Students

POIR8040 – Research Methods in International Relations

2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Govand Azeez
govand.azeez@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or MPPP or MPASR or GradCertPPP or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntPubDip
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines general aspects of academic research including purpose/aims, questions and 'problems', organisation and design, the philosophy of science and associated debates, as well as specific methods and materials applied to pursue a research project including archives, interviews, surveys, quantitative, and discourse analysis.

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: understand aims and philosophical considerations underpinning academic research
  • ULO2: process knowledge of some different methods/methodologies in Politics and International Relations and related assumptions
  • ULO3: benefit from practical experience in designing a research proposal
  • ULO4: apply knowledge of concepts and terminologies applied in politics and International Relations research

General Assessment Information

Late penalty text:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
weekly participation 10% No Each week
Mid-semester Test 25% No Week 7
End of semester test 25% No Week 12
Research project proposal 40% No Week 13

weekly participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Each week
Weighting: 10%

 

participation in weekly discussion/activities (for on campus or online offerings)

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand aims and philosophical considerations underpinning academic research
  • process knowledge of some different methods/methodologies in Politics and International Relations and related assumptions
  • benefit from practical experience in designing a research proposal
  • apply knowledge of concepts and terminologies applied in politics and International Relations research

Mid-semester Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

Test on unit content to that point

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand aims and philosophical considerations underpinning academic research
  • process knowledge of some different methods/methodologies in Politics and International Relations and related assumptions

End of semester test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 25%

 

End of semester test.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand aims and philosophical considerations underpinning academic research
  • process knowledge of some different methods/methodologies in Politics and International Relations and related assumptions
  • benefit from practical experience in designing a research proposal

Research project proposal

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Write a detailed research proposal

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand aims and philosophical considerations underpinning academic research
  • process knowledge of some different methods/methodologies in Politics and International Relations and related assumptions
  • benefit from practical experience in designing a research proposal

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

Teaching Methods/Mode of Delivery:

INTERNALS: There will be two hour lecture and one hour tutorial every week. 

EXTERNALS: This unit encourages face to face learning. The classes are Asynchronous. The unit allows students to view materials each week at any time they choose and does not include a live video lecture component.

For access to materials and resources, please refer to ilearn.

Unit Schedule

POIR8040/S1/F2F-DAY/Lecture_1/01

Monday

3:00pm

4:00pm

1:00

 8‑14,17‑22 11 Wallys Wlk - 140 Tutorial Rm

Research Methods in International Relations - Lecture

  
POIR8040/S1/F2F-DAY/Tutorial_1/01

Monday

4:00pm

6:00pm

2:00

 8‑14,17‑22 11 Wallys Wlk - 140 Tutorial Rm

Research Methods in International Relations - Tutorial

  

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 2023.01R of the Handbook