Course coordinator
Professor Sarah McNaughton
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
This course allows students to undertake a small research project under the direction of a professional mentor and supervisor. This course allows students to demonstrate the national competency standards for safe entry level practice.
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and complete a small research project or a component of a larger project. It will build on the development of research skills introduced in the prerequisite courses, and complements DIET7301 Evidence Based Practice in Dietetics.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
There are prerequisites of DIET7101 to DIET7107 and DIET7203 to DIET7205 which build on the prior background of biochemistry, physiology and nutrition science. Relevant evidence-based practice guidelines and NHMRC hierarchy of evidence were covered in DIET7101 and 7201, and are further developed in DIET7301.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DIET7101, DIET7103, DIET7107, DIET7205, DIET7203, DIET7105, DIET7106
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DIET7302
Restrictions
Master of Dietetic Studies
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Sarah McNaughton
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Students undertake 5 workshops conducted by the Course Co-ordinator throughout the semester aimed at supporting students through the research project journey. Students are expected to attend all workshops.
An optional oral presentation practice session (tutorial) will also be conducted.
Students are primarily working with their project supervisorﾠto conduct their research projects and are expected to meet regularly with their project-specific supervisor in addition to the scheduled learning activities.ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
This course builds on critical thinking and research methods developed in the prerequisite courses and aims to provide students with experience in completing a small research project or a component of a larger research project.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of nutrition research methodology and research principles.
LO2.
Conduct research using appropriate methods, ethical procedures and statistical analysis.
LO3.
Communicate findings in an appropriate manner.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Research Project Proposal | 20% |
24/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Final Research Report
|
50% |
17/06/2025 9:00 am
The final report is to be submitted prior to the start of the oral presentations session. |
| Presentation |
Presentation
|
30% |
17/06/2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. |
Assessment details
Research Project Proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
24/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This is a 2-page proposal to outline the background, research question, proposed methods and significance of your project. Students will also include a draft time line of activities to be conducted during the semester in order to complete the research project by the Final Report Due Date.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 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.
Final Research Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
17/06/2025 9:00 am
The final report is to be submitted prior to the start of the oral presentations session.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The final report is to be written in the format of a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If an extension for the submission of the report is sought, students must also seek an extension for the presentation, as both take place on the same day, and as the report must be submitted prior to the presentation.
DIET7109 is in the final semester of the MDietSt Program. Applications for extensions on this assessment item may not allow the School sufficient time to finalise your mark for this assessment item and subsequently your grade for the course. Your grade may be held as incomplete (INC) on the finalisation of grades. Your grade will be finalised once all marks for the course have been finalised. Please be mindful of the impacts this may have on your graduation eligibility.
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.
Presentation
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
17/06/2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
Students are presenting their project including background, aims or research question, methods, results and conclusion in a conference style presentation to the class, supervisors, guests and assessors. Students also answer at least 2 questions from the audience /assessment panel.
Recording of Assessment:
When a student is required to complete an oral or practical assessment item worth 20% or more, the performance will be recorded and retained as per Appendix 1 as the official recording of the item for re-mark purposes.
Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed for the purposes of:
i. moderation of marking
ii. provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
iii. re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
Submission guidelines
To be presented in-person.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If an extension for the submission of the report is sought, students must also seek an extension for the presentation, as both take place on the same day, and as the report must be submitted prior to the presentation.
DIET7109 is in the final semester of the MDietSt Program. Applications for extensions on this assessment item may not allow the School sufficient time to finalise your mark for this assessment item and subsequently your grade for the course. Your grade may be held as incomplete (INC) on the finalisation of grades. Your grade will be finalised once all marks for the course have been finalised. Please be mindful of the impacts this may have on your graduation eligibility.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy most or all of the basic requirements of the course: (typically 0 - 24%) |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline:ﾠFails to satisfy some of the basic requirements of the course. Clear deficiencies in performance, but evidence that some basic requirements have been met: (typically 25ﾠ- 44%) |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline:ﾠFails to satisfy all basic requirements for Pass but is close to satisfactory overall and has compensating strengths in some aspects: (typically 45- 49%) |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline:ﾠSatisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course: (typically 50 - 64%) |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the discipline:ﾠDemonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight: (typically 65 - 74%) |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience:ﾠDemonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and more subtle aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas: (typically 75 - 84%) |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications:ﾠDemonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting, surprising, exciting, challenging or erudite: (typically 85 - 100%) |
Additional course grading information
A final percentage mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 64.50 and above will be rounded to 65 and 64.49 and below will be rounded down to 64) .
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Attendance at workshops
Attendance at all workshops is strongly encouraged as material covered in the workshops will assist in successfully completing all aspects of this course. Workshops are intended to be interactive and workshops will not be recorded. Workshop slides will be available on Blackboard.
Students who miss a workshop must complete an absentee form and email the form as soon as possible to your course coordinator no later than two (2) calendar days after the date of the original class was held. You must submit supporting documentation along with your request. Please review the information listed on the medical or extenuating circumstances page for information about acceptable supporting documentation.
Any non-approved absences may result in being placed under the Fitness to Study policy.
What is Turnitin
Turnitin is an electronic assignment submission tool. The tool provides your Course Coordinator with:
· a record of the exact submission time of an assignment
· an originality report indicating the percentage of your work that is an exact match of existing materials within the Turnitin database.
Instructions on how to submit an assignment using Turnitin are located on the UQ Library website
Submit your Turnitin assignment - Library Guide
Note:
When submitting, to check that you have chosen the correct file on the Preview Submission page and click on the Submit to Turnitin button. ﾠ
Remember to download your digital receipt in your Assignment inbox to confirm successful submission.
If a submission cannot be successfully completed, email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Administrator. For contact details refer to Course Contact section of the Course Profile.
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.
Additional learning resources information
The School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences liaison librarian is available for individual appointments to assist with advanced information retrieval skills. Ask the course coordinator for further information.
ﾠ
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 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 1 In person workshop. Overview of course and expectations. How to work with your supervisor effectively. Project and time management. Library and endnote skills. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 2 In person workshop. Literature review skills. Developing your research questions and aims, writing a research proposal (covering elements of the research proposal assessment). Study design and research methods. Students will be asked to prepare and present a summary of the project (3 minutes, 3 slides). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
Workshop 3 Online workshop. Study design and research methods Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Workshop |
Workshop 4 Online workshop. Writing skills. Dealing with feedback from supervisors. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Workshop |
Workshop 5 Online workshop. Writing skills (continued). Presentation skills. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Revision week (02 Jun - 08 Jun) |
Workshop |
Oral Presentation Practice In Person. Optional. Student will have an opportunity to practice their final presentation with the class and receive feedback. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: