65315 Forensic Research Project
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 65316 Criminalistics
Description
In this subject students act as forensic science research consultants for industry relevant projects. Students work collaboratively to design, implement, analyse and report on operational forensic research questions. Through the workshop classes students are able to develop their research literacy, data analysis, written and oral communication skills. During the practical classes students develop their practical skills through the inquiry-oriented practical nature of the subject. At the end of the subject, students have produced an original body of research that contributes to the research culture of forensic science. This subject also provides students with a strong foundation should they wish to pursue further research in Honours or other postgraduate study.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Critically evaluate forensic science literature to formulate research questions and interpret experimental results |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design experiments that aim to address a research question |
| 3. | Generate and analyse results using appropriate tools and techniques |
| 4. | Incorporate experimental methods, results and observation into a laboratory notebook |
| 5. | Compose a scientific report and scientific poster that summarises the outcomes of your experimental work |
| 6. | Communicate experimental plans and findings in a clear manner |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply investigative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to forensic science problems and design experimental methods to test hypotheses and critically analyse and interpret data. (2.1)
- Practise safe, ethical, and professional conduct with consideration for the role of forensic science in addressing current and future challenges faced by law enforcement, the legal system, security, and the wider community. (3.1)
- Apply forensic science professional skills with a high degree of personal autonomy and reflection to demonstrate initiative and innovative thinking in solving complex forensic problems. (4.1)
- Demonstrate skills in communicating experimental conclusions, expert opinion, and the justification of professional decisions related to forensic science processes effectively to expert, scientific, and non-expert audiences. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Graduate Attribute 2: Research, inquiry and critical thinking
In this subject, students will be allocated an industry research proposal, from this proposal they will need to work collaboratively to design and conduct the experiments that will attempt to address the research question. Students will need to research the literature in order to develop an achievable project plan within the time frame and exhibit a high degree of autonomy in completing their goals. Students will be supported in the development of their research and critical thinking skills through a series of scaffolded workshops which will focus on the important skills they will need to complete the research project. During the workshop, students will be given activities that provide them an opportunity to develop and receive feedback on their research skills so they an implement these into their research projects. Students will be assessed on these skills as part of assessment task 1, 3 and 4.
Graduate Attribute 3 Professional, ethical and social responsibility
This subject aims to provide students with a work-integrated learning experience by having students work as forensic science research consultants for industry. Students will need to apply their knowledge and understanding from their previous subjects to achieve their research aims. In order to successfully complete their projects, students will need to conduct a research risk management plan and assess any potential hazards that their work may pose. Students will also need to consider any potential ethics implications of their work as well as the appropriate management of their data. Students will be provided with activities to help guide the students through these areas, in these classes students will receive written feedback on their risk management plans and ethical reflections. Students will be assessed on these skills in assessment task 1 and 2.
Graduate Attribute 4: Reflection, innovation and creativity
As a researcher, students will need to think critically and creatively in order to design experiments that will help them address their research question. Each week students will need to reflect on their previous weeks experiments to adapt their future experiments. Students will develop their reflective practices through the practical classes and the lab notebook. Each week students will need to summarise their experiments in order to determine the best course of action. Students will also be provided with opportunities in the practical and workshop classes to discuss and receive feedback on their project ideas with staff. Students will be assessed on their reflection in assessment task 2.
Graduate Attribute 5: Communication
An important skill for any researcher is the ability to communicate their results and findings to a wide variety of audiences. Students will have an opportunity to develop their verbal and written communication skills. Building on their experience from previous subjects, students will prepare and present an oral project plan that will form the basis of their research project. As the semester goes on, students will further develop their communication skills through the translation of experimental observations and raw data in the lab notebook to a scientific paper and poster. Students will develop these skills in the specific workshops where they will have an opportunity to review and benchmark example posters and presentations. Students will be assessed on their communication skills in assessment tasks 1, 3 and 4.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will attend a series of workshops and practical classes, these classes provide students with an opportunity to work collaboratively on their allocated projects.
Workshops and independent learning activities
Each week the workshop classes will focus on building the students skills in different areas that will ultimately support them to conduct their research and complete their project. During workshops students will work collaboratively on a series of exercises designed to strengthen their skills in a wide range of areas including literature searching and management, referencing, data analysis, report writing and presentation skills. During these classes students will have an opportunity to apply these skills on their experimental results. Students will receive written and verbal feedback on these activities both in class and through submissions online. There will also be an opportunity for students to engage in peer-feedback during these classes as they present draft posters and updates from their experimental work.
Practicals
During the practical classes students will work in groups of 3-4 students on an allocated industry proposed project. Students will need to implement an achievable project plan within the time frame of the semester and design experiments in order to obtain meaningful outcomes. During the practicals students will be required to work autonomously and collaboratively in order to complete their project. Students will be guided through the initial stages of their project, however by the end of the project the students should have the skills to be independent researchers. Throughout the practical classes, students will have the opportunity to discuss their experimental plans with staff and receive feedback on their progress and proposals.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Content (topics)
Students will learn:
- Experimental design
- Literature searching and referencing
- Risk management
- Data analysis
- Scientific poster preparation
- Scientific journal writing
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Project Presentations
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Project Presentation: 10 Minute Presentation |
| Criteria: | A full rubric will be provided on Canvas with specific guidelines and information for each of the below criteria. For the project plan, students will be assessed on: For the scientific poster students will be assessed on: |
Assessment task 2: Laboratory Notebook
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | A full rubric will be provided on Canvas with specific guidelines and information for each of the below criteria. The content of their laboratory notebooks: Does it contain all the data and information necessary to reproduce the experiment and works? Presentation: Is the lab notebook set out in a clear and concise manner that is easy to follow and structured in a logical way? |
Assessment task 3: Scientific Journal Article
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 3000-5000 words |
| Criteria: | A full rubric will be provided on Canvas with specific guidelines and information for each of the below criteria. Ability to retrieve and incorporate scientific literature |
Minimum requirements
Students are strongly recommended to attend all practicals and workshops.
The practicals for this subject are an integral part of learning the material, thus students are strongly recommended to attend all scheduled practical sessions. Failure to attend a class that is associated with an assessment item will attract a mark of zero for that assessment item unless an acceptable reason for the absence, supported by relevant documentary evidence, is provided.
English language proficiency: It is a requirement of this subject that you complete Assessment task 3. Should you receive an unsatisfactory English language level, you may be required to complete further language support after the completion of this subject.