EDUC 7058 - Research Processes

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course provides an introduction to designing a postgraduate research project including reviewing literature, identifying a research focus, constructing feasible research questions and proposing a project outline

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Course Details

Course Code	EDUC 7058
Course	Research Processes
Coordinating Unit	School of Education
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	Research Design or Ed Inquiry (MEd students)
Assessment	readings/discussion portfolio, research review presentation, research proposal

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Christine Raju

Course lecturer: Dr Christine Raju

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse research articles in the discipline and take effective notes
2. Identify key information in each article and write a comprehensive annotated bibliography
3. Synthesize and analyse research in annotated bibliography and develop a critical review article around one topic
4. Identify key methodological elements that need to be reported
5. Write up a short methodology section for a paper
6. Analyse quantitative and qualitative data sets and identify main features for description
7. Communicate quantitative and qualitative data sets in visual and written text
8. Organize and manage a short conference session
9. Communicate a research study in the form of a short paper presentation and document
10. Reflect on own and other’s strengths and weaknesses in peer review sessions

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 5, 6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2, 3, 4, 6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4, 5, 9
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7, 8, 9, 10
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	3, 7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	10
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	8, 9, 10
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	4, 8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course. Rather students will be required to read selected literature on key research processes covered in the course.

Online Learning

Additional course-related material is available through MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course is built around a series of lectures covering the design, writing and presentation of research. These are complemented by seminars addressing the practical aspects of creating research documents/ presentations reporting on primary data.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below summarises the anticipated time commitment required to enable successful completion of this course.

1 x 2 hour lecture/ workshop per week (x12) = 24
1 x 1 hour seminar per week or additional reading = 12
1x 3 hour reading per week (x12) & annotated Bibliography = 36
Conference preparation in groups = 10
Written Assignment Preparation = 74
= 156

Learning Activities Summary

The following summarises the 12 weeks of activity:
1 Identifying a research focus and literature searching techniques; Annotated Bibliographies
2. Review articles – genre analysis ; writing introductions and sections in a review article
3. Systematic reviews (reviews with a methodology); Writing methodology sections
4. Language & self-editing in reviews; Peer review of draft critical review articles
5. Identifying important quantitative data; Presenting quantitative data visually
6. Identifying important qualitative data; Reporting on qualitative data
7. Genre analysis description and discussion papers; Peer review of data description exercises
8. Organizing a conference; Planning schedule and parameters
9. Writing an abstract; Review and feedback on draft abstracts
10. Genre analysis paper presentation; Work in groups on refining presentations
11. Genre analysis of short articles; Peer review of draft articles/ practice for conference
12. Mini conference; Mini conference and function

Specific Course Requirements

n/a

Small Group Discovery Experience

Although this is not specifically and SGDE course, all activities revolve around research work in small groups.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Annotated Bibliography: 2000 word Annotated Bibliography in the student’s field of interest covering at least 20 research articles.
(Formative & Summative). Due Week 4. 15% of total grade. Learning Outcomes: 1,2

Critical Review article: 1000 words short review article highlighting one topic addressed in Annotated Bibliography
(Summative). Due Week 6. 20% of total grade. Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3

Identifying important method elements and writing about methods: Class work exercises (Formative). Due week 7. 5% of total grade. Learning Outcomes: 4,5

Identifying key data elements for description and discussion: Class work and homework exercises (Formative). Due Week 9.
5% of total grade. Learning Outcomes: 6,7

Organizing a conference: Chairing sessions, managing program, reviewing abstracts (Formative). Reviews due Week 11.
5% of total grades. Learning Outcomes: 8, 10.

Presenting a short paper: 10 minute/10 slides: Including introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion (Formative and Summative). Present Week 12. 20% of total grade. Learning Outcome 9.

Writing a short research article (either on an aspect of own project or a data given to the student), Including introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion (3000 words). Due Week 13 (one week after end of classes). 30% of total grade. Learning Outcome 9.

Assessment Related Requirements

Note that attendance at seminars is compulsory. Students who are unable to provide justification for non-attendance will fail the course.

All assessments are graded according to assessment grids with descriptors based on The Researcher Skills Development Framework (Willison & O'Regan, 2008) according to the following criteria:

Distinction:
All the qualities of Bands 1 – 5 of the Researcher Skills Development Framework as described in the relevant assessment grid.

Credit:
All the qualities of Bands 1 – 4 of the Researcher Skills Development Framework as described in the relevant assessment grid.

Pass:
A marginal pass including all the qualities of Bands 1 – 3 of the Researcher Skills Development Framework as described in the relevant assessment grid.

Fail:
Less than Band 3 on the Researcher Skills Development Framework as described in the relevant assessment grid.

Assessment Detail

Assessment detail will be provided on introduction of each assignment.

Submission

The tasks are due for submission by 4.00pm on the due dates specified. Submission of assignments after the due dates listed above will receive a penalty. The penalty, which has been set by the Researcher Education and Development unit, will be a deduction of one Band per week (or part of a week) from the original Band awarded. For example, if you are awarded a Distinction for an assignment submitted one week later than the due date, the actual Band you receive will be a Credit. Assignments must be accompanied by an Assessment Submission Sheet, available at .

Students with acceptable reasons (medical or compassionate reasons or as a result of exceptional circumstances) may apply for an extension. The application for an extension must be made in writing to the Course Coordinator (using the Application for Supplementary Examination available from the following URL: ) before the deadline and be accompanied by relevant documentation to support the request. If approved, a new deadline will be set, taking into account the circumstances of the request and the time that would have been lost from studies. Assignments will normally be returned within two weeks of the submission date.

Re-submission of work
Students who have submitted written assessments on time but have not passed may be allowed to resubmit their work. Please contact the Researcher Education and Development unit for more information about re-submission of work.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

The Grading Basis used for this course is The Researcher Skills Development Framework (Willison & O'Regan, 2008). Details of the grades/results available in this Grading Basis can be obtained from the following URL: . All assignments in this course are co-marked by the designated supervisor in the student’s discipline. A student must receive a pass mark from both their supervisor and Research Design lecturer in order to pass the course. While the supervisor grades the student on content and compliance with the disciplinary conventions, the Research Design lecturer will grade the student on language, document structure, presentation skills and cohesion.

Re-marking of work
Students are able to request a re-mark if they have valid reasons for disputing a mark awarded. Students must first seek and receive feedback from the course coordinator, who will provide further information.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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