Students

MHHS8005 – Research Project Management

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jennifer Rowland
jen.rowland@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit you will review the key stages of a research project, from conception to completion. Topics covered will include: project design and planning; establishing key project contributors; launching a project; managing a project underway; troubleshooting and dealing with change; record keeping; communicating and networking; publishing; and project completion. These topics will be explored in the context of short (1 year) and long (3 year) research projects. In completing this unit, you will develop a clear understanding of how to deliver a research project from start to finish.

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: Describe how to design and deliver a project plan.
  • ULO2: Critically evaluate components and deliverables of a project.
  • ULO3: Apply understanding of project management techniques in selected disciplinary practice.
  • ULO4: Evaluate best project troubleshooting approaches and the required associated steps.
  • ULO5: Describe the coordination of a research project with a diverse multidisciplinary team.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate skills in communication and self-directed learning.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Retrospective review of a research thesis 40% No 11/10/2026 Individual Yes Open
Project Cycle Analysis 40% No 04/11/2026 Individual Yes Open
Ethics, Integrity, and Practice Quiz 20% No Week 6 Individual No Observed

Retrospective review of a research thesis

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 11/10/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Review a research thesis from your discipline to determine what the project plan may have retrospectively involved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe how to design and deliver a project plan.
  • Critically evaluate components and deliverables of a project.
  • Apply understanding of project management techniques in selected disciplinary practice.
  • Evaluate best project troubleshooting approaches and the required associated steps.
  • Describe the coordination of a research project with a diverse multidisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrate skills in communication and self-directed learning.

Project Cycle Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 04/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Complete a graphical presentation of the project cycle in your discipline. Highlight at least three issues that might impact the project at any stage of the cycle, and outline approaches that might be taken to troubleshoot these issues as they arise.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate components and deliverables of a project.
  • Apply understanding of project management techniques in selected disciplinary practice.
  • Evaluate best project troubleshooting approaches and the required associated steps.
  • Describe the coordination of a research project with a diverse multidisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrate skills in communication and self-directed learning.

Ethics, Integrity, and Practice Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Complete quiz on ethics, integrity and practice in research project planning and delivery. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe how to design and deliver a project plan.
  • Critically evaluate components and deliverables of a project.
  • Demonstrate skills in communication and self-directed learning.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

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

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Student Enquiries

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IT Help

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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 2026.02 of the Handbook