Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify research questions, and design and implement a research plan.
2. Conduct a literature review.
3. Analyse and/or summarise research data sets.
4. Synthesise meaning from data, observations, or existing research and present coherent arguments.
5. Produce written research outputs (grant applications, reports, publications) to publication standards.
6. Develop research planning and management skills including meeting milestones and maintaining communication with research supervisors and collaborators, and completing a research project.

Work Integrated Learning

Projects

Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course

Other Information

This course is restricted to enrolled students undertaking the ANU Doctor of Medicine and Surgery.

Students must have submitted a Research Project Planning Form in order to enrol in this course. Details about how the form is obtained and completed will be disseminated during the first year of enrolment in the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program.

Academic progress required for medical programs (Academic Progress Rule 2019 )

(1) If a medical student fails 1 or more courses in the student’s medical program in any year of enrolment in the program, the student is considered to have failed to maintain a satisfactory standard of academic progress in the student’s medical program, and is regarded as on probation for the remainder of the program. 

(4) If a medical student to whom subsection (1) applies fails, for a second or subsequent time, any course in the student’s medical program in any year of enrolment in the program, the Delegated Authority may exclude the student from medical programs for a specified period of no longer than 5 years. 

(8) If a medical student fails a second or later year ANU Medical School [since 2023 School of Medicine and Psychology] professional practice course, the student is considered to have failed to maintain a satisfactory standard of academic progress in the student’s medical program and the Delegated Authority may exclude the student from medical programs for a specified period of no longer than 5 years.

Indicative Assessment

1. Research Project Development Form (10) [LO 1,2,6]
2. Research Project (90) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

This course must be enrolled in twice over two consecutive semesters (3 units + 3 units)

Each student is required to undertake a research project of at least 130 hours in duration of relevance to health or medicine.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements for the ANU Doctor of Medicine and Surgery are guided by the Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand Inclusive Medical Education guidance note:

Communication skills – verbal, non-verbal and written

• Medical students will be expected to communicate effectively and sensitively with a range of different people to establish rapport, involve patients and carers in decision making, and practise in a culturally safe way to deliver high quality, safe care. This applies to listening, speaking, reading, writing, and the capability to use these different modes to elicit information from people, often under pressure and in difficult situations.

Professionalism

• Medical students will be expected to demonstrate capabilities consistent with those of a medical professional, including a commitment to making the care of patients their priority, and to practise safely and effectively, treat people with dignity and respect, and be aware of the limits of their own knowledge, skills and health. They will also be required to comply with the law, regulations and any other university codes or policies.

Insight into their own health and behaviour

• Medical students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to recognise when they experience poor health and put in place effective processes to ensure their own health or behaviours do not pose a risk to others.

It should be recognised that there may be cases where students will not be able to meet the requirements of the program, even with reasonable adjustments. Steps should then be taken by university staff to provide guidance on other study options available.

Requisite and Incompatibility

You will need to contact the School of Medicine and Psychology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Prescribed Texts

Refer to the course Learning Management System.

Preliminary Reading

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links