Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Advances student's understanding of research in in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Develops student's research capabilities in the application of research into sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
The course provides first-hand experience with conducting research. The research experience includesﾠcritical analysis of the literature relevant to the project, data collection, data-analysis, interpretation of data, and presentation ofﾠthe research as a conference poster andﾠmanuscript formatted for a peer-reviewed journal.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHTY7931
Restrictions
MPhty students only
Course contact
Course coordinator
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Course staff
Lecturer
Program director
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Student mentor
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Dr Viana Vuvan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The research projects in this course will be presented to students and further developed by consultation between members of the research groups and their advisor
Aims and outcomes
To engage students with experience in key aspects of research related to the physiotherapy profession by developing:
•Capacity to critique literature and to identify new research questions in the context of background evidence
•Skills in research project management, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of research findings via a verbal viva, conference presentation and scientific manuscript.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Professional Participation and Contribution
|
Pass/Fail (MUST PASS) |
9/06/2025 - 10/11/2025 |
| Essay/ Critique |
Individual submission essay of background to research project
|
35% |
20/08/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Examination |
Individual Research Viva 40%/ Group abstract 5%
|
45% |
20/10/2025 8:00 am |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
Journal manuscript
|
20% GROUP TASK |
7/11/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Professional Participation and Contribution
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail (MUST PASS)
- Due date
9/06/2025 - 10/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
You will be required to demonstrate the ability to contribute to and work as part of a team with a common professional purpose. This will include planning and preparation, communication, contribution and active participation in all aspects of the undertaking and completion of the research project.
This is a pass/fail component and must be passed in order to pass the course.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this assessment to receive a passing grade in PHTY7947.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Individual submission essay of background to research project
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
20/08/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student is required to submit the background section (introduction) to a manuscript. The specific research questions to be introduced/justified will be supplied by the student mentors to the students. This will formulate the aim/s and hypothesis/es at the end of the background. There will be no input from the supervisor for this task. Each student should submit their own version of the introduction. This submission has a maximum of 500 words (excluding the title and references).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
one copy via Turnitin
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.
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.
Individual Research Viva 40%/ Group abstract 5%
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
20/10/2025 8:00 am
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student will speak about their research project for 7 minutes. This should cover sufficient information to convey the need for the research, the question addressed, the methods used, the results and implications of these results (e.g., clinical, research). The student will then answer questions from the examiners (8 minutes). Visual aids (PowerPoint) can be used but are not mandatory. This viva assessment will be recorded on Zoom.
This assessment task is to be completed as a live online exam. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
A group abstract should also be submitted via email to the course coordinator prior to the viva exam. One per group. This should be in the format that is acceptable for the target journal chosen for the journal article.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | Powerpoint with lecture notes |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated by Zoom |
Submission guidelines
Zoom link will be provided on the Blackboard. This viva assessment will be recorded on Zoom.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
- less than 5 minutes late: 5% penalty
- between 5 minutes to less than 15 minutes late: 20% penalty
- more than 15 minutes late: 100% penalty.
Journal manuscript
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 20% GROUP TASK
- Due date
7/11/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each group will write a manuscript based on their research findings that is suitable for submission to a peer-review journal. The manuscript must be written according to the guidelines of the selected journal and be less than 3000 (excluding the abstract, tables, figures and references) words (even if the selected journal allows a greater word count). The author guidelines for the selected journal must also be submitted as an Appendices with the manuscruipt. Please note that this is group assessment item. Please submit 2 copies via turnitin per group.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Via Turnitin.
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.
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 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 0 - 34%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 49 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 35 - 49%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 50 - 59 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 50 - 59%. A grade of 3 will be awarded to a student who achieves a final mark of 60% or higher but who does not pass the 'must pass' assessment items noted below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 60 - 69 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 60 - 69%. |
| 5 (Credit) | 70 - 79 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 70 - 79%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 80 - 89 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 80 - 89%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 90 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 90 - 100%. |
Additional course grading information
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half-up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course contains ‘must pass’ assessment items, as follows: Professional Participation and Contribution. You must pass thisﾠitemﾠto pass this course overall, i.e. even if your final percentage mark is 60% or higher the individual ‘must pass’ assessment item must have been passed.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Use of Generative AI in Assessments
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Resubmission/Resit of assessment items
A resit or resubmission of assessment items is not available for this course.
Deferred exams
Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam.
Further details, including how to apply, can be found at -ﾠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When the assessment is submitted throughﾠBlackboardﾠyou will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt. ﾠThis information will also be sent to your student e-mail account. Please ensure you keep this email.
When the assessment is submitted throughﾠTurnitinﾠyou will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at:ﾠhttps://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
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.
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 2 (16 Jun - 22 Jun) |
Workshop |
Preparing a manuscript Discussion on how to write a manuscript for a peer-review journal (focus on introduction and methods) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From O-week To Exam week 1 |
Team Based Learning |
Group Research Project Research groups will work with advisors to complete their projects Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
O-week (21 Jul - 27 Jul) |
Lecture |
Introductory Lecture Introduction to the course Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 9 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Workshop |
Preparing conference abtract and manuscript Discussion on how to prepare an extended conference research abstract and write a manuscript for a peer-review journal (focus on results and discussion) 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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.