Overview
Researching business problems is an important part of professional practice and being a successful business manager and leader. This is a capstone unit that draws upon your area of specialisation and your wider knowledge of business environments both globally and locally. This unit aims to develop your skills in undertaking an independent professional research project. You will engage in conducting an applied research project in your chosen business discipline to identify challenges and develop possible solutions and recommendations. This unit requires independent research and autonomy in review and analysis of secondary sources related to your profession, development of research questions, analysis of data and information, and identification of solutions and recommendations. An important aspect of this unit is to develop insights and provide recommendations that may improve your profession and the roles normally undertaken in business and industry by people in your identified profession.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: BUSN20016 Research in Business.
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 - 2020
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 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 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 Unit Evaluations
Students are pleased with the way in which the teaching team works together to address their concerns. They are particularly pleased with the assistance which they receive from the Unit Coordinator to ensure specific and formative feedback on assessments.
The Unit Coordinator will continue to offer zoom and drop in sessions for students on a weekly basis. The teaching team will continue to provide formative and summative assessment feedback and work together to address matters (particularly assessment matters) raised by students.
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of current issues in your profession
- Apply the skills and knowledge gained from other subjects to identify and successfully investigate a complex problem relevant to your profession
- Critically review current relevant literature to inform your project’s aims and approach
- Apply research skills to identify, collect and analyse suitable secondary data relevant to your chosen problem
- Synthesise literature and data to develop critical discussion and appropriate conclusions
- Communicate key findings in a scholarly manner and outline recommendations for your profession and further research.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Research Proposal - 40% | ||||||
2 - Research Assignment - 60% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Knowledge | ||||||
2 - Communication | ||||||
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||||
4 - Research | ||||||
5 - Self-management | ||||||
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||||
7 - Leadership | ||||||
8 - 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 | |
1 - Research Proposal - 40% | ||||||||
2 - Research Assignment - 60% |
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.macht@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
LECTURE 1: The Basics (overview of the unit and revision of the basics).
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise the research process and understand secondary data (see BUSN20016).
Chapter
There is no prescribed textbook for this unit. Reading materials and other resources are in Moodle.
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 1 in Moodle.
Start exploring data sources to identify appropriate research question(s), and then start developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Start working on your project NOW - all assessments build upon one another and you need to work on your project consistently throughout the entire term.
Familiarise yourself with the Moodle site and begin to look for publicly available secondary data that could become the basis of your project. Bring your ideas and suggested data sources to the tutorial next week for instant feedback - the earlier you start this process, the better.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 1: Data versus Topic (How to choose a good project).
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Continue revising the research process and understand secondary data (see BUSN20016).
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 2 in Moodle.
Keep exploring data sources to identify appropriate research question(s), and then start developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bring your project ideas and suggested data sources to the tutorial for discussion and instant feedback. You will have the opportunity to informally present your ideas for discussion and instant feedback from tutor and peers. Online students will receive feedback through digital means. We recommend you make use of this opportunity.
Start drafting a one-page document summarising your ideas in terms of data sources, research question(s), and plan to conduct the research (this will become your assessment 1.1).
Module/Topic
LECTURE 2: Refining a Project.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise your understanding of Literature Reviews.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 3 in Moodle.
Keep exploring data sources to identify appropriate research question(s), and then start developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Finish drafting your one-page document summarising your planned project (this will become your assessment 1.1). Bring your draft document to the tutorial next week to refine and finalise it.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 2: Data, Topic and Literature.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Continue revising your understanding of Literature Reviews.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 4 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bring your project ideas and suggested data sources to the tutorial for discussion and instant feedback. You will have the opportunity to informally present your ideas for discussion and instant feedback from tutor and peers. Online students will receive feedback through digital means. We recommend you make use of this opportunity.
Project Plan (ASSESSMENT 1.1) Due: Week 4 Friday (03 April 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Do NOT ignore your project until you have received your marks for assessment 1.1 - the earlier you start working on assessment 1.2, the better. At this point, you may want to start writing the literature review.
Module/Topic
LECTURE 3: Literature Reviews (Advanced).
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise data collection and analysis.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 5 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep working on your project proposal (assessment 1.2). Bring your progress and ideas to the tutorial next week for instant feedback.
Module/Topic
Make-up classes for public holidays may be scheduled in this week - if that is the case, please refer to your personal timetable and communication from your tutor/lecturer.
Chapter
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Use this week to progress your project.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 3: Approaches and Methods.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Continue revising data collection and analysis.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 6 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Project Proposal (ASSESSMENT 1.2) Due: Week 6 Friday 24 April 2020) 11:45pm AEST
Do NOT ignore your project until you have received your marks for assessment 1.2 - the earlier you start working on assessment 2, the better.
Module/Topic
LECTURE 4: Methods and Data Analysis.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Continue revising data collection and analysis.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 7 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep progressing your project and start working on assessment 2 (project report).
