Students
SSCI3090 – Professional Social Research Project
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jacqueline Mackaway
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
20
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(130cp at 1000 level or above) including (SSCI2010 and SSCI2020) OR (SOC224 and SSC200 or SSCI200).
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
SSCI3010 or SSCI300
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides you with practical ‘hands on’ experience working on a social research project for government, university, industry or a community based organisation. Projects involve a variety of research activities including policy reviews, program design, evaluations, community advocacy and more. The unit is made up of two parts. The first part involves you undertaking a supervised research placement with an organisation (150 hours). Projects are generally sourced for you, however you may organise your own with the unit convenor’s approval at least two months before the commencement of semester. The second part involves six workshops designed to develop skills and capacities you will need to manage and conduct research in an ethical and professional manner. From these two parts of the unit, and by reflecting on your project and personal experience, you will gain an understanding of the work of social researchers and the contribution they make to organisations and society more broadly. You will also gain insights into the skills and knowledge you need to further develop, possible career options and set goals for the future. |
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:
- ULO1: Demonstrate and apply qualitative and/or quantitative research skills and knowledge to an applied social research project for an organisation.
- ULO2: Design and implement a project plan to successfully undertake and manage tasks, data, risks, time and resources.
- ULO3: Integrate critical thinking and reflective practices into their project, and develop self-management strategies to address challenges and enhance personal, academic and career learning.
- ULO4: Critically analyse and report on research methods and processes, project outputs and outcomes, effectively using a range of professional and academic written and oral formats.
- ULO5: Create and produce a high quality evidence informed artefact such as a report, research instrument, discussion paper or resource for an organisation that supports the organisation’s purpose and strategic goals.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
The Project Management Plan, Short Written Task and Final Report must all be submitted electronically via iLearn and the Turnitin function.
Please note that Project Management Plan (PMP) is due once you have completed a minimum of 20 hours working on your project. The submission date will therefore vary between students.
Contact the Unit Convenor if you find yourself unable to meet the submission dates for assessments and/or the minimum placement hours can not be met.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a penalty for lateness will apply.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
The unit has an academic component (delivered through 6 face to face workshops) and a practical component (students' research work for the organisation).
For the academic component students will be required to:
- submit the required assessment tasks on time
- complete required readings
- attend all workshops (if unable to attend the unit convenor must be contacted and and alternative activity will be assigned for completion)
For the practical component of the unit students will be required to:
- complete a minimum 150 placement hours with a partner organisation
- define a work schedule with their workplace supervisor and commit to it
- work on a research project according to the research plan they discuss with their workplace supervisor/s
- submit a final output of the research project to their organisation.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Location: 7 Wally’s Walk Briefing room #149
Workshop times: only offered on Tuesdays either 11–1pm OR 2-4pm
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Date |
Topic |
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Workshop 1 |
Tuesday 25th Feb |
Introduction
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Workshop 2 |
Tuesday 3rd March |
Project Management Planning |
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Workshop 3 |
Tuesday 10th March |
Ethics in research and the workplace |
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Workshop 4 |
Tuesday 17th March |
Reflective practice |
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Workshop 5 |
Tuesday 26th May |
Communicating your research |
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Workshop 6 |
Tuesday 2nd June |
Where to from here: careers in research |
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.)
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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.