This assessment will cover the basic steps in the research process. Working in groups of between 2 and 4 members, identify an agricultural or land management-related problem that can be explored through research. Within your groups, discuss the following:

• title of the research;
• aim or purpose of the research;
• research question/s;
• research objectives;
• methodology (must be appropriate to spatial agricultural data); and
• significance of the research.

Each student is then required to summarise the key findings of the group discussions using a one-page research poster and submit via Moodle. The poster should be presented in an appropriate format (e.g. Word or pdf).

This assessment is Pass/Fail.

The research poster will be assessed on:

• The content
• The structure and layout
• Grammar/spelling

Further details and the marking rubric will be available on the Moodle page.

This assessment will involve the design and undertaking of both qualitative and quantitative data analyses, use of statistical software and the application of GIS techniques. The assessment will focus on the agricultural or land management-related problem you identified in your Assessment 1. This assessment has two parts (group and individual components):

Part A: Research Report (30%) - Group component

Working in groups of between 2 and 4 members:

• Develop a questionnaire to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Conduct a survey to collect both qualitative and quantitative data using the questionnaire.
• Analyse the data.
• Write a research report of 2000 - 3000 words.
  

Suggested structure of the Research Report:

• Title page
• Executive Summary
• Table of Contents
• Introduction – Background information, aims, and research objectives.
• Literature Review
• Methodology – Describe the methodology used to collect the data.
• Results and Discussion – Present and comment on the findings of the research. The results must show evidence of qualitative and quantitative data analyses, and the use of GIS techniques (e.g. map of the study area).
• Conclusion/Recommendations
• References
• Appendix – This must contain the questionnaire used to collect the data.

Note: The word count excludes Table of Contents, List of References and Appendices. Each group will submit one group report. Questionnaire data should be collected from at least 5 respondents. 

Part B: Pre-recorded video (10%) - Individual component

Each student is required to submit a 5-7 minute pre-recorded video focusing on the major highlights of the Research Report described in Part A above. Your video should include the following:

• Title
• Aims and research objectives
• Methodology
• Results and discussion
• Conclusions/recommendations

The video must show your image and presentation slides.

Part A (Research Report) will be assessed on:

• Content
• Structure
• Writing style
• Grammar/spelling
• Referencing (minimum of 5 references required)

• Number of words: 2000 - 3000

  
  

Part B (Pre-recorded video) will be assessed on:

• Content and layout
• Communication skills
• Time management

Further details and the marking rubric will be available on the Moodle page.

Journal Article

In this assessment, you will undertake data analysis using statistical methods and demonstrate your proficiency in integrating GIS data analysis with statistical analysis. You will be provided with sample data and the task requires you to prepare a (report in the format of a) research journal article. 

In order to complete the article, you will need to:

• Develop an appropriate research question based on the data provided. 
• Critically review relevant literature.
• Analyse the data using statistical and GIS techniques.
• Present results appropriately.
• Discuss key findings.

Suggested structure of the journal article:

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References – use Harvard (author-date) referencing style.

Articles will be reviewed in the manner of a real journal submission and a full assessment rubric will be available on the unit Moodle site. Please note:

• The article will be assessed on content, data analysis, discussion, presentation and writing quality.
• The article should be coherent, have flow and all material sourced externally must be cited.
• Text should be word-processed, with appropriate layout and use of headings/sub-headings. Tables and figures to illustrate specific aspects may be included with titles and acknowledgement where necessary.
• Data should be clearly presented, e.g. numerical data must be tabulated.
• Figures and tables should be correctly labelled.
• There should be no typographical errors.
• Number of words: 2500 - 3000, excluding the Table of Contents, List of References and the Appendix (if any).
• The article should be submitted in an editable format (Microsoft Word format highly recommended).

Further details on sources of data and the marking rubric will be available on the Moodle page.