Bring your progress and ideas to the tutorial next week for instant feedback.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 4: Results/Findings.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise data analysis.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 8 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep progressing your project and work on assessment 2 (project report).
Module/Topic
LECTURE 5: Results/Findings and Discussion.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise data analysis and literature review.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 9 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep progressing your project and work on assessment 2 (project report).
Bring your progress and ideas to the tutorial next week for instant feedback.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 5: Discussion and Literature Review.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise literature review.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 10 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep progressing your project and work on assessment 2 (project report).
Module/Topic
LECTURE 6: Conclusion and Introduction.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise conclusion, introduction and research questions.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 11 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Keep progressing your project and work on assessment 2 (project report).
Bring your progress and ideas to the tutorial next week for instant feedback.
Module/Topic
TUTORIAL 6: Finalising your Report.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Revise professional writing and referencing.
Chapter
Read/watch the resources in the section labelled Week 12 in Moodle.
Keep developing your own reading list relevant to YOUR chosen project.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete your project and finalise your project report (assessment 2).
Project Report (ASSESSMENT 2) Due: Week 12 Friday (05 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
There is NO exam in this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
There are various public holidays and vacation periods during this term. Please check the academic calendar to see which dates are affected in your state/territory. Please ensure you check your emails regularly as information about class re-scheduling will be communicated via email.
1 Research Proposal
Unit assessment overview:
During this unit, you will complete an individual professional research project that contains a number of cumulative components - this means that Assessment 2 will build on the components assembled in Assessment 1. You will be given significant feedback and feed-forward during and after Assessment 1, which you must use to develop Assessment 2.
In this unit, you will demonstrate a synthesis of the knowledge, learning, business research methodologies, and professional skills that you have acquired and practiced throughout your ENTIRE Masters course. In particular, this unit builds upon your previous work in the unit Research in Business.
However, this time you will actually do a research project. The Professional Project will be based SOLELY on publicly available secondary data and it is important that you familiarise yourself early in the unit with the meaning of 'secondary data'. You will work independently (although within a structure) to plan, carry out and report on an investigation that addresses an issue or problem in business relevant to the profession, towards which you are studying now (this must be one of the following: marketing, accounting, management, or human resource management).
To make sure you are on the right track and have chosen a suitable and feasible project, with appropriate secondary data, you are STRONGLY encouraged to make use of the opportunities provided during class time (online in case of distance students) to present and discuss your ideas to obtain feedback from tutor and peers. These opportunities are optional but experience shows that students who make use of them are able to avoid mistakes.
Assessment 1: Project proposal (40%)
This assessment will be completed in two steps.
Assessment 1.1, worth 15% of total unit marks: Project plan.
This assignment requires you to submit, at the end of week 4, a very short project plan. This project plan will contain six components:
- Title. A clear and concise title that is unambiguously related to one of the following professions: marketing, accounting, management or human resource management.
- Background and problem statement. Expand on your title to provide a brief overview of the background to your project, i.e.: What do you want to research and why should this be researched? It is recommended you integrate some literature in this section.
- Data source(s) and research methodology. Clearly present the publicly available secondary data you will use for your project. To do so, you must either include a website with a link to a publicly available raw secondary data set, or a short description of how you will use publicly available sources as raw secondary data. Briefly describe the research methodology you will use and how you plan to analyse your data.
- Research question(s). Between 1 and 3 clearly articulated research questions that can be answered with the secondary data source(s) you identified above. To make this very clear, you may possibly need to include a more detailed definition of variables or key themes to be explored.
- Short literature review. Pick (at least) THREE peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles that you think will be suitable to become part of your project's literature review. Write TWO sentences that combine ALL THREE (or more if you have chosen more) of these sources (referenced correctly) and provide them in a reference list.
- Gantt chart. Prepare a Gantt chart that demonstrates a realistic understanding of the various research activities, and their time duration, you need to carry out in order to complete your project.
Note: You must use common font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman) with font size 11 or 12, as well as appropriate margins and spacing. You may place the Gantt chart on a second page, but ALL other contents must fit onto one single page of A4 and not exceed 500 words. Please do NOT submit a title page, table of contents or executive summary - these are not required for assessment 1.1.
Assessment 1.2, worth 25% of total unit marks: Project proposal.
This assessment is the extension of your project plan (assessment 1.1). For this assignment, due at the end of week 6, you must use the feedback from assessment 1.1 to prepare a more detailed project proposal. The proposal is an individual assessment, to be written in professional report format, and contains the following:
- Title page (with a clear project title), executive summary, table of contents
- Background, problem statement and research question(s). This section functions as the introduction to your report and it will be a more detailed version of what you have already prepared for assessment 1.1. It needs to provide a clear overview of the project in the context of its background, why the problem needs to be researched, and the research question(s) your project will answer.
-
Literature review. A short, preliminary literature review that demonstrates your ability to critically review literature and theory relevant to your project.
