Students
MQBS8900 – Business Research Communication
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Ha Vu
Contact via ha.vu@mq.edu.au
Room 429 4 Eastern Road
Lecturer
Terry Royce
Contact via terry.royce@mq.edu.au
Please email the lecturer any question you might have.
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to Graduate Certificate of Research in Business, Graduate Diploma of Research in Business
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The unit helps students to develop a researcher’s mindset by introducing the essential elements of the research process, including a critical review, research proposal and research communication. The unit will cover the philosophical aspects of the scientific process and knowledge paradigms, the purpose of research and its role within academic and corporate communities and research integrity. In particular, it focuses on developing a coherent and comprehensive review of existing knowledge and insights, identifying relevant research questions, proposing research approaches and methodologies, contextualising research contributions and communicating to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
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: Critically review existing knowledge and insights in your discipline.
- ULO2: Develop a research proposal to address a relevant gap identified in the critical review.
- ULO3: Communicate research ideas, proposals, findings and implications to academic, corporate and non-specialist audiences using appropriate communication styles.
General Assessment Information
All writtent assessments must be submitted via turnitin in ilearn no later than 11:55pm on the specified submission date.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
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 grade of ‘0’ 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 concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical review | 40% | No | 21/04/2025 |
| Presentation of research proposal | 20% | No | 02/06/2025 |
| Written research proposal | 40% | No | 13/06/2025 |
Critical review
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 21/04/2025
Weighting: 40%
Students write a critical review of a discipline-specific topic using existing knowledge and insights. Length: 3,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically review existing knowledge and insights in your discipline.
Presentation of research proposal
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 02/06/2025
Weighting: 20%
Students present a research proposal addressing the relevant gap identified in the critical review. Length: 10 minutes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop a research proposal to address a relevant gap identified in the critical review.
- Communicate research ideas, proposals, findings and implications to academic, corporate and non-specialist audiences using appropriate communication styles.
Written research proposal
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 13/06/2025
Weighting: 40%
Students write a research proposal addressing the relevant gap identified in the critical review and taking into account the feedback received from the presentation. Length: 3,000 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop a research proposal to address a relevant gap identified in the critical review.
- Communicate research ideas, proposals, findings and implications to academic, corporate and non-specialist audiences using appropriate communication styles.
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
Delivery: 3-hour seminar each week, on-campus as per timetable.
Resources: Please see iLearn for weekly resources.
Unit Schedule
Week 1 Fundamental Knowledge for Starting a Research Project
Week 2 How to Write a Critical Literature Review
Week 3 Library Skills and Information Literacy Support for Research
Week 4 Critiquing Literature and Developing Research Questions
Week 5 Working with Theory in Research
Week 6 Citation & Writing Style & A Rigorous Description & Justification of Methods
Week 7 Literature Review Rhetorical Structure & Interpret Results and Draw Implications
Week 8 Communicating Research to Specialist and non-Specialist Audiences & Develop Arguments and Write with Good Flow
Week 9 The research proposal / research ‘story’
Week 10 Abstracts & introductions: how to set the stage for your reader(s)
Week 11 Methodology revisited (for the question) & results (the answers)
Week 12 Discussion & Conclusion
Week 13 Presentation of Research Proposal
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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 connect.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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.02 of the Handbook