Students
MRES7001 – PACE for Research
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Juliet Lum
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| 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. |
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: Apply knowledge and research methodologies learned in other units to a practical context.
- ULO2: Use project management guidelines to plan and manage a project that aligns with the priorities of the partner organisation.
- ULO3: Participate meaningfully as a member of an organisation or research team and develop a critically reflective practice on the experience of the research process.
- ULO4: Demonstrate initiative and self-sufficiency during the placement.
- ULO5: Use ethical practices during the research project.
- ULO6: Develop professional skills which contribute to an organisation’s appreciation of research.
- ULO7: Engage with ethical, social, and/or environmental issues affecting the partner organisation and assist in addressing them.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation and Engagement | 20% | No | throughout semester |
| Project Management Plan | 20% | No | 31 August 2021 |
| Presentation | 20% | No | 29 October 2021 |
| Final project report | 40% | No | 8 November 2021 |
Participation and Engagement
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
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.
Project Management Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 31 August 2021
Weighting: 20%
Within the first 20 hours of placement (and before 31 August), 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.
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 29 October 2021
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
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 8 November 2021
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.
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 unit involves 5 compulsory workshops (run over Zoom) and online learning through iLearn activities. 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 MRES7001 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.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Friday 30/7: The critically reflective researcher
Week 2: Friday 6/8: Planning and managing a research project
Week 3: Friday 13/8: Working and researching with integrity
Week 12: Friday 29/10: Presentations
Week 13: Friday 5 /11: Leveraging your PACE experience
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
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). Work submitted more than 13 days late will not be accepted.
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
Information about late submission of assessment tasks added.
Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook