Students
PICT812 – Methods of Research and Writing
2013 – S2 External
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Other Staff
Vincent Williams
Contact via vince.williams@mq.edu.au
Y3A 238
As detailed on the iLearn site
Unit Convenor
Allan Watt
Contact via allan.watt@mq.edu.au
Rm 240, Level 2, Building Y3A
By appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT Or PGDipPICT or PGCertPICT or MIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or PGCertIntSecStud or MPICTMIntSecSt
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit teaches students how to select an academically-disciplined research topic and identify and locate the essential primary and secondary source materials. The student is then instructed how to organise and assess this material by completing a primary and secondary source literature review. Finally, the student is taught how to structure and express in writing an academic argument on the thesis topic.
|
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:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
- The ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Unit participation | 20% | Weekly |
| Multiple choice tests | 10% | See ilearn |
| Research proposal | 20% | See ilearn |
| Research essay | 50% | End of session see ilearn |
Unit participation
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Multiple choice tests
Due: See ilearn
Weighting: 10%
In weeks 1 - 5 students will take a weekly on-line multiple choice test that assesses their knowledge of concepts from the lecture program.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Research proposal
Due: See ilearn
Weighting: 20%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Research essay
Due: End of session see ilearn
Weighting: 50%
3000 word essay discussing research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
- The ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Delivery and Resources
This unit is structured around 12 weekly modules, each of which has a specific topic
focus. Each weekly module will comprise a pre-recorded set of 2 lectures coupled with a
6 one hour interactive seminar conducted online. These recordings will be available on the
Unit’s iLearn site.
Students are expected to read widely, both the prescribed readings and
additional recommended texts. In addition, this unit requires all students to undertake
independent research throughout.
This unit demands active student engagement with the subject matter, and
this requirement is reflected in the high value given to participation-based assessment.
Engagement will be assessed through weekly contributions to an online discussion forum.
All students are expected (on a weekly basis) to listen to the relevant lecture, complete any
prescribed reading, independently research the topic, and participate in a discussion of a
number of key questions posed for that weekly topic.
What has changed?
This unit was significantly revised from previous versions in 2012. This years offering is similar to 2012.
Unit Schedule
This unit is delivered entirely online. The specific week by week content is detailed on the ilearn site.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
UniWISE provides:
- Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
- Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
- The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
- Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
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
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
Assessment tasks
- Unit participation
- Multiple choice tests
- Research proposal
- Research essay
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of the central tenants of rigorous research
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
Assessment tasks
- Unit participation
- Multiple choice tests
- Research proposal
- Research essay
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
- Explain in detail the methodological components necessary for the conducting of rigorous research
- Display ability to critically evaluate published research
- The ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
Assessment tasks
- Multiple choice tests
- Research proposal
- Research essay
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- The ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original written arguments cogently and coherently
Assessment tasks
- Unit participation
- Multiple choice tests
- Research proposal
- Research essay
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethical considerations in the conduct of rigorous research
Assessment task
- Unit participation
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Articulate the various concepts of conducting rigorous research
Assessment tasks
- Unit participation
- Multiple choice tests
- Research proposal
- Research essay
Readings
Prescribed readings will be detailed on the ilearn site. Below are a series of useful texts that give an excellent introduction to research.
Highly recommended Textbooks
Loseke, D., (2012). Methodological Thinking. Basic principles of social research.
London, UK: Sage
Punch, K F., (2005). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative
approaches (2nd edition). London, UK: Sage.
Marczyk, G., De Matteo, D., & Festinger, D. (2005). Essentials of Research Design
and Methodology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Cohen, B. H. & Lea, R. B. (2004). Essentials of Statistics for the Social and
Behavioral Sciences. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.