James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

TM5310 - Dissertation 2

Subject Description

Students must contact the subject coordinator Dr Iyke Emeto (theophilus.emeto@jcu.edu.au) prior to enrolment. This subject aims to allow students to demonstrate an indepth level of skill in research in public health and tropical medicine, to a high degree of sophistication. The amount of work required is that associated with a 9 unit subject - this is approximately 390 hours. Students must complete an independent piece of research in order to fulfil the requirements of this subject, as well as an oral presentation describing the research. Research must result in the advancement of knowledge in the field of public health or tropical medicine. Research that does not have this component will not be suitable for successful completion of this subject. Ideally students should submit for assessment of this subject a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. However this is not a requirement. Students can submit a report, or the research project can be submitted in the format that is appropriate for a published manuscript. However, the work should be of a sufficient standard for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Students may choose to submit more than one manuscript (e.g., two separate manuscripts describing two components of the work) if appropriate. Students must negotiate supervision by relevant academic staff within the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences. This should be done with the advice of the subject coordinator. Ethics approvals etc must be obtained from all relevant organisations prior to conducting the research.

Learning Outcomes

• apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and ethically execute a substantive research-based project, and/or piece of scholarship
• integrate and apply an advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge in the disciplines of public health and tropical medicine
• communicate theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through advanced literacy and numeracy skills to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• Specifically, students will demonstrate competence in the following tasks: undertake a critical review of the available literature; develop a research proposal; develop an ethics application (where appropriate); conduct a substantial research project and report the findings in a relevant format, in the context of limitations and strengths, and previous literature

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Written > Project report - (80%) - Individual
• Written > Proposal - (10%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more; Complete and submit all assessment.

Availabilities