Overview
Prepare for Confirmation has been designed specifically for students enrolled in a Research Higher Degree at either Masters or Doctoral level. This unit will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to clarify the research design of your proposed research project regardless of your discipline area. You will be guided through research terminology, writing at a thesis-level and the steps required in the construction of a research proposal. The unit has four assessments that will scaffold you through the process of writing Section A of the Confirmation of Candidature portfolio submission.
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 3 - 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 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 feedback
Good alignment of content to CoC preparation
To maintain the close "fit" of the course materials with teaching delivery focused on the stages of preparing the draft CoC document.
Feedback from Student feedback
There was always timely response to students queries
To continue with group and individual emails in response to student queries
Feedback from Course coordinator reflection
Timing of assignment submission
Some students find the timing of submission stressful however once they have an understanding of the importance of meeting deadlines this is less problematic. A more individualised timing of the assessment submission across the course could be trialed.
Feedback from Dean of School
Current teaching and learning delivery strategies
The current course content and delivery is working well however to cater for both part time and full time students a separate timetable of tutorial content delivery could be trialed.
Feedback from Student feedback
Involvement of supervisors with the development of assessment content
A reminder to supervisors at the start of each term will be sent outlining the expectations and commitment required from supervisors to support their postgraduate student during the course.
- Write using the language of research
- Construct a Literature Review by critically analysing and synthesising references that have been located manually and/or electronically from a variety of sources
- Critique a range of research approaches and paradigms that guide the systematic approach to conducting a research project
- Integrate theory into the design of a research project
- Apply critical and analytical skills and academic standards to research project design and thesis writing
- Evaluate data collection and analysis methods
- Create a research proposal.
None to note.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Annotated bibliography - 0% | |||||||
| 2 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 0% | |||||||
| 3 - Research Assignment - 0% | |||||||
| 4 - Research Proposal - 0% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 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 - Annotated bibliography - 0% | ||||||||
| 2 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 0% | ||||||||
| 3 - Research Assignment - 0% | ||||||||
| 4 - Research Proposal - 0% | ||||||||
Textbooks
The essential guide to doing your research project
Edition: 3rd (2017)
Authors: Zina O'Leary
Sage
Melbourne Melbourne , VIC , Australia
ISBN: 978-1-4739-5208-9
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
This book is available via the CQU library and also available as an e-book
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.moore@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1: Communication and the language of research
Chapter
Chapter 1 & 2, plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2: Ethics and academic integrity
Topic 3: Information literacy and role of literature
Chapter
Chapter 4 & 6, plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4: Using literature to determine gaps in research
Topic 5: Research design - aim and objectives to fit research questions
Chapter
Chapter 3 & 6, plus unit readings
Chapter 3 & 5, plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6: Research design - making it practical
Topic 7: Data management collection and analysis methods
Chapter
Chapter 8 & 9 plus unit readings
Chapter 13 & 14 & 5 plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic: Discussion of projects Q & A session
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8: Positioning your research and theory
Topic 9: Crafting the research proposal
Chapter
Chapter 11 & 12 plus unit readings
Chapter 15 plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic: Discussion of projects Q & A sessions
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10: Project management - outlining Part B of the CoC document
Chapter
Chapter 16 plus unit readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 11: Bringing it all together
Work on Confirmation of Candidature (Part A)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
During the third term we are running intensive mode teaching. This means that all content is delivered prior to the Christmas break. A project discussion session is scheduled for Monday 7th Dec and again on Monday 21st Dec. These are question/answer/discussion sessions that are not recorded. These sessions are for individual questions and general discussion about projects. As all content is delivered prior to the Christmas break there are no classes during the Christmas break / closure and January. Online classes resume in February (Monday 1st Feb 2021) and cover the last two weeks of term three. Online tutorials will occur twice a week during this pre-Christmas period to cover content and enable discussion.
During this term as all "content" is delivered prior to the Christmas closure you are able to upload assignments earlier than the due dates. There are still due dates indicating the latest date that assignments need to be uploaded for marking purposes. Please see schedule for due dates. The final assignment is not due until week 12; previous assignments will have been returned before that date so that feedback from previous assignments can be available as you prepare the final assignment.
1 Annotated bibliography
For this task you are required to prepare an annotated bibliography of three (3) journal articles closely related to your proposed research project. Note: The annotations are not simply a review of the content of the reference. Each annotation needs to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate and analyse the literature and relate its relevance to your proposed research project. A brief description of the author/s credentials is also required.
