Students
MRES701 – PACE for Research
2019 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Juliet Lum
Contact via 9850 4196
Room 314, 17WW (C5C)
Consultations by appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The PACE for Research unit provides MRes students with the opportunity to undertake research as part of a research team or in community or industry settings. In consultation with a partner organisation/research team leader, students identify, design, manage and conduct a research project that aligns with the strategic priorities of that organisation/team. Students’ projects are overseen and guided by a host supervisor and supported through a series of academic seminars on campus. This unit aims to equip students with practical problem-solving and research skills, as well as insight into conducting research that involves a partner. Students complete 100 hours working with their partner organisation eventuating in delivery of a formal written project report. Students may choose to use the research conducted in this unit as the basis of their MRes thesis in the second year.
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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:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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
Special Consideration
Students may experience events beyond their control that adversely affect their academic performance in assessment activities. The University’s Special Consideration policy and procedures apply to short-term, serious and unavoidable circumstances that arise after the study period has commenced, and where specific assessment task/s have been affected.
To request Special Consideration, students should submit a Special Consideration application through www.ask.mq.edu.au within 5 working days of the assignment deadline, providing supporting documentation. Information on what constitutes a serious and unavoidable circumstance, and what constitutes documentary evidence, can be found on the MQ students' Special Consideration webpage.
The outcome of the Special Consideration application may be:
- no action (if the application fails to meet requirements of the Special Consideration Policy / Procedure / Supporting Evidence Schedule);
- additional assessment to fairly assess performance;
- an extension of the assessment submission deadline; or
- marks derived from other, completed assessment tasks that have been aggregated or averaged to achieve an overall mark.
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 | 30 August 2019 (latest) |
| Participation and Engagement | 20% | No | Throughout semester |
| Presentation | 20% | No | 29 & 30 October 2019 |
| Final project report | 40% | No | 11 November 2019 |
Project Management Plan
Due: 30 August 2019 (latest)
Weighting: 20%
Within the first 20 hours of placement (and before 30 August 2019), 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. The plan will also identify relevant stakeholders, milestones, deliverables, risks and issues associated with your project. The plan must be discussed with the host supervisor before submission.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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: Throughout semester
Weighting: 20%
An important part of this course is open dialogue and honest engagement with your teachers and peers over the course content and your internship experience. 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 assessment will be comprised of the following components: pre-class preparation and in-class participation, online engagement, a mid-semester reflection on internship, and your host supervisor’s evaluation and feedback.
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: 29 & 30 October 2019
Weighting: 20%
You will give an 8-10 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. Include a photograph of yourself in your internship setting and/or with your host supervisor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units 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.
- 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: 11 November 2019
Weighting: 40%
The final report will consist of two sections:
1) a report on your internship project (1500-2000 words) and
2) a reflective component (600-800 words).
The report should provide enough background information so that your audience understands your host organisation and the nature of your activity. It will outline what you produced as part of your research internship, how you produced it, and how it compared to your original project plan.
Your reflection will comprise a personal evaluation and reflection on your project and the research experience as a whole. You will be required to reflect on at least one dilemma you faced in your placement, and to develop an account of the impact the internship has had on your learning experience and your career outlook.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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.
- 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 schedule for the on-campus sessions is listed below:
- Weeks 1-3: Tuesdays 10am - 12pm OR Fridays 11am - 1pm
- Week 12: Tuesday 29 October 10am - 12pm or 2-4pm; or Wednesday 30 October 9-11am or 12-2pm
- Week 13: Tuesday 5 November 1-3pm
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 (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Participation and Engagement
- 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
- Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
Assessment tasks
- Project Management Plan
- Presentation
- 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 to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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.
- 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 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.
- Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment task
- Presentation
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 to a practical context.
- Use project management guidelines to plan and manage 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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 task
- Participation and Engagement