COURSE DESCRIPTION

Prerequisite: RADS 5003 – Research Methods I

Online course providing opportunities to develop skills in information literacy, including critical analyses of published research. Students develop a substantial, scholarly research paper that demonstrates graduate-level writing. Students must register for this course each semester until the scholarly paper is satisfactorily completed.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will:

• Complete a substantial scholarly paper (literature review) on an approved topic of interest in imaging sciences and radiation therapy using the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style.
• Prepare a personal reflection.

ASSIGNMENTS

Topic Approval

Students must obtain instructor approval for their RADS 6773 research paper topics. The research paper topics will be based on the foundations established in RADS 5003, Research Methods I. Appropriate topics include those directly related to IMAGING SCIENCES or RADIATION THERAPY issues or strategies and must be relevant to the students’ major.

NOTE: If the instructor and student determine the research paper should include a survey or any other research design that requires approval or exemption by the MSU Institutional Review Board (IRB), the student should expect the process will require more than one semester. Due dates may be adjusted accordingly..

Synthesis Matrix

After a comprehensive review of the resources, students will create a synthesis matrix by the due date indicated on the course schedule. The matrix should include in-text style citations of the sources next to each article block in the matrix. Although the final paper may deviate from the matrix somewhat, it should reflect the organization of this matrix content. Therefore, students must be very familiar with their resources to create an accurate and realistic matrix. A sample of a matrix and corresponding discussion section are located in this syllabus.

Scholarly Research Paper (Literature Review)

The scholarly paper will demonstrate the student’s critical analysis of published research and graduate level writing skills using appropriate APA format. The paper should be long enough to provide thorough coverage of the topic, but should be appropriately concise to conform with professional standards. Typically, the body of the paper (excluding components such as the title page, abstract, reference list, appendices, etc.) will be 20 - 30 pages.

The literature review should be based on scholarly and peer-reviewed resources published within the past five (5) years. Students who choose to include other resources will have to satisfactorily defend those choices. The paper should demonstrate the student's ability to gather and discriminate pertinent resources, the ability to SYNTHESIZE information from a variety of sources, the ability to apply new information to a topic, and the ability to correctly use the APA writing style.

Personal Reflection

Students will submit a personal reflection of the research process they experienced in the sequence of MSRS courses:

RADS 6443 Survey Design in Radiologic Sciences

RADS 6553 Graduate Data Analysis in Radiologic Sciences

RADS 5003 Research Methods I

RADS 6773 Research Methods II

The reflections should include clearly labeled sections to address each of the following points:

• Understanding - How has your understanding of the research process changed as a result of being in the MSRS Program?
• Challenge - What was the most challenging aspect of the research process for you? What suggestions do you have for future students to manage this challenge?
• Reward - What was the most rewarding aspect of the research process for you?
• Self-Awareness - What did you learn about yourself while completing the research and producing this scholarly paper?

Graduates of the MSRS program should be able to:

• Use knowledge of current and future trends and well-developed skills to lead a medical imaging department, teach in a radiologic sciences program, or perform advanced clinical procedures.
• Use critical thinking strategies and communication skills to develop an ethical and legal framework for the resolution of concerns and issues in radiologic administration, education, or advanced clinical practice.
• Demonstrate leadership skills and knowledge of the political process to effect change within administration, education, or advanced clinical practice settings.
• Evaluate, design, and conduct research studies for the improvement of radiologic science administration, education, or advanced clinical practice.
• Demonstrate a sound academic foundation to support lifelong learning and to prepare for future matriculation in post-master or doctoral programs.

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments have due dates indicated on the course schedule. Due dates are in place to keep students on target for the semester and allow instructors the time to provide detailed, constructive feedback. Assignments not turned in on time will result in a 0 being recorded for that assignment.

With that being said, the instructors understand students who are enrolled in the MSRS program may be responsible for managing many employees and/or students as well as personal family matters. If students need any assistance regarding a deadline, they must contact the instructors at least two days before the due date to discuss the issue. “After the fact” stories are not accepted and will result in a grade of 0. Emergencies (death, severe illness, etc.) occur so students should contact the instructors as soon as possible to resolve any due date conflicts. Assignment extensions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

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The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

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All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

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