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

As you commence your postgraduate research degree, this unit plays a key role in introducing you to appropriate forms of enquiry for your own research, and providing you with the philosophies, frameworks, methodologies and protocols for planning, implementing and evaluating that research within a Design and Creative Industries context.

Aims

This unit provides theoretical and practical grounding in the latest innovative and interdisciplinary research methodologies, tools and analyses, allowing you to develop advanced knowledge and skills of diverse research approaches and critical research issues that are relevant to your own specific area of research focus.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles, paradigms and methodologies involved in research in Design and the Creature Industries;
2. Construct and deliver a presentation that outlines your research, developing effective verbal communication skills to explain your research topic/question, relevant literature, research approach and proposed methodology.
3. Understand and apply advanced information retrieval and literature reviewing skills;
4. Display critical and reflective thought through written communication, clearly understanding and articulating the specific issues associated with your research.

Content

This unit offers theoretical grounding in the latest innovative research methodologies, tools and analyses, allowing you to develop advanced knowledge and skills relevant to your own specific area of research focus. You are connected to other researchers in the Creative Industries and exposed to a range of interdisciplinary qualitative and quantitative methodologies.This unit addresses content such as:

1. Research Fundamentals and Core Issues (what is research? what am I researching? how do I design, conduct and present my research?; why is publishing important?);
2. Research Protocols (ethics, plagiarism, copyright & IP)
3. Research Skills in Information Retrieval and Writing (reflective, written and information-retrieval skills for being a successful researcher)
4. Research Methodologies and Approaches (suited to your research area of thesis-based, practice-led or industry-embedded research)

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

In this unit, you will join research students from across postgraduate courses in the Creative Industries and be exposed to the latest innovative and interdisciplinary research approaches, methodologies, tools and analyses through lectures. The needs of your particular research area are addressed through presentations and tutorials that focus on thesis-based, practice-led or industry-embeded research approaches. The unit is delivered via lectures (flexible delivery), workshop-based tutorials and self-directed study, with AIRS (Advanced Information Retrieval Skills) delivered on campus or on-line through QUT Library.

Assessment

Your performance in the unit will be assessed through assignments due at specified times in the semester. The assignments will contribute to the overall summative grade for the unit.Assessment will be formative, through an emphasis on constructive and progressive feedback using a criterion referencing approach.

Assessment name: Research Proposal Presentation
Description: A short oral presentation (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes question time), in which you introduce your research topic/question, relevant literature (background, context, sources), research approach and timeline (activities, budget, ethical), proposed methodology, data collection process and analysis plan.

NOTE: Your supervisors are invited to attend your oral presentation. They will provide written formative feedback against the criteria, but they will not award a grade - your tutor awards the grade.
Relates to objectives: 1,2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: A paper (3,000 words) with topic to be selected in consultation with unit coordinator. The topic will critically address an area directly relevant to your research project such as a particular research strategy, a literature or contextual review, or a theoretical discussion of a conceptual framework related to your study.

NOTE: Doctoral students are typically expected to submit their Stage 2 for this assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1,3,4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late Semester

Assessment name: AIRS
Description: Completion of IFN001 Advanced Information Retrieval Skills unit delivered through the Library. AIRS will be assessed through QUT Library (65% is required for a satisfactory grade).
Relates to objectives: 3
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

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

There is no textbook required for this unit, due to the breadth of content covered and the extent of material available. However, it is important to note that the readings for each lecture are highly recommended and should be completed prior to the lecture - these readings will help you a great deal with understanding the content of lectures and with your assessments. Please do the readings before each week's lecture. Key journal articles are placed on the unit's BLACKBOARD site; this will be continuously updated during the semester. In addition, QUT holds a number of research and design related texts.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks for this unit.

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: 07-Aug-2012