Course coordinator
Dr Karan Gulati
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Dentistry School
This course provides a foundation in dental research, methods, and practice. It includes competency-building activities that enhance student learning through the review of published research, tutorials, and quizzes/assignments.
DENT3021 Research Informed Practice I is the first course of the Evidence-based Practice Stream within the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) program.
The course equips students to evaluate research and apply an evidence-based approach to clinical practice. Students will be introduced to the research process from a researcher's perspective and begin developing the skills and knowledge key to successful research.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DENT3000
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Karan Gulati
Dr Nima Kianoush
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The course includes a 2-hour lecture and 1-hour tutorial per week.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to enable you to:
- Apply the fundamentals of the research process to a clinical context and use an evidence-based approach to your clinical practice.
- Integrate clinical knowledge and research skills to read and evaluate dental research literature.
- Synthesise and communicate the evidence underpinning your clinical practice to various audiences.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply basic oral epidemiology terminology, definitions and calculations using manual and technology-assisted methods
LO2.
Critically review and synthesise existing evidence from a range of sources to develop coherent and logical arguments
LO3.
Produce informed and original research questions and hypotheses for a health-based context
LO4.
Compare and contrast study designs used to answer clinical questions in oral health research
LO5.
Interpret and professionally communicate evidence-based practice knowledge, skills and ideas to expert audiences
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Tutorial Assignment | 30% |
24/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Literature Review Assignment | 30% |
31/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
Tutorial Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
24/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L05
Task description
This is an in-semester task that involves a tutorial problem set covering applied concepts from tutorials between week 1 and week 10 and may include dental research designs in dental public health.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Literature Review Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
In this assessment, you will develop research skills that are essential for applying an evidence-based approach to your clinical practice. You will also improve your formal academic research writing skills, including structuring your work effectively, ensuring logical progression and flow, organizing paragraphs, and using appropriate citation styles. These skills will be crucial as you prepare for your final year research project. The assessment will involve finding relevant literature related to an oral health research question and then methodically analyzing this literature to assess the information and evidence used to support the research.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End of Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
A 90 minute written exam that may consist of multiple choice, short answer questions, short essays and problem-solving covering content from Week 1 to Week 13 (inclusive).
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50% OR Attains the overall pass mark BUT has failed one hurdle requirement |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall marks of 75% but less than 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% and has passed the hurdle requirements |
Additional course grading information
Students must reasonably attempt all assessment tasks in order to pass the course.
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number - e.g., 84.4% rounds down to 84%, and 84.5% rounds up to 85%. This applies to all grade cutoffs except for a grade of 4. The minimum pass mark is 50%, and a pass cannot be achieved by rounding up from 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Research in Dentistry Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T1: Intro to outcome measure and measure of association [DPH] Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Reading a Research Article Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T2: Research Study Design: Randomised Clinical Trial Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Research Writing Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T3: Research Study Design: Cohort Studies Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Dental Research: Materials Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Dental Research: Biology Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T4: Research Study Design: Case-Control Studies Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Dental Research: Nanotechnology Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T5: Confounding and Bias Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Dental Public Health Research Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
T6: Accessing Data and Sampling Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T7: Matching and Effect Modification Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Lecture |
Writing Literature Review Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T8: Survey Design Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Lecture |
Ethics in Research Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Tutorial |
T9: Intro to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Lecture |
Finding a Research Topic Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: