Research Studies in Vision and Optometry

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment - 340 hours

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For the purposes of considering requests 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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Note: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry.

This subject aims to introduce the student to the research culture in the discipline by involvement in an investigation in vision science under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. The project will usually involve an in-depth appraisal of the scientific literature and, as appropriate to the topic, the use of biochemical, molecular biological, pharmacological, neurophysiological, psychophysical, computational, epidemiological or advanced clinical techniques. The practical component of the project will be typically undertaken as a collaborative team effort and a manuscript prepared by each student separately. There will be a series of lectures/tutorials that will provide students with the fundamentals of statistics that optometry students and newly graduated optometrists need to know to faciliate evidence-based practice. More complex research statistics will be covered in the group research project.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have attained skills in problem-identification and problem-solving, and developed expertise in applying these skills to scientific problems in the vision sciences and/or optometry;
• understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project;
• be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way; and
• have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of research in the vision sciences and/or optometry
• have attained statistical skill and knowledge that allows the application of research evidence to clinical practice

• Ongoing assessment of individual performance in the laboratory or other settings throughout the year (10%)
• A 60-minute written exam taken end of semester 1 (10%)
• An individually prepared 4,000-word manuscript due end of semester 2 (80%)
• A 1,000-word written group project proposal due first half of semester 1 (hurdle requirement)
• A 500-word group poster presentation due mid semester 2 (hurdle requirement)

Satisfactory completion of all assessment items is required to pass this subject.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
• have a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
• be able to work as part of a team to address a common goal;
• have a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
• be able to independently advance their professional expertise and knowledge in optometry;
• be able to evaluate scientific literature as a foundation to evidence based practice;
• be able to articulate the interpretation of data in written form;
• be able to integrate knowledge from different domains and articulate knowledge and understanding in written and oral forms;
• value the collection and recording of accurate and complete data.