Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The dissertation provides you with an opportunity to formally extend and synthesise knowledge gained across your Honours course. The study undertaken in your honours will be an independent piece of research completed under the guidance of your supervisor. Your research may involve gathering and analysing original data or critically reviewing existing information.

Aims

This unit undertaken in four parts aims to develop your ability to design, conduct and report upon a relevant ethical and achievable research project in your chosen field of specialisation.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. develop a critical working knowledge of existing literature relevant to a topic;


2. develop a conceptual understanding of a problem area, hypothesis or research question at a critical and intellectual level;


3. design an appropriate and robust research methodology including the judicious selection of research methods;


4. apply relevant data collection and analysis methods, techniques and procedures, including attention to the ethical and social responsibilities pertinent to conducting and reporting your research;


5. interpret the results of your research in ways that demonstrate competence, insight and the development of new and relevant information


6. communicate effectively and present your research outcomes with respect not only to correct oral and written usage of the English language but also appropriate organisation and presentation of your research report.

Content

Preparation and submission of the dissertation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You should meet regularly with your supervisor and present regular drafts to your supervisor by mutual arrangement to the supervisor.

Assessment

It is important that you discuss with your supervisor whether you need to apply for clearance for your project. Further information, including Faculty contacts, are available via the Research Ethics section at http://www.research.qut.edu.au/ethics/

Assessment name: Dissertation Proposal
Description: A written report in the form of a dissertation proposal of no more then 4,000 words must be submitted by the end of Week 6 in the semester in which enrolment in the dissertation commences.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk6(1stEnrolled Sem)

Assessment name: Final Dissertation
Description: (approximately 15,000 - 20,000 words)

The submission of the dissertation is due at the end of Week 13 in the final semester. Late submission without an approved extension may incur a penalty (refer Faculty of Health Honours Policy).

Assessment criteria

Your dissertation will be assessed upon the extent to which it meets the following criteria:

1. evidence of a critical working knowledge of existing literature relevant to a topic


2. a conceptual understanding of a problem area, hypothesis or research question at a critical and intellectual level


3. an appropriate and robust research methodology including the judicious selection of research methods


4. relevant data collection and analysis methods, techniques and procedures, including attention to the ethical and social responsibilities pertinent to conducting and reporting your research


5. interpretation of results demonstrate competence, insight and the development of new and relevant information


6. ability to communicate effectively and present research outcomes with respect not only to correct oral and written usage of the English language but also appropriate organisation and presentation of the research report

Relates to objectives: 1-6
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk13(Final Semester)

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

As individually prescribed for each student. You might also find the following references useful:

Anderson, J.& Poole, M. (1994). Thesis and Assignment Writing (2nd ed.). Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons.

Barzun, J. & Graff, H.F. (2004). The Modern Researcher (6th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Brown, S., McDowell, L. & Race, P. (1995). 500 tips for research students. London: Kogan Page.

Calabrese, R.L. (2006). The elements of an effective dissertation and thesis: a step-by-step guide to getting it right the first time. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Evans, D. (2002). How to write a better thesis (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Melbourne University Press.

Glatthorn, A.A. & Joyner, R.L. (2005). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: a step-by-step guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Mauch, J.E. & Birch, J.W. (1998). Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation: a handbook for students and faculty (4th ed.). New York: M. Dekker.

Meloy, J.M. (1994). Writing the qualitative dissertation: understanding by doing. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Murray, R. (2002). How to write a thesis. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.

Slade, C. (2000). Form and style: research papers, reports, theses (11th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Teitelbaum, H. (1998). How to write a thesis (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan.

Webster, W.G. (1998). Developing and writing your thesis, dissertation or project: a book of sound advice about conceptualizing, organizing, developing and finalizing your terminal graduate research. San Ramon, CA: Academic Scholarwrite.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 13-Sep-2012