Students

FOHS701 – Research Communication in the Human Sciences

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Florence Chiew
florence.chiew@mq.edu.au
Contact via 9850 9834
Level 5 AHH
by appointment
Jennifer Cornish
jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au
Contact via 9850 8666
Level 5 AHH
by appointment
Anne McMaugh
anne.mcmaugh@mq.edu.au
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed to prepare students for the communication demands of entering into a research-intensive degree. Becoming a researcher involves developing the necessary communication skills. Researchers need to be able to clearly articulate research questions and findings in a scholarly fashion. They need to be able to read and critique relevant research. They need to be able to set out a clear written research proposal, in which they articulate key research questions, connections to relevant literature, appropriate methods and/or techniques, and the significance of the research. In addition, researchers are increasingly expected to communicate important ideas from their research and their discipline to non-expert audiences, and across disciplines. This unit will cover these key communication skills of the research context. As effective communication relies on responsible communication, this unit will also pay close attention to the ethical issues that can emerge from the research encounter, and through this deepen student appreciation of research integrity and responsibility.

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:

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

General Assessment Information

Late submissions

Unless an extension is granted, work that is submitted after the due date will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks for each week it is overdue (i.e. -10% for 1-6 days late; -20% for 7-13 days late; -30% for 14-20 days late). Work submitted more than 20 days late will not be accepted.

Special consideration

A student who has experienced unexpected, unavoidable, and serious circumstances affecting their assessable work may lodge an application for Special Consideration. All Special Consideration applications must be lodged online via the University’s Ask MQ system and must include supporting documentary evidence.

Applications will only be accepted in the following circumstances:

  • where academic work has been hampered to a substantial degree by illness or other cause; and
  • the circumstances are serious and unavoidable and beyond the student’s control; and
  • the application for Special Consideration is lodged no later than five (5) working days after the assessment task due date, examination or test date.

Lodging an application for Special Consideration does not guarantee that a student will be granted an additional/alternative assessment. Students are advised to continue to work on their assessments and complete them as soon as possible.

Student disability support

In order to obtain reasonable adjustments student(s) must first register with the Disability Service. A student is under no obligation to register however the University may be unable to provide services if registration does not occur. For more information, visit Campus Wellbeing and Support Services. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Expression of Interest Form 10% No Week 3
Journal article critique 20% No Week 6
Grant Proposal 50% No Week 11
Oral presentation 20% No Week 12 or 13

Expression of Interest Form

Due: Week 3
Weighting: 10%

Students will write, in no more than 120 words of plain English, a summary of the aims and the significance of a project they propose to write for their grant proposal assessment. This assessment aims to start the student thinking about their research interests and what type of study they would like to conduct if given the opportunity. The study can be based on their MRes Year 2 project, or an alternative study of interest. The EOI does not have to match the final proposal for the grant proposal task (grant writing seminars in weeks 6 and 7).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline

Journal article critique

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

Students will be required to review and critique a journal article (supplied) in their field of study. The critique should be no longer than 1000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Grant Proposal

Due: Week 11
Weighting: 50%

Through workshops in weeks 6 and 7, students will learn how to write a grant proposal. The grant proposal will be no longer than 2000 words + a lay description of 120 words, due for submission in week 11.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Oral presentation

Due: Week 12 or 13
Weighting: 20%

Students will be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation on a research paper of their choice. The presentation will critically reflect on and communicate the significance of the chosen paper.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Delivery and Resources

FOHS701 is delivered as follows:

  • 2 hours face-to-face seminar each week
  • The seminar is held on Mondays, 10am-12pm, in 4 Western Road, 310

Students will be automatically enrolled into the FOHS701 iLearn unit. This unit enables students to receive announcements, download and submit assignments, access seminar recordings, handouts and slides, and participate in online discussion forums. Readings will be available from Leganto through the iLearn site.

Unit Schedule

 

Week

Date

Topic

1 

29/7/19

Research and communication

 

2 

5/8/19

Writing a dissertation (part 1): Developing research questions

 

3 

12/8/19

Writing a dissertation (part 2): Critical reading for research

[Assignment 1 due - Grant EOI]

4 

19/8/19

Library research skills

 

5 

 

26/8/19

Writing the literature review

6

 

2/9/19

Writing a research grant/proposal

[Assignment 2 due - Journal critique]

7

 

9/09/19

Writing a research grant/proposal

 

 

 

Mid-session break

 

8

 

1/10/19

Research ethics and integrity/Copyright

 

9

8/10/19

Presentation skills

 

10

 

14/10/19

Academic writing and disciplinary conventions

 

11

 

21/10/19

Student presentations

[Assignment 3 due - Research grant/proposal]

12

 

28/10/19

Student presentations

[Assignment 4 due - Oral presentation]

 

 

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

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Assessment tasks

  • Journal article critique
  • Grant Proposal
  • Oral presentation

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

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Assessment tasks

  • Expression of Interest Form
  • Journal article critique
  • Grant Proposal
  • Oral presentation

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

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline

Assessment tasks

  • Expression of Interest Form
  • Journal article critique
  • Grant Proposal
  • Oral presentation

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

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Assessment tasks

  • Expression of Interest Form
  • Journal article critique
  • Grant 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 outcomes

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Communicate to a non-specialist audience research questions, concepts and findings in the candidate’s home discipline

Assessment tasks

  • Expression of Interest Form
  • Journal article critique
  • Grant Proposal
  • Oral presentation

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

  • Communicate research questions, key ideas, methods and findings, both orally and in writing, according to the academic requirements of the discipline
  • Design and produce a written research project proposal supported by appropriate literature and following discipline conventions
  • Describe the risks associated with academic misconduct and determine appropriate responses

Assessment tasks

  • Journal article critique
  • Grant Proposal
  • Oral presentation