Students
PICT812 – Methods of Research and Writing
2014 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Karina Guthrie
Contact via karina.guthrie@mq.edu.au
PICT Offices, Level 2, Building Y3A
By appointment
Peita Richards
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT Or PGDipPICT or PGCertPICT or MIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or PGCertIntSecStud or MPICTMIntSecSt
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit teaches students how to select an academically-disciplined research topic and identify and locate the essential primary and secondary source materials. The student is then instructed how to organise and assess this material by completing a primary and secondary source literature review. Finally, the student is taught how to structure and express in writing an academic argument on the thesis topic.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Quizzes | 20% | Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Research Proposal | 30% | 2 May 2014 |
| Research Essay | 50% | 30 May 2014 |
Weekly Quizzes
Due: Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weighting: 20%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
Research Proposal
Due: 2 May 2014
Weighting: 30%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Research Essay
Due: 30 May 2014
Weighting: 50%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Delivery and Resources
UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
The unit is undertaken entirely online and is structured around 12 weekly modules, each with two 30 minute lectures. Students are required to listen to all unit lectures and engage with the exercises outlined in each.
The unit convenor will be available, either via email, phone or in person to offer guidance and feedback on the unit content and assessment.
REQUIRED READINGS
Information about required and recommended readings for this unit is available on the PICT812 iLearn site.
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
The unit can only be accessed by enrolled students online through http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS
All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.
Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a PDF or MS word document by the due date.
All assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convenor. Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task. Extensions beyond one week are subject to special consideration. The policy for this is detailed under Policy and Procedures.
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
There is a penalty for the the late submission of assessment tasks. If an assignment is submitted late it will initially be marked as if it had been submitted on time. However, 5%of the weighting allocated for the assignment will then be deducted from the mark the student initially achieves in the assessment task for each day it is late. For example if the assessment task's weighting is 20, 1.00 mark per day will be deducted from the initial mark given per day it is late ie a task initially given 15/20 but which is submitted four days late will lose 4 x 1.00 marks. That means 15/20-4marks=11/20. It is this second mark which will be recorded in gradebook.
Unit Schedule
This unit is conducted entirely online. Students will access the audio files for each of the weekly lectures through the iLearn site. There are two 30 mintures lectures each week.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment tasks
- Weekly Quizzes
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment tasks
- Weekly Quizzes
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
Assessment tasks
- Weekly Quizzes
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the methodological components that facilitate rigorous research, including the role of ethics.
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment tasks
- Weekly Quizzes
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Display the ability to critically assess published research to evaluate its significance and relevance, to synthesize material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently.
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Research Essay