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 2 - 2022
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
Need to learn more about how to use data bases for literature search
Assignment one changed to ‘Literature search strategy’ and students required to organise an appointment with a librarian to discuss methods to search for literature on their chosen topic.
Feedback from Student feedback
Need to learn about analysing qualitative data
Include more information and guidance on research using qualitative data including how to conduct a thematic analysis
Feedback from Student feedback
It would be helpful to have all the assessment information in a downloadable PDF format
Include complete information on assessment items into the unit profile as well as on the Moodle site
Feedback from Student feedback
Upload videos to on place every week instead of under the weekly material
Provide a folder on the Moodle site that contains all weekly recorded sessions as well as uploading the videos under the weekly material
- 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
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
No referencing style set.
c.bookallil@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The language of research and literature search strategies
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 1 & 2
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Academic standards and integrity, library skills
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 4 & 6
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Doing the literature review
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 3 & 6
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Establishing a research question
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 3 & 7
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The role of theory
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 8, 9, & 10
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Research design
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 8, 9, & 10
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Research design
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 5 & 7
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Data collection
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 11 & 12
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Types of data to suit your research question/s
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 12, 13 & 14
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Data handling and initial analysis
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 15 & 16
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Crafting the proposal document
Chapter
O'Leary (2021) chapters 5 & 7
Plus embedded readings on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review of unit material and final assignment
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Annotated bibliography
Prepare a literature review framework (~1000 words) that defines the scope of your literature search and provides a clear description of the criteria used to select literature relevant to your area of research. Explain the criteria for selecting the literature, search engines used, journals searched, search terms used, date range, inclusion/exclusion criteria. Develop a diagram showing how the search was conducted and the number of articles it returned. It would be expected that the literature sourced for this assignment would be relevant to assessment items 2, 3 and 4 in this unit. You can choose any standard referencing style, but it must be consistent throughout the entire assignment. Check with your Research Supervisor(s) about which referencing style you should be using for your thesis. Gaining the assistance of CQU Library staff is recommended for this assignment.
Week 2 Friday (22 July 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments are returned in order of marking
Overview of the assessment criteria
- introduction provided the context for selecting the references
- referencing style for thesis is documented and justified
- search terms clearly relevant to the proposed research project;
- clear, concise academic writing;
- correct spelling and grammar.
It will be assessed as Satisfactory or Resubmit. Re-submission is due within seven days
- 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
You are required to write an initial literature review focusing on previous research related to your proposed study. Use the literature to support the identification of your research problem and to highlight the gap in the existing research that needs to be filled. 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. This initial literature review is more than just documenting relevant information, and it should go beyond being a descriptive annotated bibliography. The initial literature review should summarise, critically evaluate, synthesise, and clearly link the literature to your proposed project.
Week 5 Friday (12 Aug 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments will be returned in the order of marking
The initial literature review must not simply be a review of the content of the references. You need to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate and analyse the literature and explain how it is relevant to your proposed research topic. It should go beyond being a descriptive annotated bibliography. It should synthesise the literature into themes.
Overview of the assessment criteria
- introduction described the purpose of the literature review and linked the literature review to the proposed research project
- provided the context for selecting the references and a clear description of the criteria used to select the literature
- used clear, concise academic writing
- synthesised the literature into themes and linked each theme to your proposed research topic
- critical analysis of the references
- conclusion summed up the major contributions of the literature and clearly identified the significance of the literature to your proposed research topic
- correct layout for a literature review
- used an appropriate referencing style
- used a formatting style consistent with referencing style
- correct spelling and grammar.
It will be assessed as Satisfactory or Resubmit. Re-submission is due within seven days
- 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
This assessment item requires you to build on the research foundations, research processes, research methods and practices that you have explored in this unit. It is expected that by this time you will have a clearly defined research project in consultation with your research supervisor(s). Guided by theory and your examination of the research methodologies, you should be able to formulate a research design for your proposed research project. This assignment has two parts:
In Part Two of this assignment you need to outline the overall research strategy that you will employ to integrate the various components of your proposed research project in a logical and coherent manner. The research design must ensure that you will effectively address the research problem you have identified. It must include the research aims and objectives, the research questions and/or hypotheses you propose to answer, and the research paradigm, methodology, research methods and techniques you intend to use to collect and analyse data for your proposed research project. If your project involves animals and/or human participants please address the ethical statement.
Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments will be marked in order of submission and returned in order of marking
The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the Moodle unit website.
Overview of the assessment criteria:
- a clear outline of your proposed research project, aims and objectives;
- appropriateness of your research questions and/or hypotheses;
- the linkage between the proposed research topic and the research design, methodology and
- methods/techniques;
- analysis and justification of research methods/techniques;
- justification of the suitability of the methods/techniques to the proposed research project;
- conclusion accurately sums up your research design;
- used an appropriate referencing style;
- academic writing style suitable to an RHD thesis;
- statement regarding supervision meetings and focus;
- correct spelling and grammar.
It will be assessed as Satisfactory or Resubmit. Re-submission is due within seven days
- 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
This final assessment has been designed to help you to construct 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 draw upon work undertaken in previous Assessment items in this unit (RSCH20001).
It should be noted that a Pass result in RSCH20001 does not imply that you will pass your Confirmation of Candidature. The grade awarded in RSCH20001 reflects your ability to meet the learning outcomes, which includes generic skills such as communication and analytical skills. It will be assessed by someone who is typically not a content expert in your field. By contrast, the Confirmation of Candidature document will be assessed against the expectations of a masters or doctoral degree, according to the conventions in your discipline area, and according to the judgement of two experts from the field.
Please note that your final Confirmation of Candidature submission document will need to comply with CQUniversity’s Confirmation of Candidature Procedure which has a Section A and a Section B. Section A only is required for this assessment. When completing your CoC submission you need to ensure that you have fulfilled ALL the requirements outlined in the Confirmation of Candidature Procedure.
The format of this assessment will be dependent on both the level of the degree in which you are enrolled (Masters by coursework, Masters by research, Professional Doctorate, or Doctor of Philosophy), and the discipline area of the proposed research project (discipline areas may have specific requirements imposed on their students). You need to consult with your Research Supervisors and Unit Coordinator if you are unsure. You should also consult the University policy regarding the requirements for candidature of the degree in which you are enrolled. See Research Higher Degree Course Rules Policy and Procedure.
Your assessment should provide a rationale for the proposed investigation. It should also justify your choice of research design and selection of research methodology and associated methods. You need to include a comprehensive literature review of previous studies pertinent to your proposed research project and a plan of your thesis (chapter outline). You are strongly encouraged to frequently discuss issues encountered during the development of your assessment submission with your Research Supervisors and/or the Unit Coordinator.
Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Assignments will be marked in order of submission and returned in order of marking
The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the Moodle unit website.
Overview of assessment criteria:
- the abstract accurately summarises the proposed research project;
- the table of contents contains the main headings and sub-headings;
- the introduction clearly introduces the proposed research project;
- realistic aims and objectives that link to your anticipated outcomes;
- research questions and/or hypotheses that address the research problem;
- critical analysis of the literature;
- an accurate statement of the proposed contribution to the field of research;
- the research design is clearly articulated and justified;
- the appropriateness of the research design/methodology, methods;
- realistic thesis plan;
- the conclusion summarises the main points of the research design;
- use of an appropriate referencing style;
- correct formatting and layout (including the Title Page and electronically generated Table of Contents);
- written in an academic style, correct spelling and grammar.
It will be assessed as Satisfactory (Pass) or Unsatisfactory (Fail).
- 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.