Academic Writing,Ethics&Critical Enquiry

Subject PHTY90075 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Campus based lectures, tutorials and seminars

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 30 hours of contact time (lectures, tutorials and seminars) over the semester (3 hours per fortnight and two half-day seminars)
Total Time Commitment: 80 hours of self-directed learning
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: None

Coordinator

Dr Clare Delany

Contact

Dr Clare Delany
Subject Overview:

Academic writing forms a key component of all research and postgraduate study. This subject will provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of the skills in professional academic writing including critical analysis of physiotherapy practice and research. In addition, students will be introduced to the important role of ethics in acdemic activities of writing and research and more generally the role of ethics clinical practice.

Topics will include:

  • Key features of academic writing such as common formats, conventions and purposes
  • Processes of academic writing
  • Distinguishing structural features of and preparation necessary for essays, assignments, case studies, grant applications and research papers
  • Literature searching and retrieving
  • Critical enquiry in academic writing
  • Referencing styles and conventions
  • Ethics in writing
  • Ethics in research
  • Ethics in clinical practice
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will have had the opportunity to:

  • Recongnise the key features and components of academic writing
  • Critique different styles of academic writing and distinguish between purposes, structure and characteristics
  • Recognise good academic writing
  • Develop skills in writing using established academic styles
  • Recognise and understand how to incorporate ethics into academic writing
  • Recognise how ethical principles that underpin clinical practice similarly apply to academic activity as a postgraduate student
Assessment:

Two written assignments as follows:

  • 1,500 word critical review of 2 types of academic writing, due mid-semester (30%)
  • 3,500 word essay presenting a critical analysis of physiotherapy clinical practice using current research and professional literature in an area of clinical practice, clinical ethics, or research, due at the end of semester (70%)
Prescribed Texts:

None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will have had the opportunity to:

  • Develop an appreciation of the team approach to learning academic skills
  • Develop an appreciation of the importance and development of, good written and verbal communication skills to articulate knowledge in professional writing and ethical practice
  • Build on their ability to evaluate and synthesise research and professional literature, and apply this information to a range of academic tasks
  • Understand issues pertaining to copyright, plagiarism and intellectual property

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