Students

FOAR8010 – Research Writing

2026 – 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 & GradDipRes Course Director
A/Prof Kirstin Mills
kirstin.mills@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 752, Level 7, 25B Wally's Walk (Arts Precinct)
By appointment. Please email me to arrange a consultation time.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to Graduate Diploma of Research OR Bachelor of Philosophy.
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit focuses on the academic craft of research writing and communication. It trains students in how to develop an effective, productive and sustainable research and writing practice suitable for independent research projects. It will prepare students for advanced-level academic writing and help students transition towards independent research. With a particular focus upon research writing, planning and editing tailored to the student's developing research project, this unit will equip students with knowledge about the mindsets, habits and practices that shape the way effective and productive researchers approach writing and communication for a range of different outputs and audiences. Students will have the opportunity to develop thinking, reading and writing habits, explore a range of traditional and digital skills and tools to support research, and produce written material in a range of genres that will provide an ideal foundation for their developing research topics and/or future academic writing.

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: Persuasively communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • ULO2: Critically evaluate the research writing and communication principles, practices, methods and concepts used within your discipline, including digital tools for research and communication.
  • ULO3: Edit your own and others’ writing to a pre-publication standard.
  • ULO4: Independently plan research activities, develop strategies for managing your time, and reflect on learning development through a reflective writing practice.
  • ULO5: Develop a persuasive research pitch suitable for both specialist and non-specialist audiences on a hypothetical research topic of your choosing.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

University Assessment Policy is as follows:

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.

To request an extension, please submit a Special Consideration application: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension
Reflective Writing for Research 20% No 05/04/2026 Individual No
Reflective Report: Editing and Peer Review 30% No 24/05/2026 Individual No
Research Pitch 50% No 14/06/2026 Individual No

Reflective Writing for Research

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 05/04/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

Students write a series of brief reflections on their learning development in response to provided prompts on topics related to seminars including, for example, independent plans for research activities, habits and mindsets as a writer, and strategies for managing their time as a researcher and writer.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Persuasively communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Critically evaluate the research writing and communication principles, practices, methods and concepts used within your discipline, including digital tools for research and communication.
  • Edit your own and others’ writing to a pre-publication standard.
  • Independently plan research activities, develop strategies for managing your time, and reflect on learning development through a reflective writing practice.

Reflective Report: Editing and Peer Review

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 24/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

Students write a brief reflective report outlining and evidencing their experience and learning while editing their own and others' work in a peer review group session (to be conducted during semester).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Persuasively communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Critically evaluate the research writing and communication principles, practices, methods and concepts used within your discipline, including digital tools for research and communication.
  • Edit your own and others’ writing to a pre-publication standard.
  • Independently plan research activities, develop strategies for managing your time, and reflect on learning development through a reflective writing practice.

Research Pitch

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 14/06/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

Students write a brief 'pitch' of their research project (their potential thesis topic, if intending to progress to the Master of Research, or a hypothetical research project for the purposes of the Graduate Diploma of Research if not), providing an introductory overview of the topic, its context and its impact. This research pitch should be written for a diverse audience including both specialist and non-specialist readers, and should focus on clear and engaging written expression.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Persuasively communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Critically evaluate the research writing and communication principles, practices, methods and concepts used within your discipline, including digital tools for research and communication.
  • Edit your own and others’ writing to a pre-publication standard.
  • Develop a persuasive research pitch suitable for both specialist and non-specialist audiences on a hypothetical research topic of your choosing.

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

Classes in this unit consist of a single, live seminar per week (no separate lectures/tutorials), which may be attended either on campus or online/Zoom depending on which mode you are enrolled in. Seminars consist of a blend of lecture-style instruction, writing and learning activities, and class discussion. Participation in these seminars (either on campus or via Zoom) is strongly encouraged. However, if you are unable to attend the live class for any reason, all classes are recorded and will be available via Echo360 afterwards (see iLearn). Most weeks include a short number of set readings, which students are expected to complete before class.

Please see either the FOAR8010 iLearn site or your e-student for class times and locations (the Zoom class link for online students is on the 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 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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 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 2026.01R of the Handbook