Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit is a foundation unit for students proposing to conduct research as either part of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Scholarly Activity stream or in the future. The unit covers the principles of good scientific conduct in research and the ethical conduct of research on human participants. A brief overview of animal ethics issues is provided. The unit emphasises the importance of honesty and integrity in science and provides students with an introduction to the ethical basis of scientific requirements such as data management and documentation, dealing with conflicts of interest, open publication versus commercialisation of scientific findings, protection of intellectual property, authorship and allocation of credit, errors and mistakes in science. This unit then goes on to cover ethical issues dealing specifically with research in humans, including the four basic tenets (research merit/integrity, justice, beneficence and respect) and their historical origins, assessment of research benefits versus risk to the participants, risk minimisation, the importance and principles of informed consent, maintenance of participant confidentiality, including de-identification and storage of information and/or biological samples, and working with vulnerable populations or participants who are unable to provide informed consent.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the importance of scientific integrity and ethical conduct in research; (2) discuss the key issues relevant to human and animal research; (3) demonstrate the acquisition of basic skills and training necessary to undertake research in their chosen field; (4) critically review literature in their proposed field of research; and (5) design a research project, outlining the study background and rationale, research questions, study design and data analysis.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) literature review; (2) research proposal; and (3) professional behaviour assessment/s (PBA). Further information is available in the unit outline.
To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the professional behaviour assessment/s (PBA) component.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Sunalene Devadason and Dr Jane Allan
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- IMED4211 Systems-based Learning 2
Approved quota: 240—210 domestic and 30 international
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.