Overview
In this unit, you will work and learn autonomously, demonstrate professional capabilities expected of a graduating industry practitioner, formulate and adhere to a research plan, communicate progress, and prepare interim reports and presentations. You will define and scope a research topic by applying detailed technical knowledge and industry based methodologies, assessing safety and risk factors, preparing a feasible plan and drafting an implementation schedule. The unit will give you an opportunity to develop your personal and interpersonal skills and use effectively different modes of communication. Note: Prior to the commencement of term and before an enrolment can be accepted, you must confirm with the unit coordinator that you have identified a suitable research interest and an academic supervisor is available. Students who have successfully completed BLCN14036 or BLSV14012 should not enrol in this unit.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite Condition: Successfully completed 126 units of credits in the Building Surveying (Honours) or Construction Management (Honours) course.
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 - 2018
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 graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
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 Moodle Unit Evaluation
Except for one student who seems not to be interested in this unit finding it unnecessary and irrelevant to real life, the other 8 students who completed the Unit Evaluation Survey were relatively satisfied with aspects of unit delivery in T1 2017.
This unit was developed to prepare students for conducting a research project i.e. learning to prepare a research plan and consider research methods and strategies for it. We continue to provide updated resources on formulating research questions, research methodology and strategies, data collection methods, and data analysis.
- Formulate and operate a research plan.
- Apply detailed technical knowledge and industry based methodologies, assess safety and risk factors, and prepare a feasible plan and implementation schedule.
- Discover and use information sources and technology to collect, analyse and interpret data, notes and references.
- Practice personal and interpersonal skills.
- Use effectively different modes of communication.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
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 and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- EndNote or similar bibliographic software is recommended. EndNote is available free of charge from CQUniversity via the Library or IT services.
- Statistical software relevant to the students' study area such as R, SPSS, NVIVO which can be accessed via CQU site licenses for minimal or no cost.
- Word processing software such as MS Word
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.abbasi@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1. Introduction to Research Methodology and Methods of Knowing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2. Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3. The Research Process: from ideas to results
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4. Research Design and Strategies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4. Research Design and Strategies (continues)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5. Data Collection Methods
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5. Data Collection Methods (continues)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6. Research Ethics and Sampling Strategies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7. Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7. Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis (continues)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8. Writing a Research Report for Publication
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8. Writing a Research Report for Publication (continues)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation and Written Assessment
This assessment involves a teamwork research on a topic in built environment disciplines. Teamwork collaboration will be necessary to satisfactorily achieve the learning outcomes. You will be required to deliver a team presentation of the findings and submit an individual written report. This assessment item relates to the unit learning outcomes 3 and 4. The task will address Topics 1 and 2 of the Study Guide.
Week 4 Monday (26 Mar 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Monday (16 Apr 2018)
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues;
- Demonstration of an understanding of all issues raised in the study guide;
- Use of quality supporting documentation;
- Use of original thought and content;
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other graphics; and
- Demonstration and application of core knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Formulate and operate a research plan.
- Apply detailed technical knowledge and industry based methodologies, assess safety and risk factors, and prepare a feasible plan and implementation schedule.
- Discover and use information sources and technology to collect, analyse and interpret data, notes and references.
- Practice personal and interpersonal skills.
- Use effectively different modes of communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
This assessment involves developing a research plan outline for a topic that you choose from the built environment disciplines. This assessment item relates to the unit learning outcomes 1, 2, and 5. The task will address Topics 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Study Guide.
Week 8 Monday (30 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Monday (14 May 2018)
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues;
- Demonstration of an understanding of all issues raised in the study guide;
- Use of quality supporting documentation;
- Use of original thought and content;
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other graphics; and
- Demonstration and application of core knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Formulate and operate a research plan.
- Apply detailed technical knowledge and industry based methodologies, assess safety and risk factors, and prepare a feasible plan and implementation schedule.
- Discover and use information sources and technology to collect, analyse and interpret data, notes and references.
- Practice personal and interpersonal skills.
- Use effectively different modes of communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Presentation and Written Assessment
This assessment involves writing an research report based on the research plan outline that you developed in the previous assessment. This assessment relates to the unit learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The task will address Topics 1-8 of the Study Guide.
Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
After certification of grades or within two weeks of submission, whichever occurs later.
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues;
- Demonstration of an understanding of all issues raised in the study guide;
- Use of quality supporting documentation;
- Use of original thought and content;
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other graphics; and
- Demonstration and application of core knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Formulate and operate a research plan.
- Apply detailed technical knowledge and industry based methodologies, assess safety and risk factors, and prepare a feasible plan and implementation schedule.
- Discover and use information sources and technology to collect, analyse and interpret data, notes and references.
- Practice personal and interpersonal skills.
- Use effectively different modes of communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural 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?
