96127 Research Project in Speech Pathology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96123 Literature Review in Speech Pathology AND 96121 Stuttering AND 96125 Acquired Communication Disability in Adults AND 96126 Speech Pathology Clinical Practice 2
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
In this elective, students learn how to conduct research and communicate the results to a wide audience. They are supervised in the ethical conduct of a small individual or group project. Students learn how to write up research into a format suitable for publication as a scientific journal article, and how to use social media for research translation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 048. | Use a process of reflection to identify areas for quality improvement. |
|---|---|
| 056. | Contribute to preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics. |
| 060. | Participate in research initiated and/or supported by others as appropriate. |
| 061. | Explain both qualitative and quantitative paradigms of research using examples from the field of speech pathology. |
| 062. | Appraise and report on selected research in terms of rigour and the degree of confidence that can be placed in the results. |
| 064. | Search for, locate, and identify research and related literature (e.g., clinical guidance documents, policy statements, laws and rules) relevant to the field of speech pathology. |
| 065. | Appropriately resolve problems relating to the ethical conduct of human research. |
| 066. | Critically appraise research and directions for future speech pathology research. |
| 067. | Contribute new knowledge to the field of speech pathology through synthesis of the literature or original research. |
| 069. | Explain and disseminate research findings into written, verbal, and visual communication modalities to support the translation of relevant findings into future clinical practice and research. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Practice as entry-level speech pathologists in the assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. (1.1)
- Reflect on their own knowledge, skills and attributes to identify areas for continuing professional development; and engage in learning activities that enable their further development of skills in contemporary practice. (2.1)
- Apply the design elements of research; analyse and synthesise literature; identify gaps in the literature; and be able to contribute to new research in the field of speech pathology. (2.2)
- Embody professionalism in their ethical practice; their collaboration with clients, families, and communities; and their person-centred approach to practice. (3.1)
- Communicate effectively in both face-to-face and online interactions in their professional practice; and present accessible information with clarity to a variety of audiences. (3.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of graduate attributes
1.Practice ready
Graduates of the Master of Speech Pathology are knowledgeable, practice-ready, entry-level clinicians. They are competent in the assessment, treatment, and management of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan as both independent and collaborative practitioners.
2.Evidence-Based
Graduates of the Master of Speech Pathology are evidence-based practitioners who embrace the continual pursuit of knowledge. They make decisions that are informed by the latest research, practitioner expertise, client values, and the context of the decisions. Graduates use contemporary digital health technologies and are ready to draw upon the evidence base to contribute to the user-centred co-design of technological advances in the field of speech pathology.
3.Professional and collaborative
Graduates of the Master of Speech Pathology have a professional, ethical, and person-centred inclusive approach to practice. They demonstrate effective communication skills with clients, families, and communities in the design and delivery of clinical services. Graduates keep abreast of local and global developments relevant to speech pathology, embrace opportunities for leadership roles, and advocate for the profession in team contexts. They integrate knowledge of health education and disability systems and concerns in national and global communities into their clinical practice.
4.Culturally capable
Graduates of the Master of Speech Pathology are culturally capable professionals, who are able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives. They accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through adopting a consultative approach. Graduates seek to engage with Indigenous Australian communities in the design of culturally sensitive and appropriate services, in support of the human right to self-determination. Graduates respect diversity in all people, including people with disability and people of diverse cultural and linguistic background.
Teaching and learning strategies
The primary learning strategy for this subject is self-directed learning in conjunction with regular consultation with your
primary supervisor. The learning topics includes statistical analysis and interpretation of data (usually via SPSS) or qualitative analysis and interpretation of data (usually via thematic analysis); plus writing up a scientific paper in the format of a selected peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Ethical Conduct of Research and Storage of Research Data
| Intent: | Human research conducted at the University must be ethically approved. Research in speech pathology should be conducted in compliance with the NHMRC and AHMRC guidelines for the ethical conduct of research. Researchers in the field of speech pathology must govern data collection appropriately, observing protocols for the protection of participants, and also for storage of data, and management of data in terms of retrieval and analysis. Data collection instruments and protocols should be observed both in terms of ethical conduct of the research and scientific quality of the study. The intent of this assessment is to determine the student’s capacity to manage research data appropriately. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 048, 060 and 065 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Not applicable. A UTS STASH report proforma will be provided. |
| Criteria: | This is a hurdle task. The ethical approval letter or email should be submitted along with the Data Management Plan. |
Assessment task 2: Research Thesis (Must Pass)
| Intent: | Speech pathologists conducting research have an ethical and often legal responsibility to report on this research to funding bodies, researchers, and the public. The intent of this task is to assess the student’s ability to report the findings of research (related to the project approved in Assessment Item 1) appropriately in a scientific manner, for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 048, 056, 060, 061, 062, 064, 065, 066, 067 and 069 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 |
| Type: | Thesis |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | 5000-8,000 words |
| Criteria: | See Canvas for the marking criteria. |
Assessment task 3: Research Engagement and Translation
| Intent: | Speech pathologists engaging in research should consider end-users from the outset and also proceed to translation of the research to the wider public and influential organisations. The intent of this task is to assess the student’s ability to plan for research translation and dissemination beyond writing of a thesis and into written and oral presentations to a range of audiences. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 056, 061 and 069 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 2.2 and 3.2 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 500 words – Blog post 500 words or Script for radio 500 words; Presentation 5 minutes |
| Criteria: | See Canvas for the marking criteria. Please note, while the assignment is due on week 14, the seminar date for the oral presentation is to be advised on Canvas and could be earlier (e.g., week 12-13). |
Minimum requirements
The minimum requirements to pass the subject are:
- Maintain regular meeting with supervisor(s).
- Submission of all subject assessment tasks
- Achievement of at least 50% grade overall across the subject assessment tasks
- There is a must-pass assessment in this subject. Please check assessment descriptions for details.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)