Course coordinator
Dr Lori Delaney
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
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This course provides students with the necessary skills to perform a review of the scientific literature relevant to the research question chosen for their research thesis. Students conduct a literature review, critique the relevant literature and synthesise the information.
Advanced Discipline Readings is a foundational course designed to equip Honours research students with the critical skills required to conduct a scholarly review of scientific literature related to their chosen research topic. Throughout this course, you will develop the ability to critically appraise, synthesize, and contextualise existing research within your discipline, laying the groundwork for your Honours thesis. Through engaging with your supervisory team, you will refine your ability to critically evaluate literature. This course also fosters the development of academic writing, analytical reasoning, and research synthesis skills, which are essential for success in both academic and professional settings. Through interactive discussions with your supervisory team and structured feedback, you will be supported in developing and refining your honours project and your scholarly skills.
Course requirements
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
NUMW6002
Restrictions
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours)
Course contact
Timetable
Additional timetable information
This course does not contain formalised timetabled activities. Rather, students are to engage with their supervisory team to schedule weekly meetings to discuss their research activities and progress throughout the semester.
Aims and outcomes
To provide you with the necessary skills to perform a scholarly review of the scientific literature relevant to the research question that you have chosen for your research thesis. The course is designed to provide you with one-on-one academic mentoring and librarian support in order to learn how to conduct a literature review, critique the relevant literature and synthesize the information.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify a problem suitable for research and pose a research question.
LO2.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to systematically research the scientific literature in your topic area.
LO3.
Critique and synthesize the literature throughout the review.
LO4.
Provide a written literature review of a quality that is commensurate with a publication in a relevant academic journal.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assessment 1: Literature Critique | 60% |
7/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assessment 2: PICO Research Question | 40% |
6/05/2025 1:00 pm |
Assessment details
Assessment 1: Literature Critique
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
7/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This task requires students to conduct a literature review relevant to their chosen research topic. The review is intended to provide a thorough background to the research topic, and will help you to identify the gap in current knowledge that will be addressed by your research project.
Student are advised to refer to the assessment tasksheet located on the NUMW6001 Blackboard site for additional details.
Submission guidelines
Students are required to submit their work via Turnitin as a word document only. Documents submitted in any other format (e.g. PDF) will not be accepted and student will be asked to resubmit and may incur a late penalty as a result. Please check the course Blackboard assessment area for specific instructions on this process. A link will be made available in the assessment area of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.
The anti plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applying for an extension
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ .
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
- Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.
- The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length.
- Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).
Outcome of application
Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
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.
Assessment 2: PICO Research Question
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
6/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The aim of this assessment item is for students to demonstrate the process of developing a researchable question. The PICO(T) or SPIDER framework must be used to: plan and guide a search strategy for a literature critique; assist in the identification of inclusion and exclusion criteria; assist in determining the types of literature to include; and guide the selection of databases.
Students are advised to refer to the assessment tasksheet located on the NUMW6001 Blackboard site to additional details.
Submission guidelines
Students are required to submit their work via Turnitin as a word document only. Documents submitted in any other format (e.g. PDF) will not be accepted and students will be asked to resubmit and may incur a late penalty as a result. Please check the course Blackboard assessment area for specific instructions on this process. A link will be made available in the assessment area of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.
The anti plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applying for an extension
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ .
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
- Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.
- The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length.
- Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).
Outcome of application
Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.9 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 46.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 64.5 - 74.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 74.5 - 84.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 84.5 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
ﾠAll items of assessment must be undertaken and submitted for students to be eligible to pass the course. The pass grade for this course is an accumulated score of 50%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Use of AI in assessment items:
The assessment tasks in this course have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The Blackboard site contains information that may support your learning.ﾠProgression in this course will be student led with regular supervisor meetings to support student learning.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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Exam week 2 |
Not Timetabled |
Supervisor Meetings Students are to arrange regular meeting with supervisory team regarding roles and responsibilities. Set clear meeting times and agenda items and plan of work for the semester. Students are encouraged to set meeting adgenda and develop written summaries of what was agreed upon actions for each of the meetings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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.