- Research methodology. A clear presentation of the data source(s) you will use, as well as a detailed description of how you will collect and analyse the data. You should attempt to also explain why your chosen approaches to data collection and analysis will be suitable for your project. Remember that you may only use publicly available secondary data.
- Reference list. All sources, which you have used in the text of your project proposal, need to be referenced correctly in the text AND within a reference list at the end of your proposal. You are required to use a MINIMUM of 10 suitable peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles.
Note: The required length for this report is 1,500 words (+/- 10%), excluding preliminaries, reference list and appendices. Appendices are optional and should be used for supplementary material only. You must use common font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman) with font size 11 or 12, as well as appropriate margins and spacing.
Assessment 1.1 (single-page project plan) is due in WEEK 4 (Friday 03/04/2020 at 11.45 pm AEST) and Assessment 1.2 (project proposal) is due in WEEK 6 (Friday, 24/04/2020 at 11.45 pm AEST)
Results and feedback will be available in Moodle approximately within 10 business days (2 weeks, excluding university vacation).
As a Masters-level student, you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered. Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice", and demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”.
Each unit in your Masters program has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF. In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications, and as a Masters student, demonstrate an ability to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies that demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research. This is an advanced level course, and accrediting bodies are also looking for evidence of independent research, so the ability to conduct this project without continually relying on your tutors and lecturers is an important part of the learning process for this unit.
You should ensure that you understand the specific research that is required for each assessment piece and recognise that if you merely meet this minimum requirement, you will receive the minimum grade for demonstrated research.
Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE. A full list of references must be submitted as part of the assessment. Your assignment will be marked on the following criteria; detailed marking rubrics are available in Moodle:
Assessment 1.1 | Assessment 1.2 |
|
|
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of current issues in your profession
- Apply the skills and knowledge gained from other subjects to identify and successfully investigate a complex problem relevant to your profession
- Critically review current relevant literature to inform your project’s aims and approach
- Apply research skills to identify, collect and analyse suitable secondary data relevant to your chosen problem
2 Research Assignment
This is an individual, written assessment, to be completed in professional report format. You are required to write around 3,000 words (+/- 10%), excluding preliminaries, tables, figures, reference list and appendices. The report requires in-text referencing and a full reference list in APA style, with evidence that you have critically read and integrated a minimum of 20 suitable scholarly references. The purpose of this assessment is to present the final report of the Professional Project you proposed in Assignment 1. This report should build upon both components of your Assessment 1 and it should be developed with the help of the tutor/co-ordinator feedback.
In order to successfully complete Assessment 2, you are required to carry out the investigation you have proposed in Assessment 1 and produce a professional research report that shows that you have followed through from finding a research question to answering that question and developing recommendations that arise from your findings. The report will follow the typical structure of a research report and will need to include the following:
- Title page (with a clear project title), executive summary, table of contents
- Introduction, including: background, problem statement, justification of the need for the project, and research question(s)
- Critical literature review
- Research methodology, including: transparent presentation of data source(s), and how you collected and analysed the data
- Findings from your secondary data analysis
- Discussion of findings in light of your previously reviewed literature
- Conclusion, including: answering your research question(s), recommendations and limitations
- Reference list
- Appendices
Note: Appendices are optional and should be used for supplementary material only. You must use common font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman) with font size 11 or 12, as well as appropriate margins and spacing.
Assessment 2 is due in WEEK 12 (Friday, 05/06/2020 at 11.45 pm AEST)
Results and feedback will be available in Moodle on certification day.
As a Masters-level student, you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered. Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice, and demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”.
Each unit in your postgraduate course has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF. In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications, and as a Masters student, indicate a willingness to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies that demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research. This is an advanced level course, and accrediting bodies are also looking for evidence of independent research, so the ability to conduct this project without continually relying on your tutors and lecturers is an important part of the learning process for this unit.
Students should insure that they understand the specific research that is required for each assessment piece and recognise that if they meet this minimum requirement, you will receive the minimum grade for demonstrated research.
Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE. A full list of references must be submitted as part of the assessment. Your assignment will be marked on the following criteria (a rubric is available in Moodle):
- Introduction (5%)
- Critical literature review (15%)
- Research methodology (15%)
- Findings from your secondary data analysis (20%)
- Discussion of findings in light of previously reviewed literature (20%)
- Conclusion (5%)
- Professional written communication (10%)
- Quality and appropriateness of references, and accuracy of referencing (10%)
Late submission and academic misconduct penalties will be applied in accordance with the university policies.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of current issues in your profession
- Apply the skills and knowledge gained from other subjects to identify and successfully investigate a complex problem relevant to your profession
- Critically review current relevant literature to inform your project’s aims and approach
- Apply research skills to identify, collect and analyse suitable secondary data relevant to your chosen problem
- Synthesise literature and data to develop critical discussion and appropriate conclusions
- Communicate key findings in a scholarly manner and outline recommendations for your profession and further research.
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.