Students
FOAR7001 – Research Communications
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer and Convenor
Kirstin Mills
Room B710, Level 7, 25B Wally's Walk
By appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
FOAR7000
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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 will prepare students for their transition into the second year of the MRES Degree. Through a combination of faculty-level and departmental seminars it will provide students with advanced disciplinary knowledge about research processes, practice and planning, with a particular focus on research writing and communication. Students will be exposed to leading research in their discipline and learn about the mindsets, habits and practices that shape the way researchers communicate knowledge for a range of different outputs and audiences. Through a variety of research-related communication activities students will have the opportunity to demonstrate competence in the application of generic research and communication skills to their area of research, and to produce written material that will provide an ideal foundation for their eventual second-year MRES research project and future academic writing. |
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: Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories, principles and concepts in your area of specialisation
- ULO3: Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within your discipline area.
- ULO4: Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.
General Assessment Information
*Please see the Assessments section on the FOAR7003 iLearn site for the most up to date information about each assessment (including descriptions, marking criteria and due dates).
Late Submission Penalty: Written Assessments:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply - two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date - and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Important Note on Final Marks:
All assessment results will be moderated during the teaching session in accordance with the assessment standards and criteria stipulated in the prescribed task rubrics.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | 50% | No | Week 13 |
| Research Abstract and Biography | 25% | No | Week 9 |
| Research Pitch | 25% | No | Week 7 |
Research Proposal
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
Students will follow appropriate disciplinary requirements to write a formal research proposal for their Year 2 projects.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories, principles and concepts in your area of specialisation
- Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.
Research Abstract and Biography
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 25%
Write a 500 word abstract for the research project you would like to explore for your MRes thesis, and an accompanying 100 word author biography. Your abstract should succinctly present your thesis, your main arguments or research questions, the significance or impact of your research, and your methodology. Your author biography should present who you are as a researcher (your academic ‘brand’), noting any relevant experience or outputs.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories, principles and concepts in your area of specialisation
- Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.
Research Pitch
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%
Write a brief exploratory overview of the research project you would like to explore for your MRes thesis. This research pitch should be written for a diverse audience including both specialist and non-specialist readers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories, principles and concepts in your area of specialisation
- Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within your discipline area.
- Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
The schedule of lectures, seminars, readings and learning activities will be available on the FOAR7001 iLearn site.
Unit Schedule
This Unit is taught with a blend of Faculty and Department-led teaching:
Weeks 1-6 and 11-13 are taught centrally by the Unit Convenor, Dr Kirstin Mills.
During weeks 7-10 you will divide into departmental groups during which classes will be led by departmental lecturers.
Please see the FOAR7001 iLearn site for the weekly schedule.
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
New assessment task: Abstract and author biography
Revised weekly schedule and content
Revised Unit Guide and iLearn site