Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Tony Bryant tony.bryant@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 32
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description The 800-level components of the Master of Research are not designed around units. The thesis together with four core research activities form a single coherent research unit based on individual research plans and will consists of the followings: 1. Research Frontiers 2: you will attend a number of department or faculty-run sessions and engage in a program of activities developing your knowledge of the sub-disciplinary field in which you want to situate your own research 2. Literature Review: you will attend sessions explaining how researchers in your field engage with previous research literature, and produce a draft of your own literature review for your thesis 3. Research Methods: with other students and led by academic staff, you will develop the research methods you will use in your research project 4. Research Planning: through a combination of group sessions and individual work with your supervision team, you will develop a plan for a large scale research project, part of which will be completed in the MRes 5. Thesis: you will complete a small research project, and write it up in a short thesis of about 20,000 words.

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:

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

General Assessment Information

The student demonstrates attainment of learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 by submitting a research project proposal of approximately 6,000 words (Activity 4A). The proposal identifies and motivates a research problem, provides a literature review and develops a theoretical model.

In addition to submitting a research project proposal as a requirement for this unit, the student will also present the proposal to the Faculty MRes conference in June.

The student demonstrates attainment of learning outcomes 4, 5 and 6 by submitting a research project thesis of 15,000-20,000 words in October following completion of the research project.

If the student experiences illness or unavoidable disruption, these must be documented. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. The University’s policy on Disruption to Studies is available at http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

There is no final examination for this unit other than an examination or assessment by two (2) external examiners of the final thesis.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Research Frontiers (2)	10%	No	On or before April 30, 2017
Literature Review	0%	No	Approx. 26 April
Research Methods	0%	No	Approx 16 June
Research Planning	0%	No	Approx 28 July
Thesis	90%	No	10 October

Research Frontiers (2)

Due: On or before April 30, 2017
Weighting: 10%

Goal: To extend candidates’ knowledge of research innovations in their discipline.

Relationship to AQF¹: “Graduates of a Master’s Degree (Research) will … have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines."

Outcome: By the end of this component of the program, candidates will be able to develop their individual research projects in the context of the latest research developments in their field.

Output: A substantial written report of 3,000–4,000 words (worth 10% total 2^nd year grade).

¹AQF refers to the Australian Quality Framework, an Australian Government Quality Assurance initiative.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.

Literature Review

Due: Approx. 26 April
Weighting: 0%

Goal: Candidates will survey the current literature relating to their individual research project.

Relationship to AQF: “Graduates of a Master’s Degree (Research) will … demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application; … [they will] … design, use and evaluate research and research methods."

Outcome: Candidates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of their research topic by situating their individual research project within a broader field or paradigm, including a structured review of associated issues, debates and methodology. Candidates will identify gaps in the literature which their research project seeks to redress.

Output: A draft Literature Review submitted to the supervisor for comment, together with a 15 minute presentation to the MRes coordinator and supervisor(s), usually by the end of April. The length of the Literature Review should be in the order of 5,000 words, as part of the 20,000-word final thesis. Final version to be incorporated and assessed as part of thesis.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.

Research Methods

Due: Approx 16 June
Weighting: 0%

Goal: Candidates will learn about the latest research methods in their field.

Relationship to AQF: “Graduates of a Master’s Degree (Research) will … have advanced knowledge of research principles and methods; … [they will] … design, use and evaluate research and research methods.”

Outcome: Candidates will be fully equipped to make strategic decisions about how to approach their individual research problem.

Output: A draft “Methodology” chapter, including a proposed research “instrument” (e.g. questionnaire) submitted to the supervisor for comment by the middle of June, together with a 15 minute presentation to the MRes coordinator and supervisor(s).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Research Planning

Due: Approx 28 July
Weighting: 0%

Goal: Candidates will receive training in project management and plan a major research project.

Relationship to AQF: “Graduates of a Master’s Degree (Research) will … have high level personal autonomy and accountability”; “Graduates of a Master’s Degree (Research) will … demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills … to plan and execute a substantial piece of research”

Output:

Submitted Written Plan (assessable as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). The final Major Project/PhD Plan should include: research question, methodology, budget, ethics (if appropriate), timeline, chapter breakdown.
Presentation of approximately 15 minutes to the MRes coordinator and supervisor(s), assessable as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Submitted PhD plan

On successful completion you will be able to:

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Thesis

Due: 10 October
Weighting: 90%

Goal: Candidates will complete a significant individual research project of their own design.

Relationship to AQF: “Graduates of a Masters Degree (Research) will …

“demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills … to plan and execute a substantial piece of research … [and show] creativity and initiative;
“investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice;
“generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level;
“present a coherent and sustained argument; and
“design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research.”

Outcome: Candidates will complete research project in order to demonstrate individual research capability to conduct Major (PhD-scale) Research Project.

Output: Candidates will complete a thesis equivalent to 15,000-20,000 words, subject to disciplinary standards (worth 90% of second year assessment). The thesis is due October 10, 2016.

Thesis to be externally examined by a University approved examination panel.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Delivery and Resources

Meeting and consultation times

Students will have formal University, Faculty and Department level classes throughout the year, and will have face-to-face meetings with their Principal and Associate Supervisors on average an hour every week or more as the case requires. You are encouraged to assess and re-evaluate your requirements for meetings and consultations with your supervisors as the year progresses.

Students experiencing significant difficulties with their research project must seek assistance immediately, first with their supervisors and if necessary with the Departmental MRes co-ordinator.

Classes

There will be a series of University, Faculty and Department level activities that will involve a number of workshops on research frontiers, literature review, research methods and research planning. Furthermore, students have face-to-face meetings with their supervisors on average an hour every week (this is subject to consultation between students and their supervisory panel).

Required and recommended texts and/or materials

There are no pre-set required or recommended texts and/or materials for this unit.

The supervisors or other relevant staff members prescribe the relevant readings or texts dependent on inter alia, research topic. Students should be familiar with the academic journals within their discipline and the different research themes/topics/approaches that each journal may embrace.

The selected journal lists below are provided to assist students searching for discipline-based research. Students are encouraged to review the more comprehensive ABDC journal listings, and their rankings, which are available on the Australian Business Dean’s Council website at www.abdc.edu.au/news.php/100/abdc-releases-new-journal-quality-list.

Examples of Economics journals

Econometrica
American Economic Review
Journal of Economic Theory
Journal of International Economics
The Journal of Industrial Economics
Journal of Public Economics

Learning and Teaching Activities

Learning and teaching strategy

The unit requires face-to-face meetings with the supervisors of an average of 1 hour each week during each semester. These meetings are to be arranged by consultation with students and their supervisors. Students must also devote at least 30+ hours each week (including the mid-semester break of two weeks) during each semester to independent learning activities such as locating, reading and analysing prescribed and additional relevant materials, collecting and analysing data and producing written work at various stages of the units as determined by the supervisors. Students are strongly encouraged to attend research seminar presentations sponsored by the Department of Economics.

Research and practice

This is a research unit consisting of several progress documents and a final thesis which together constitute a major research project. As prescribed by the supervisors, candidates could use research by Macquarie University researchers and from external sources. This major research project unit is designed to equip students to embark on their individual MPhil or PhD projects. Because the unit focuses on developing students’ academic literacy skills, a number of reading, writing and analytical tasks are set. Responses to some of these tasks are discussed in workshops, whereas others will be submitted for assessment. The tasks will contribute directly to the Research Protocol submission and/or PhD thesis. The research project unit is delivered in accordance with current academic teaching and learning pedagogies.

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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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/

Results

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.

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://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.

Graduate Capabilities

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

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Assessment tasks

Research Methods
Research Planning
Thesis

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

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.

Assessment tasks

Research Frontiers (2)
Research Planning
Thesis

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

Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).

Assessment tasks

Research Frontiers (2)
Literature Review
Research Planning
Thesis

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

Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Assessment tasks

Literature Review
Research Planning
Thesis

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

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Assessment tasks

Research Methods
Research Planning
Thesis

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

Formulate a research question that has the potential to produce new knowledge/insights within your sub-field of business and economics.
Research and write up a comprehensive and critical literature review in a specific area of business and economics based research.
Develop and apply a theoretical model to the research project (if applicable).
Outline a sound research model on which to identify and select data.
Undertake a qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data collected, inclusive of critical reasoning and argumentation.
Write up a conclusion to the project with reference to how the project and its findings contribute to enhancing existing literature within the field.

Assessment tasks

Research Methods
Research Planning
Thesis