Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Peter Roger
Contact via peter.roger@mq.edu.au
C5A 509
arrange by e-mail
Lecturer
Jill Murray
Contact via jill.murray@mq.edu.au
C5A 565
arrange by e-mail
Lecturer
Phil Benson
Contact via philip.benson@mq.edu.au
C5A 514
arrange by e-mail
Lecturer
Jean Brick
Contact via jean.brick@mq.edu.au
C5A 506
arrange by e-mail
Margaret Wood
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAppLing or PGDipAppLing or MTransInterMAppLing or MAppLingTESOL or MTransIntStudies or MAdvConfInt or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL
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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 focuses on general principles of research and the use of research methods in language studies. It covers the whole process of research from choosing a topic, searching the related literature on the topic, and formulating research questions, to collecting and analysing data and writing up research reports. The exploration of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research methodologies develops students' research literacy to understand research reports and to design research projects. Research ethics and writing research proposals are two other topics that are discussed in this unit.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessment at a Glance
Assignments |
Due Date/time |
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Annotated bibliography - 2200 words |
25% |
Friday March 25 at 23:55 Sydney Time |
Review paper (Literature review) - 2500 words (excluding reference list) |
30% |
Sunday April 24 at 23:55 Sydney Time |
Research Proposal on a gap you identified in Assignment 2 - 2200 words (excluding reference list) |
40% |
Friday June 10 at 23:55 Sydney Time |
Active participation (classroom and online discussion and presentations) |
5% |
Feb - Jun 2016 |
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 25% | 25/03/2016 |
Assignment 2 | 30% | 24/04/2016 |
Assignment 3 | 40% | 10/06/2016 |
Active participation | 5% | March - June 2016 |
Due: 25/03/2016
Weighting: 25%
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources and annotations (summary and evaluation) on a selected topic arranged in alphabetical order. Each annotation will have three parts. The first part is the bibliographic information of the source which should strictly follow APA style. The second part of each annotation presents a concise summary of the aims, methods, findings and conclusions of the study. The third part of the annotation is a critical evaluation of the study and its relevance to the theme of the AB (your chosen topic or area of interest). Because your annotated bibliography will be used as the basis for writing your second assignment, the review paper, it is worth preparing it as carefully as possible. As a guide, approximately 60% of the annotation for each study would be devoted to the summary, while the other 40% would be devoted to the critical evaluation.
Due: 24/04/2016
Weighting: 30%
This assignment requires you to change your AB (Assignment 1) into a review paper. Use your AB (the introduction, the annotations and reflections, and the conclusion) and write an essay to discuss and highlight the major themes related to your chosen topic.
Due: 10/06/2016
Weighting: 40%
Assignment 3 is a proposal for a research project and is based on Assignments 1 and 2 with some additional sections. Use assignments 1 and 2 and the comments and feedback you received to prepare your proposal. See more details in the Unit Guide.
Due: March - June 2016
Weighting: 5%
Both internal (on-campus) and external (distance) students should take part in learning and teaching activities throughout the semester. For internal students, these will include attending lectures (for internal students), presentations, and participation in face-to-face in-class discussion.
For external students, active participation will include the online presentation in Week 3, and at least three other initial postings during the semester in response to the topics. This excludes your responses to other students’ postings and the initial introduction of yourself and your topics.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The learning and teaching strategies used in this Unit are individual study, in-class face to face lectures and in-class and online discussions through Forum.
The unit convenor will be monitoring the online discussions. If you have any general questions, concerns, and comments these may be posted on the Forum facility. However, should you have any personal issues (e.g. requests for extensions etc.) then these should be addressed directly to the unit convenor at peter.roger@mq.edu.au
Online discussion provides students (especially distance/external students) the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with other classmates to consolidate their understanding of theoretical concepts. Both internal and external students are therefore encouraged to take part in online discussion of different topics.
Resources
We use the following texts in this unit. The first one is “required” (you must have a copy), and the other ones are “optional” (you may or may not have a copy) for further reading.
Dornyei, Z. (2007) Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Required)
Kumar, R. (2014)(4th ed.). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (Optional)
Paltridge, B., & Phakiti, A. (eds.)(2010). Continuum companion to research methods in applied linguistics. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. (Optional)
These texts should be able to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and to conduct research projects in applied linguistics. You can refer to the related chapters in the books as we proceed on different topics in the unit outline. Use table of contents and index of the books to find particular concepts and topics related to each week’s topic. Dornyei’s book is, however, the primary focus for the unit readings.
You can find details for other recommended texts and articles in the Unit Guide.
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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:
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.
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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:
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