Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Adele Garnier
Contact via Email. Phone: 02 9850 7075
Hearing Hub Building, level 2 south wing
Tuesday 11-1 and by appointment
Francesco Stolfi
Adele Garnier
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
POL820 and POIR901 and admission to MPPP or MPPPMDevStud or MPPPMPASR or MPPPMIntRel
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This is a self-directed research project under supervision. Students will identify a contemporary or historical policy problem, and plan and undertake in-depth research culminating in an original dissertation.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late Submissions
Late Submission Penalty “Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Research Proposal | 20% | Yes | Sunday 18 August, 11:59pm |
Literature Review | 20% | No | Sunday 8 September, 11:59pm |
Dissertation | 60% | No | Monday 11 November, 11:59pm |
Due: Sunday 18 August, 11:59pm
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The first assessment task requires you to refine your general topic area so that it addresses a specific problem. You should do this in consultation with the unit convenor. This task involves defining some research questions which your project will answer, and developing a tentative argument in relation to the problems/issues you intend to address. Your proposal should also give an indication of the relevant research literature in your chosen area, and identify the methodology which you intend to use in conducting your research.
Your written research proposal should include the following components:
Total word limit for the research proposal: 1500 words
A marking rubric is provided on the iLearn site. Note that this is a hurdlle assignment: I will not mark your final dissertation if you have not submitted a research proposal.
Due: Sunday 8 September, 11:59pm
Weighting: 20%
The second assessment task requires you to identify and analyse the relevant scholarly literature for your research project. You will need to do a substantial amount of reading to be able to find the most relevant books and articles. The literature review also requires you to demonstrate your reading, comprehension and analytical skills.
The literature review should do the following:
The literature review may form part of your final essay, subject to revisions in response to feedback from the unit convenor.
Word limit: 1500 words
The marking criteria and rubric are posted on the iLearn site.
Due: Monday 11 November, 11:59pm
Weighting: 60%
The final task is the submission of the dissertation which is the end result of your research project. Your dissertation will be a piece of formal academic writing, which demonstrates mastery of the topic area, shows originality in your analysis, and presents a clear, coherent and well-substantiated argument.
Your dissertation should include:
Submission instructions: Submit the dissertation electronically to Turnitin Assignments on the iLearn website by midnight on the due date. No hard copy is required.
Examination of dissertation: Your dissertation will be marked by two examiners from within the department.
Word limit: The dissertation has a maximum word limit of 6000 words, not including the bibliography.
Resources:
This unit has a unit webpage which is accessible only to currently enrolled students. Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
There is no text book for this unit. There are suggested readings about research practice posted on the iLearn site, and these will be available in the Macquarie University library.
There are many valuable resources within the Macquarie University Library, and the staff in the library are also able to help you to find the materials you need. The Library also runs useful sessions on You should get to know the library well during this unit, and familiarise yourself early in the session with the databases and other resources available through the Library website. Further details are available here: http://www.mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/library/research
Supervision:
This is an exercise in independent research, and you are expected to draw on knowledge and skills which you have developed in other units in the Master of Politics and Public Policy, and to further develop your knowledge and skills as you work independently on a topic of your choice. The unit convenor will guide you as you undertake your research project. You should meet or communicate by telephone with your supervisor on a regular basis during the semester. As a guide, you should discuss your research project with the unit convenor on a fortnightly basis.
There are no timetabled classes for this unit.
I would like to touch base with students (on email is fine, but if you are near campus we can also meet in person) in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12. This will be principally to discuss the assessment tasks and what is required, and to discuss your specific research. In addition, students are welcome to make an appointment with me at any time. Finally, I will read one draft of your dissertation and return feedback in track changes, which will not be graded. This is not compulsory, but if students would like feedback they should get their draft to me no later than week 11.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
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 ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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