Students

MQBS8010 – Research Frontiers in Business and Economics

2023 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Abhay Singh
abhay.singh@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Grant Richardson
grant.richardson@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Hanlin Shang
hanlin.shang@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Lyla Zhang
lyla.zhang@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Rico Piehler
rico.piehler@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MQBS7010
Unit description Unit description

Theories and other frameworks in business, management and economics help organise knowledge objectivity by framing how and why individuals, organisations, and other entities behave the way they do. Understanding how and why behaviours occur is important for researchers because it provides them with explanations underpinning human behaviours. The focus of this unit is on developing your knowledge about seminal and contemporary research from a theoretical perspective. You will explore theory and research relevant to your discipline and their various interpretations to develop an appreciation of the scope of theory and research. In particular, you will develop knowledge, critical analysis, and creative thinking to examine and explain theory and research to solve research problems. You will also learn how to critically evaluate, synthesise, explain theory and concepts, and communicate your ideas to extend available theories in your discipline area.

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: Survey, critically analyse and evaluate research and theory used in seminal and contemporary research (in your discipline area).
  • ULO2: Identify, synthesise and apply theory and research to develop ideas and propose ideas for potential new research opportunities (in your discipline area).
  • ULO3: Communicate theory and research specific to the academic standards and conventions (in your discipline) to an audience.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
In-class activities 20% No Week 1-13
Research and theory report 40% No Week 1-12
Critical analysis of research 40% No Week 13

In-class activities

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 1-13
Weighting: 20%

 

During seminars, particular topics and specific papers will be explored, critically analysed and evaluated. Themes and topics for each week will be made available as a reference point for generating additional readings. All students are expected to participate and contribute by preparing for seminars, engaging in discussions with other students and completing any assigned work.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Survey, critically analyse and evaluate research and theory used in seminal and contemporary research (in your discipline area).
  • Identify, synthesise and apply theory and research to develop ideas and propose ideas for potential new research opportunities (in your discipline area).
  • Communicate theory and research specific to the academic standards and conventions (in your discipline) to an audience.

Research and theory report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 1-12
Weighting: 40%

 

The research and theory report allows students to undertake an examination of a specific theory or research paper/topic. Through this process you will become familiar with the theory and research applying that specific theory as you undertake an analysis and evaluation of the research (theory/paper and published work using the theory). The report will assess your ability to analyse the topic and relevant research papers, identify limitations and formulate suggestions about further research opportunities, marshal your thoughts and ideas and communicate them via the Department's chosen submission approach (e.g. weekly/fortnightly review reports on the seminar papers that are being presented in the Department seminar series and presentations on the content of selected ground-breaking high-impact articles, or 2500 words for written report and 30 minutes for the presentation). You will be assessed on the identification and evaluation of relevant theory and concepts, and research on the selected/nominated topic; the depth of your research and critical analysis, and the quality of your communication to your audience.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Survey, critically analyse and evaluate research and theory used in seminal and contemporary research (in your discipline area).
  • Identify, synthesise and apply theory and research to develop ideas and propose ideas for potential new research opportunities (in your discipline area).
  • Communicate theory and research specific to the academic standards and conventions (in your discipline) to an audience.

Critical analysis of research

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

The critical analysis allows students to demonstrate their understanding of important theoretical and research domains and the current state of the literature on that specific topic/research domain in business, management and economics. You are required to focus on surveying, analysing and critically examining the literature related to specific theoretical and research area. Students are required to analyse, evaluate, and communicate the critical issues associated with the topic/research paper and draw an appropriate conclusion from their critical analysis. The analysis must be appropriately cited and referenced with academic sources.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Survey, critically analyse and evaluate research and theory used in seminal and contemporary research (in your discipline area).
  • Identify, synthesise and apply theory and research to develop ideas and propose ideas for potential new research opportunities (in your discipline area).
  • Communicate theory and research specific to the academic standards and conventions (in your discipline) to an audience.

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

Contacting staff

Consultation time – Please refer to the stream specific unit guide in iLearn site.

Technology Used and Required

You require computer technology sufficient to regularly access to the MQBS7010 iLearn site and the Departmental Research Seminar Series webpages via the internet. Competence in using all components of Microsoft Office is assumed.

Unit web page

  • Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn)
  • The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Unit activities

Please refer to stream specific unit guide for detailed information.

Unit Schedule

Please refer to the stream specific unit guide in iLearn site

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook