Students
MRES701 – PACE for Research
2017 – S2 Day
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Florence Chiew
Juliet Lum
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This PACE unit provides MRes students with the opportunity to undertake research as part of a research team or in community or industry settings. Students will be required to identify and design a research project that aligns with the priorities of a partner organisation. Students’ projects will be supervised by a member of the partner organisation and supported through a series of academic seminars. This unit aims to equip students with practical problem-solving and research skills, as well as insight into conducting research that involves a partner and is aimed helping them to achieve their organisational goals. Over the course of a semester, students work with the partner organisation to identify and fully scope a research project. Students should complete 100 hours working with their partner organisation eventuating in delivery of a formal written project plan. Students may choose to use the research conducted in this unit as the basis of their MRes thesis in the second year.
|
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:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
General Assessment Information
Applying for an extension
To request an extension for an assignment, students should submit a Disruption to Studies Notification within 5 working days of the commencement of the disruption. The Disruption to Studies Notification must be submitted online through www.ask.mq.edu.au. Information on what constitutes a disruption and how to apply for an extension can be found on the MQ students' Disruption to Studies webpage.
Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.
Late submissions
Unless an extension is granted, work that is submitted after the due date will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks for each week it is overdue (i.e. -10% for 1-6 days late; -20% for 7-13 days late; -30% for 14-20 days late). Work submitted more than 20 days late will not be accepted.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Management Plan | 20% | No | first 20 hours of placement |
| Participation and Engagement | 20% | No | Ongoing in class and iLearn |
| Presentation | 20% | No | Week 11 |
| Final project report | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Project Management Plan
Due: first 20 hours of placement
Weighting: 20%
Within the first 20 hours of placement, you should produce a project management plan. This plan should include a title along with the background, scope and purpose of your project. The plan should also include a detailed schedule of tasks to be completed, and how you will monitor the project. Where possible, you should try to identify any stakeholders, milestones, risks and issues associated with your project. The plan has to be discussed with the host supervisor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Participation and Engagement
Due: Ongoing in class and iLearn
Weighting: 20%
An important part of this course is open dialogue and honest engagement with the course content, your teachers and peers. It is an expectation that you attend all face-to-face components of this unit, and beyond them, actively participate in the online forum discussions. Your grade for this aspect of the assessment will be based on your a) attendance and participation in the 5 face-to-face workshops and b) your willingness to engage in ongoing iLearn forum discussions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Presentation
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
You will give a 10 minute presentation on your project. The presentation should discuss the issues examined in your project, your findings and conclusions/recommendations. If applicable, you may also consider including suggestions for future work/investigation. The presentation should provide your reflections on the successes and failures of the project and reflect on how you would revise the approach taken if you had to do it all over again.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Final project report
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
The final report will consist of two sections: 1) a report on your placement activities (1500 words) and 2) a reflective component where you describe your responses to the strengths and challenges of your placement and project (500 words). The report should provide enough background information so that your audience understands your host organisation and the nature of your activity. It should also provide examples of the work you completed. Your reflection of your placement experience should not only state what your successes or dilemmas were, but flesh out why they were successes or dilemmas, what some of your options were, why you feel stuck on them, and the implications of different ways of resolving them. Use specific examples where possible.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Delivery and Resources
The unit involves 5 compulsory workshops and online learning through iLearn activities. The 5 on-campus workshops are scheduled as follows:
Week 1: Tuesday 1 August, 10am-12pm
Week 2: Tuesday 8 August, 10am-12pm
Week 3: Tuesday 15 August, 10am-12pm
Week 12: Tuesday 31 October, 10am-12pm
Week 13: Tuesday 7 November 10am-12pm
It is expected that students attend all workshops, unless a compelling reason(e.g. illness) prevents them from doing so. If you cannot attend a workshop, please contact the unit convenor.
Students will be enrolled into the online MRES701 iLearn unit. This iLearn site provides access to online learning resources, peer-to-peer communication, and participation in online discussion forums. Students will also receive course related announcements through the iLearn unit, download readings, submit assignments and receive feedback on graded work.
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
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Presentation
- Final project report
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
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Final project report
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
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Presentation
- Final project report
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
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to prepare a fully scoped plan for a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Presentation
- Final project report
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
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units (MRES700) to a practical context.
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Presentation
- Final project report
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
- Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- Use ethical practices during the research project.
- Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- Presentation
- Final project report