refer to the following website for further information about academic referencing: www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/

The Student Academic Conduct Statute (2021) provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. More information can be found in the ‘Medical Imaging Programme Information’ on Canvas.

The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all of the marks for the assignment. Major offences can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee, where further penalties can be imposed.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Postgraduate courses do not have a Class Representative. However, the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Contact details for these representatives will be made available on the Canvas course.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Fitness to practise (FTP)

As health professional students, in addition to meeting the University of Auckland graduate prole capabilities,

students in the Medical Imaging postgraduate programmes are required to demonstrate their tness to

practise. This applies to students at all times, whether they are on campus, on placement or elsewhere.

Fitness to practise (FTP) is concerned primarily with patient and public safety. It also is concerned with

upholding professional standards, including the relevant professional code of conduct, and contributing to the

maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession.

For further information visit FMHS Fitness to Practise Policy (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/theuniversity/

how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-topractise/

fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.html)

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

MEDIMAGE 723 : Research Methods

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)