NATS 2025 Natural Science Research Methods

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 300932

Coordinator Clarissa House Opens in new window

Description This subject aims to introduce students to the theories and practices underpinning the scientific processes. Students will learn to identify an issue, review the literature to identify gap(s) and formulate a hypothesis or a question to address the gap(s). Students will then explore research methods and designs to safely and ethically conduct an experiment or study to collect data to answer the hypothesis/question. They will also learn to analyse and interpret the data and report on the findings of the research in a written format. The subject is structured so that lectures will provide theoretical expertise and workshops will reinforce student learning with practical experience. This knowledge and skills are essential for stage 3 subjects and a career in science.

School Science

Discipline Natural and Physical Sciences, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 5920 - Research Communities and their Environments NATS 2028 - Research Methods LGYA 6151 - Animal Research

Restrictions

Successful completion of 60 credit points at Level 1.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Online quiz's 60 multiple choice questions /Short answer questions 30 N Individual
Mini Literature and Data Review 800 words 25 N Individual
Applied Project - assessment of the ethical implications of animal numbers 2 forms 20 N Individual
Report 1,000 words 25 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Statistics Explained: An Introductory Guide for Life Scientists
  • Asking Questions in Biology

Teaching Periods