Students
PICT809 – Research Project
2013 – FY1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Other Staff
Rebecca Vogel
Contact via rebecca.vogel@mq.edu.au
PICT offices
Business hours Monday-Wednesday
Unit Convenor
Karl Roberts
Contact via karl.roberts@mq.edu.au
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
8
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or MCompForensics
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Students enrolled in this unit are expected to research and compose one substantial research project or thesis of 15,000 words on an approved topic. Students will be supervised in all stages of this task by the unit convener, and by PICT staff. All enrolled students will undertake a major research project or thesis, including all the stages from topic selection through to completion. The unit therefore provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of particular relevance to themselves or their organisation. In so doing they will be encouraged to thoroughly engage with the existing research on their topic, using it as a stepping stone in developing their own interests and key analytical questions. This research relies on utilising secondary sources and does not require original empirical work. Indeed students are not permitted to conduct interviews or other fieldwork which would normally require ethics approval.
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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:
- ability to identify and develop an appropriate research question
- ability to apply an appropriate research methodology to a research question
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal | 15% | Week 8 session 1 |
| Draft of introduction | 15% | Week 2 session 2 |
| Final report | 70% | End of session 2 |
Proposal
Due: Week 8 session 1
Weighting: 15%
The proposal should be 1000 words. See ilearn for dues date.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- ability to identify and develop an appropriate research question
- ability to apply an appropriate research methodology to a research question
Draft of introduction
Due: Week 2 session 2
Weighting: 15%
The draft introduction should be 2-3000 words. See ilearn for due date.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
Final report
Due: End of session 2
Weighting: 70%
The final dissertation report should be 10000 words. See ilearn for due date.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Delivery and Resources
Students work independantly with support from their academic supervisor. All assignments should be submitted electronically by the due date. Please refer to ilearn for details and guidelines for submission.
There are no specific or required readings for this unit as students will identify and review literature that is relevant to their research question.
Unit Schedule
This unit does not have a weekly schedule as students work with a member of PICT staff who acts as their supervisor throughout the unit. Students should arrange and maintain regular contact with their supervisor who will provide advice and support through all stages of the unit.
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
- ability to identify and develop an appropriate research question
- ability to apply an appropriate research methodology to a research question
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Assessment tasks
- Proposal
- Draft of introduction
- Final report
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
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Assessment task
- Final report
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 outcome
- ability to apply an appropriate research methodology to a research question
Assessment task
- Draft of introduction
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 outcome
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Assessment task
- Final report
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 outcomes
- ability to identify and develop an appropriate research question
- ability to apply an appropriate research methodology to a research question
- ability to write a coherent analytical report that synthesizes the extant literature with the research findings and draws appropriate conclusions
Assessment tasks
- Proposal
- Final report
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 outcomes
- ability to identify and develop an appropriate research question
- ability to identify and critically evaluate academic, professional and other literature on a research topic
Assessment task
- Proposal