Students

BCM 306 – Capstone Research Project A

2014 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Susan Page
Contact via susan.page@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
21cp in BCM units at 100 level and 21cp in BCM units at 200 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This research-based unit builds on the ideas and experiences developed in previous units and is conducted in the context of developing student thinking and planning for their individual research project. In particular it concentrates on the ethical dimensions and operational issues of preparation for academic research in the social sciences, with particular reference to Indigenous settings and concerns. It aims to make sure all students are able to recognise ethical research proposals and empowers them to insist on ethical processes in any research related situation they may find themselves in. Key issues include: the importance of building robust relationships; risks and benefits; informed consent; privacy considerations; possible conflicts of interest; the need for iterative approaches; and timeline expectations. This unit uses the current Macquarie University Ethics Approval Process and is informed by NHMRC, AIATSIS and relevant international sources.

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:

  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Create an individual ethical research statement.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Examine the Macquarie University Human Ethics Application process.
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
1. Research Statement 20% 10 th March
2 Ethics form 40% 11th April
3 Research Guide 40% 16th June

1. Research Statement

Due: 10 th March
Weighting: 20%

 

Students are required to prepare an individual ethical statement setting out their intentions to research in an ethical manner.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Create an individual ethical research statement.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

2 Ethics form

Due: 11th April
Weighting: 40%

 

Students are required to complete the Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Ethics Form as well as construct an information and consent form.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Examine the Macquarie University Human Ethics Application process.
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

3 Research Guide

Due: 16th June
Weighting: 40%

 

Students are required to plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Delivery and Resources

External unit with on-campus sessions and ilearn.

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

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Assessment tasks

  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • 3 Research Guide

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Create an individual ethical research statement.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Examine the Macquarie University Human Ethics Application process.
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Create an individual ethical research statement.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Examine the Macquarie University Human Ethics Application process.

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher
  • Identify the key policies and guidelines surrounding ethical practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Research Statement
  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of ethical practice in research.
  • Develop an information and consent form, as well as complete an Appendix A - Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People form.
  • Plan, design and construct an ethical research guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Explore the complexities of being an Indigenous Researcher

Assessment tasks

  • 2 Ethics form
  • 3 Research Guide