Students

FOAR700 – Research Frontiers 1

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Faculty Convenor
Demelza Marlin
demelza.marlin@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
FOAR701
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will prepare students for their transition into the second year of the MRES Degree. Through a combination of faculty-level and departmental seminars it will provide students with advanced disciplinary knowledge about research processes, practice and planning, with a particular focus on research writing and communication. Students will be exposed to leading research in their discipline and learn about the mindsets, habits and practices that shape the experience of becoming a researcher. Through a variety of research-related activities students will have the opportunity to demonstrate competence in the application of generic research skills to their area of research.

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:

  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

General Assessment Information

Late submission penalty: Written assignments

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.

Important note on final marks

All assessment results will be moderated during the teaching session in accordance with the assessment standards and criteria stipulated in the prescribed task rubrics.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Journal - Part 1 10% No Weekly
Research Journal - Part 2 10% No Week 13
Research Pitch 20% No Week 6
Oral/Poster Presentation 20% No Week 10
Research Proposal 40% No Week 13

Research Journal - Part 1

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

10 weekly journal entries (Due at the end of each week’s seminars)

Across the session students will keep a research journal to record weekly in-class learning activities and brief reflections on what is being learnt. The aim of the research journal is to track participation and engagement in the unit and record the development of student’s research projects. Each entry is worth 1% and must be uploaded onto ilearn before the end of the week. There is no min. word length requirement of these entries. They can take the form of bullet points, short reflective notes or scanned hand-written notes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Research Journal - Part 2

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

Reflective task

After the first class, students need to write a short reflection on how they see themselves as researchers, what they think research involves and what their expectations about the research process are. This will be included in their research journal (entry one). At the end of week 13 they need to return to this entry and write a more substantive reflection about the research process and the experience of becoming a researcher in light of what they’ve learnt through the course. What is research and who is a researcher? This reflection must refer to themes and/or questions addressed through the course readings/seminars.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Research Pitch

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

Word length – 1000

Write a brief exploratory overview of the research project you would like to explore for your MRes thesis. This research pitch should be written for a diverse audience including both specialist and non-specialist readers.

In this research pitch you need to provide clear and relevant background to your topic (this should include both background information about your topic and research context); clearly communicate the question or issues you would like to address; demonstrate how these questions/issues respond to problems or possibilities within the research context; explain the potential significance or relevance of your project (how it will advance knowledge in your area of research).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.

Oral/Poster Presentation

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%

In week 10 students will deliver a 5 minute research pitch on their proposed research project, building in elements you have worked on in your Research Pitch and draft Research Proposal. Poster and Oral presentations will be delivered during class time in week 10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.

Research Proposal

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

Word length – 2000-3000

Stage 1: Students will draft a research proposal using feedback from their Research Pitch and Oral/Poster Presentation.

Stage 2: Students will form peer review groups in class in week 12 and provide written and verbal feedback on one another’s drafts, focusing on the first 4-5 pages. Using this feedback students will revise and resubmit their final research proposal through Turnitin.

All sections of the Research proposal must be compiled into a single document and submitted via Turnitin in Week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.

Delivery and Resources

The schedule of seminars, readings and learning activities will be available in the online unit in iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

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).

Student Code of Conduct

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

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

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

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

  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Journal - Part 1
  • Research Proposal

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

  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Journal - Part 2
  • Research Pitch
  • Oral/Poster Presentation
  • Research Proposal

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 an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Journal - Part 1
  • Research Journal - Part 2
  • Research Pitch
  • Oral/Poster Presentation
  • Research Proposal

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

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles and concepts within a discipline area.
  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Journal - Part 1
  • Research Journal - Part 2
  • Research Pitch
  • Oral/Poster Presentation
  • Research Proposal

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

  • Display a high level of oral and written communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Journal - Part 1
  • Research Journal - Part 2
  • Research Pitch
  • Oral/Poster Presentation
  • Research Proposal

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

  • Evaluate the research principles, practices and methods used within a discipline area.
  • Identify appropriate research practices to support the development and completion of a research project.

Assessment task

  • Research Journal - Part 1

Changes from Previous Offering

Learning outcomes have been refined. Assessment tasks have been amended.