MEDIMAGE 740A/B : Research Project

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

No prescription

Course Overview

This course is comprised of supervised research that represents the personal scholarly work of a student. This research will be based on a coherent inquiry, at an advanced level, into an approved topic related to medical imaging. The aim of this course is to develop students’ knowledge of the purpose, nature and practice of research, research skills, and an ability to undertake research relating to medical imaging. It will give students experience in conducting research that strengthens the knowledge and practice of medical imaging, while equipping them with the ability to contribute to medical imaging research in the future. In addition, this course aims to equip the students with critical thinking and research skills that they can draw on to inform their clinical practice. 

This research course is at level 9 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), with students required to review the appropriate literature and conduct medical imaging research. The research will be conducted through an approved research project and supported by a nominated supervisor.

Teaching and administration of the course will be online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It will incorporate a range of supporting learning approaches including videos, webpages, and links to the library databases and resources. Meetings with both teaching and research supervisors will be offered through face-to-face meetings or online. An individual, original project report will be produced on the research project.

This course is a compulsory course within the BMedImag(Hons) programme. 

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in MEDIMAGE 740 A and B, or MEDIMAGE 740

Course Contacts

Course Director
Dr Rhonda-Joy Sweeney
Lecturer
Email: r.sweeney@auckland.ac.nz
https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/people/profile/r-sweeney

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a research proposal for a project that is implementable. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 6.1 and 8.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in research, including impact with respect to Maori and other ethnic and cultural groups, and of the ethics and other approval processes. (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 8.2)
  3. Conduct a literature review that demonstrates highly specialised knowledge, and a critical awareness of issues in the field of study and medical imaging. (Capability 3.2 and 8.1)
  4. Justify the most appropriate methodology for the research topic and report the study methods accurately and fully to minimise bias. (Capability 3.1 and 5.1)
  5. Conduct research using the approved proposal as the framework. (Capability 3.2 and 8.1)
  6. Communicate research findings clearly and accurately through a written project report, to include critical analysis and interpretation of study results. (Capability 3.3, 5.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Project Report 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Project Report
The Project Report is examined according to the University Examination of Sub-Doctoral Postgraduate Research Components of 30 Points and Above Procedures 2021.  

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

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 30-point course represents approximately 300 hours of study. This may be broken down as follows:

  • Set readings and other resources relevant to medical imaging research (20 hours)  
  • Project report, compulsory modules, and self-directed learning (280 hours) 

Delivery Mode

Online

The course will not include live online events.

Attendance on campus may be required for the research project.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

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.

The range of research project types has been expanded to include options inclusive of, but not limited to, traditional research requiring data collection.

Other Information

Communication
All official 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. Staff 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 staff and other students. Email may be used for more private matters. Email communication to University staff 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 responding to messages from peers on 'Discussions'.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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. 

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.

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 profile capabilities, students in the Medical Imaging programmes are required to demonstrate their fitness 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/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/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.