For further task details please review the assessment area of the moodle site
Week 2 Monday (16 Nov 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments will be returned as soon as they are graded
The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the moodle unit website
Overview of assessment criteria
- introduction is provided that contextualizes the selection of literature to the proposed research project
- full citation with correct referencing style
- evaluation of author/s credentials
- clear and concise summary of each reference
- linkage of each annotation to the proposed research topic
- critical analysis of each annotation
- clear, concise academic writing
- correct spelling an grammar
- Write using the language of research
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
2 Literature Review or Systematic Review
For this task you are required to present an initial literature review, the content of which is a pre-cursor to what you intend to submit in the Literature Review section of your final assessment. It should document the connections you have made between the source texts that you draw upon and where you position your research among the extant literature. It should demonstrate to the reader that you have engaged with, understood and responded to the relevant body of knowledge underpinning your proposed research project. The Literature Review should summarize, critically evaluate, synthesize, and clearly link the literature to your proposed project.
For this assessment it is suggested that you focus upon one aspect of the Literature Review, that is:
- Use the literature to support the identification of your research problem and use it to highlight the gap in the existing research that needs to be filled;
For further task details please review the assessment area of the moodle site
Week 5 Monday (14 Dec 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 (14/12/2020)
Assignments will be returned in order of marking. If a Fail grade is awarded students are able to resubmit once more within 7 days
- introduction described the purpose of the review and links review ti the proposed research project
- provided the context for selection of literature and a clear description of the search criteria
- synthesized literature into relevant themes with each theme linked to proposed research topic
- critical analysis of the reviewed literature
- conclusion that summed up the major contributions of the literature and clearly identified the significance of the literature to the research proposal
- correct layout of a literature review
- used a relevant and consistent referencing style
- correct spelling and grammar
- Construct a Literature Review by critically analysing and synthesising references that have been located manually and/or electronically from a variety of sources
- Critique a range of research approaches and paradigms that guide the systematic approach to conducting a research project
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
3 Research Assignment
For this task you are required to provide an overview of your research design that identifies the research paradigm, methodology, design and subsequent research methods (to be used for data collection and/or data analysis) intended for use in your proposed research project. Your choice of research design should build on the research paradigms, approaches or methodology discussed in the unit materials. The overall research strategy that you will employ to integrate the various components of the proposed research project needs to be in a logical and coherent order and must include a statement addressing the aim/s, objectives, the research question/s and/or hypothesis of the project.
For further task details please review the assessment area of the moodle site
Week 8 Monday (11 Jan 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments will be returned in order of marking. If a Fail grade is awarded students are able to resubmit once more within 7 days
The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the moodle unit website
Overview of the assessment criteria
- a clear description of the research project with statement of aim/s and objectives
- appropriateness of the research question/s and /or hypothesis to the proposed project
- the link between the research topic and proposed project design, including methodology, methods /techniques
- analysis and justification of the methodology and methods
- conclusion accurately summing up the research design
- relevant and consistent referencing style
- academic writing style suitable for a RHD thesis
- correct spelling and grammar
- Integrate theory into the design of a research project
- Apply critical and analytical skills and academic standards to research project design and thesis writing
- Evaluate data collection and analysis methods
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
4 Research Proposal
For this task you are required to construct a draft copy of Section A of your CoC submission. It aligns with the requirements of the CoC Submission described in the Confirmation of Candidature Procedure. To construct this assessment, you should draw upon work undertaken in previous Assessment items in this unit (RSCH20001).
The draft Confirmation of Candidature document (section A) should be between 5,000 - 10,000 words and contain the following structure:
- thesis title (no more than 25 words that are descriptive and unambiguous
- thesis abstract (no more than 250 words)
- table of contents
- introduction
- statement of aim/s, objectives, research question/s and/or hypothesis
- literature review containing an appropriate analytical framework (systematic, meta-analysis, integrative, critical review)
- contribution to the field (significance of the proposed research)
- the research design containing research paradigm, methodological approach, methods of data collection and initial analysis
- thesis plan (outlining proposed chapters and possible publication)
- conclusion
- references
For further task details please review the assessment area of the moodle site
Week 12 Monday (8 Feb 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Please note that extensions will not be approved unless there are extenuating circumstances supported by a medical certificate. Any late submissions will result in a "Fail" grade for this assessment. Unfortunately as per the Higher Education Assessment Policy this also means a grade of Fail for the course.
Assignments will be uploaded once marking and moderation is complete
The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the moodle unit website
Overview of the assessment criteria
- abstract accurately summarizes the proposed research project
- table of contents wit correct headings and sub-headings
- introduction clearly introduces the study
- realistic aim/s and objectives that link to anticipated outcomes
- research question/s and/or hypothesis that address the research problem
- critical analysis of the literature
- accurate statement of proposed contribution to the field
- the research design is clearly articulated and justified
- appropriateness of the research design to the project
- realistic thesis plan
- conclusion summarizing the main points of the research design
- correct formatting and layout
- written in an academic style suitable for a thesis document
- correct spelling and grammar
- Write using the language of research
- Construct a Literature Review by critically analysing and synthesising references that have been located manually and/or electronically from a variety of sources
- Critique a range of research approaches and paradigms that guide the systematic approach to conducting a research project
- Integrate theory into the design of a research project
- Apply critical and analytical skills and academic standards to research project design and thesis writing
- Evaluate data collection and analysis methods
- Create a research proposal.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
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?
