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Advanced Research 2

Unit code: INN606
Contact hours:
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

The aim of this unit is to broaden your understanding of potential research topics and methods and support you in developing essential skills that enable clarity and focus in investigating IT research; rigour in evaluating claims and accuracy in your understanding of domain problems, related theories and methodologies appropriate to your specialist area.


Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes
2013 Semester 2 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

The clarity and organisation that you bring to your research is a key factor in its success. These essential skills are only developed through repeated experience and exposure to the work of research leaders in your field. This unit provides a research incubator in which you can develop and extend these essential skills through such challenges and interactions. By focusing on bounded research problems under the guidance of an experienced supervisor, you will create a strong basis on which to develop more significant and large-scale research projects.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to allow you to safely explore the problem space, or associated issues, in which you are intending to research and refine ideas in preparation to commence later study. You will be guided in the development of a project specification under the supervision of an experienced researcher. By the end of the unit you will create, present and defend a final research report that demonstrates your level of understanding and practical application of research methods appropriate to your domain. You may be encouraged to undertake more that one Advanced Research Project.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Adequately identify problems & determine techniques to progress research objectives
  2. Prepare and Communicate the specification through clear, readable documentation that can be reflected upon by mentors so that they might assist you in the goals of your research
  3. Produce, present and defend a research project report that provides a well-reasoned, feasible and achievable set of objectives to an audience of researchers and peers

Content

You may pursue a specialised area or broaden your knowledge in an area that is relevant to your future research or employment. The topic is decided by agreement between you and your supervisor or supervision team.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will liaise closely throughout the unit with your supervisor or supervisory team. Guidelines for proposal and report preparation will be formulated and then followed through discussion with supervisors at regular meetings. An appropriate meeting schedule will be negotiated with your supervisor with set deadlines for intermediate steps in producing your research project report and preparing for your oral presentation.

PLEASE NOTE

It is your responsibility to ensure that a staff member is willing to be your supervisor before enrolling in this unit. You must complete an initial project proposal and plan in the first three weeks of semester. This document is to be submitted to the unit coordinator.

Assessment

The following assessment details are guidelines only. Your supervisor will confirm assessment details with you on commencement of the unit.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

  • Your supervisor or supervision team is to give advice and assistance during regular meetings during the semester.

    Assessment name: Report
    Description: Scope of the research project
    Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
    Weight: 15%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 13

    Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
    Description: Oral presentation of the paper and its defence
    Relates to objectives: 3
    Weight: 25%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 13

    Assessment name: Research Paper
    Description: Research Project Report
    Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3
    Weight: 60%
    Internal or external: External
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Exam period

    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

    No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

    Resource materials for this unit are research project dependant.

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    Risk assessment statement

    Project work can sometimes involve site visits to commercial or industrial premises. When you visit such premises, you are responsible for acquainting yourself with any Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable to visitors (e.g. wearing of protective clothing such as hard hats, safety glasses, etc), and for observing those procedures. You are also responsible for notifying workplace supervisors of any health condition you have (e.g. asthma) which may place you at risk in some commercial or industrial situations. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas and laboratories.

    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: 26-Jun-2012