Epidemiology Research Project

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week (per 12.5 point loading) is expected.

For students enrolled in the Master of Science - Epidemiology

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct independent research under supervision. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad range of epidemiological issues.

Students will be required to design an epidemiological study to answer a specific research question and develop a research proposal for its conduct; and to analyse an existing epidemiological dataset or undertake a substantial meta-analysis of existing studies. Students will give two oral presentations, one on the research proposal and the other on the data analysis component.

Students will also develop skills in writing scientific reports and giving oral presentations.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science (Epidemiology program) are required to complete a 50 point Research Project. Students will need to discuss and receive approval for their proposed combination of Research Project subjects (as indicated below) with the course coordinator to ensure they will have completed a total of 50 points by the end of their course.

After completing this subject, students will have skills in:

• Critical appraisal of the epidemiological literature
• Designing epidemiological studies
• Preparing research proposals and protocols
• Analysing and interpreting data from epidemiological studies
• Writing scientific reports and manuscripts

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 50 point Research Project.

• A 20 minute oral presentation (10%) due early in the second semester of this subject
• A grant proposal and research protocol of 5000 words plus study documents (forms, questionnaires), (40%, hurdle) due early in the second semester of this subject
• A final 20 minute oral presentation (10%) due towards the end of the second semester of this subject
• A written report suitable for publication of 5000 words plus tables and figures describing an analysis of existing data or of a meta-analysis of existing studies (40%, hurdle) due towards the end of the second semester of this subject

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students will gain skills in:

• articulating the breadth of knowledge gained in a particular discipline;
• critically appraising draft documents;
• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;
• expressing persuasive intellectual arguments;
• writing research reports and scientific papers;
• giving oral presentations;
• rigorous and independent thinking; and
• managing time and competing deadlines