Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Optometrists in clinical practice are required to reflect upon and modify their practice to incorporate knowledge of the most recent research evidence into the evidence base for their mode of practice. This requires skills in the critical evaluation, interpretation and application of research in both fundamental and applied aspects of optometry and vision science.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to further develop skills in the evaluation, interpretation and application of research in optometry and vision science.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. demonstrate a working knowledge of a range of research approaches and techniques relevant to the discipline of Optometry

2. conduct a review of literature appropriate to the project topic to inform the research question

3. conduct a research project

4. analyse, interpret and discuss experimental results

Postgraduate capabilities addressed in this unit include:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding in a specialized field
  
• Professional knowledge and skills in a specialist area of practice
  
• Engagement in new fields of clinical practice and research

Undergraduate capabilities reinforced through this unit include:

• theoretical and practical knowledge pertinent to optometry
  
• technological and research skills appropriate to optometry
  
• social and ethical responsibility
  
• effective communication in a variety of contexts

Content

In this unit you will develop and conduct an experimental research project in a topic relevant to optometry or vision science. You will be required to produce an experimental protocol, submit for ethics approval, and run the experiment and collect, collate and analyse the experimental data.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The development of the project in this unit will be facilitated through tutorial meetings with your project supervisor, and supported by tutorials on research design topics.

Assessment

There are 3 components of Summative assessment in this unit.

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: This will focus on a review of literature appropriate to the project topic which informs the research question under development.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Report
Description: In this item you will describe the experimental protocol to be performed, outlining the experimental and data collection methods to be followed.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Report
Description: This will include an analysis of the experimental results and a discussion of their potential significance.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Journal resources:(not an exclusive list)
Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science
Optometry and Vision Science
Ophthalmology
American Journal of Ophthalmology
Survey of Ophthalmology
British Journal of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics

Risk assessment statement

This unit will involve measurement techniques from optometry and vision science on research participants. High standards of hygiene and safe practices will be required. You will be informed of relevant Standard Operating Procedures of the School of Optometry as they pertain to this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 01-Aug-2012