SLE452 - Research Design and Data Analysis
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Semester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Semester 1: Anthony Rendall Semester 2: Anthony Rendall |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is only available to students enrolled in S400, S401, S494 |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning including 5 x 2.5 hour online practical experience (workshop) per semester, 1 x 4 hour online practical experience (workshop) per semester, 1 x 1 hour online seminar per semester, 2 x 2 hour online seminars per semester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
Research design and data analysis is an essential part of scientific and industry research but many graduates in life and environmental sciences have only limited experience of applying it in this context. SLE452 aims to help research students develop the skills to design, implement and analyse quantitative outcomes from a research project across a broad range of settings. This unit will build on basic statistical knowledge from other units completed in their undergraduate degree. Students will learn how to design sophisticated sampling and experimental programs that maximise interpretability and efficiency, and with a focus on modern statistical models, understand the logic and assumptions underlying statistical analyses as applied in biological research, develop the practical ability to analyse data and interpret and present the results using modern software, and learn how to critically evaluate the data analyses used in the published literature.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Learn how to design sampling and experimental programs for theoretical and applied research questions across the spectrum of biological sciences. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Understand the logic and assumptions underlying common statistical models as applied in biological research. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Develop the practical ability to analyse data and interpret and present the results using modern software. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Learn how to critically evaluate the design and data analyses used in the published literature. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Practical quizzes | 5 x quizzes associated with each day of content | 15% | Weeks 2 & 3 |
| Assessment 2 Research design quiz | 30-minute online quiz | 15% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 3 Critical evaluation | Written report, 1,000 word maximum | 30% | Week 7 |
| Assessment 4 Biostatistics test | 2-hour open book test | 40% | Week 9 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE452 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.