Dissertation Part 1 unit (CNA418)

Online

Introduction

This is the first of three linked dissertation units. Students conduct research into a field of nursing practice which is informed and supported by a series of collaborative seminars and workshops that provide the student with a forum in which to critique and develop their own research and that of others. The seminars focus on the application of research knowledge and skills to the research being conducted. In this unit students will develop the research project that will be reported in the thesis submitted for examination in CNA474: Dissertation Part 3.

Summary

Unit name	Dissertation Part 1
Unit code	CNA418
Credit points	25
College/School	Health School of Nursing
Discipline	Nursing
Coordinator	Associate Professor Shandell Elmer
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Honours

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1
Online	Semester 2
Online	Trimester

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Trimester	1/11/2026	23/11/2026	23/12/2026	13/2/2027
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Formulate and justify a clearly articulated research problem and research question(s) that are significant to contemporary nursing practice and aligned to an appropriate theoretical frame.
• Design and justify a feasible, ethical methodology and data analysis plan using relevant methodological literature and standards.
• Prepare all research materials required to commence the study and establish a project plan and risk/ethics considerations.
• Produce coherent dissertation chapters that demonstrate scholarly argumentation, academic writing conventions, and accurate referencing.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
060301	$1,184.00	$1,184.00	not applicable	$6,356.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Concurrent Prerequisites

CNA450 Understanding Nursing Research

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Individual Study – This unit is offered fully online via MyLO (My Learning Online). You are expected to devote around 10 hours per week to the study materials, assessment tasks and self-directed learning.
Assessment	Research Plan and Timeline|Research Progress
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.
Recommended	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.