Students

APPL7020 – Designing and Conducting Language-related Research

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Roger
Philip Chappell
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Acquiring advanced research knowledge and developing research skills is integral to and a core element of the Master of Research program. In this unit, you will be exposed to key research methodologies used in language-related research, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis. You will also be involved with learning and assessment activities that prepare you to conduct your own research in the future. By completing this unit, it is anticipated that you will master critical concepts in research, enabling you to engage critically with published research of different types, and apply your knowledge of research methods to the preparation of original research proposals for your own future research endeavours.

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: Identify and communicate a research topic to a professional audience
  • ULO2: Critically review and synthesise published literature related to the topic of your proposed research and communicate this to a professional audience
  • ULO3: Explain the underlying principles of five broad approaches used in research in the field of applied language study: qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis.
  • ULO4: Formulate and operationalise research questions/hypotheses relating to one area of language-related research
  • ULO5: Demonstrate your understanding of basic principles of research design in one area of language-related research through the presentation of a formal written research proposal.

General Assessment Information

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

 

Late submission of assignments

If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included. 

 

Use of Generative AI

Please refer to instructions from your lecturer on the use and acknowledgement of use of Generative AI in your submitted assignments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 20% No 5 & 6 April 2024
Research Question and Annotated Bibliography 30% No 1 May 2024
Research Proposal 50% Yes 9 June 2024

Online Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 5 & 6 April 2024
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will complete an open-book online quiz with questions covering content from the first part of the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the underlying principles of five broad approaches used in research in the field of applied language study: qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis.
  • Formulate and operationalise research questions/hypotheses relating to one area of language-related research

Research Question and Annotated Bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 1 May 2024
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will choose a topic and search databases and library resources to select relevant published articles to write an annotated bibliography that relates to their provisional research question.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and communicate a research topic to a professional audience
  • Critically review and synthesise published literature related to the topic of your proposed research and communicate this to a professional audience
  • Explain the underlying principles of five broad approaches used in research in the field of applied language study: qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis.
  • Formulate and operationalise research questions/hypotheses relating to one area of language-related research

Research Proposal

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 9 June 2024
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students will write a formal written literature review and research proposal for a small-scale study in an area of language-related research.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and communicate a research topic to a professional audience
  • Critically review and synthesise published literature related to the topic of your proposed research and communicate this to a professional audience
  • Explain the underlying principles of five broad approaches used in research in the field of applied language study: qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis.
  • Formulate and operationalise research questions/hypotheses relating to one area of language-related research
  • Demonstrate your understanding of basic principles of research design in one area of language-related research through the presentation of a formal written 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

APPL7020 is delivered through a weekly two-hour lecture-seminar on campus, and is co-taught with APPL8020. These lectures will also be offered simultaneously on Zoom, and will be recorded.  It is essential to attend the weekly classes OR engage with the class recording each week. In most weeks, students will be asked to complete some reading to accompany the topics that we are studying. Details of weekly reading and links to the relevant articles and chapters can be found on the Leganto block on the APPL8020/7020 iLearn site. There is no set textbook for this unit.

The class venue (room) can be found on the University timetable, and a Zoom link will be provided on the iLearn site for this unit.

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.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook