Overview
This unit will allow you to start to develop your Honours research area, including the development of a relevant and appropriate topic of study. You will develop specific skills in the critical analysis of the literature, research design, and written and oral communication.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Unit Feedback
Some links in the Moodle page were no longer functional.
It is recommended to check all links to external web pages after Moodle rollover.
- Search the literature utilising a wide range of library resources and online services
- Formulate and present a written proposal on a suitable research topic
- Demonstrate technical knowledge relevant to the topic
- Effectively communicate the background literature and proposed methodology relating to your chosen project to an educated non-specialist audience
- Undertake an oral presentation on the chosen topic.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 0% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 0% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 0% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Webcam and microphone/headset
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (or similar) software for viewing PDF documents.
- ZOOM software
- EndNote (bibliographical software). EndNote bibliographic software to format your references is NOT mandatory. This software is available to both on-campus and flex students and is available for Windows and Mac users. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. You are encouraged to trial this software early as I will be providing tips on its use and links to instructions each week. It is easy to use and very helpful. You can learn more about Endnote here https://libguides.library.cqu.edu.au/endnote
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.sinai@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to the course and doing honours research.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1. Ensure the Memorandum of Understanding (to be provided) has been completed and returned to the Head of Course via email to: c.pullen@cqu.edu.au
2. Determine if a human or animal ethics application is needed.
3. Complete any Risk Assessment forms.
4. Complete an Honours Project Technical Services Request Form.
5. Submit preferred time for weekly Zoom meetings.
Module/Topic
- How to carry out a literature review
- How to prepare a project proposal
- Details on assessment items for the course.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Organising your literature
- Downloading citations
- Cite while you write
- Reference lists.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Human ethics
- Animal ethics
- Research integrity.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Critical analysis of the current literature
- Introduction to systematic reviews.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Scientific writing styles
- Contextual writing
- Use of figures and tables
- Writing a research story
- The elevator pitch.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting: Elevator pitch (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Types of research study
- Scientific method
- Hypotheses
- Power analysis.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting: Research design and sample size (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Addressing assessment criteria
- Tips for perfecting your proposal and review.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting: Elevator pitch second go (not compulsory).
Module/Topic
- Outline of presentation expectations
- Tips on presenting a research proposal.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory).
An optional draft submission of your review and proposal may be submitted for comment by Friday Week 9 at 12:00 pm (NOON) (AEST).
Module/Topic
- Free week to work on reviews and proposals.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory, chance to talk through presentations).
Module/Topic
- Free week to work on reviews and proposals.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom meeting (not compulsory), open "surgery" on queries regarding the assessments.
Module/Topic
Writing Week.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Oral presentation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Presentation Due: You must submit your slides as a pdf file by 8.00 am AEST on the Monday of Review week. The presentation will be conducted on the Monday of Review week.
Oral Presentation Day
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
You will deliver a presentation which outlines your project, to your peers and academic colleagues, on the Monday of Review week. The presentation will:
- include a brief background to your project
- highlight the significance of the study
- outline the research question(s) to be answered
- describe the project methodology including ethical considerations and data collection and analytical techniques; and
- describe how the project outcomes will be disseminated.
The presentation will be no more than 15 minutes in duration (strictly adhering to this timeframe is essential), with up to 15 minutes for questions. Presentations will be delivered using ZOOM videoconferencing software. A ZOOM link will be made available to all students during the term. The presentation must be delivered 'live' and cannot be pre-recorded.
You must submit your slides as a pdf file by 8.00 am AEST on the Monday of Review week. The presentation will be conducted on the Monday of Review week and will be on the same day as final presentations for completing students, to help build an Honours research culture within the School.
You will be advised of your assessment outcome once all examiners have returned the marking sheets.
The presentation is assessed as a Pass/Fail item. In order to pass this assessment item, you must adequately address all of the criteria specified in the criteria sheet available on Moodle. Students who do not adequately address all criteria during their presentation will have the opportunity to do so by answering questions from the assessment panel during question time.
- Search the literature utilising a wide range of library resources and online services
- Demonstrate technical knowledge relevant to the topic
- Effectively communicate the background literature and proposed methodology relating to your chosen project to an educated non-specialist audience
- Undertake an oral presentation on the chosen topic.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
You will prepare and submit a single document which contains your literature review and project proposal. The literature review will provide a detailed background relevant to your topic. It will demonstrate a critical synthesis of the literature which is unbiased and well-researched, and will identify relevant gaps in research. The project proposal will specify one (1) or more research questions which have been identified from the review of the literature, and highlight the significance of undertaking the proposed research project. You will describe in detail the proposed methodology you will use to answer the research question(s) including data collection and analytical techniques both technical and statistical. In this way, you will demonstrate a sound understanding of the problem and the solution, and demonstrate that your project is feasible, and has the capacity to answer the proposed research questions.
An optional draft submission may be submitted for feedback by close of business, Friday Week 9 at 12:00 pm (NOON) (AEST). Final submission is due Friday of Week 12 at 12:00 pm (NOON) (AEST).
You will be advised of your assessment outcome once all examiners have returned the marking sheets.
The literature review and project proposal is assessed as a Pass/Fail item. In order to pass this assessment item, you must adequately address all of the criteria specified in the criteria sheet available on Moodle. A optional draft submission will be available during Week 9 of Term and brief feedback will be given on the document to allow changes to be made ahead of the final submission.
If you do do not adequately address all criteria in the final submission you will be advised of the fact and be given one (1) additional opportunity to resubmit. Terms regarding re-submission of the literature review and project proposal are outlined in the Honours course guidelines, which are available via the SCIH14001 Moodle page.
- Search the literature utilising a wide range of library resources and online services
- Formulate and present a written proposal on a suitable research topic
- Demonstrate technical knowledge relevant to the topic
- Effectively communicate the background literature and proposed methodology relating to your chosen project to an educated non-specialist audience
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
