Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Research Management is an increasingly specialised and complex professional field involving both values-based strategic decision-making and a plethora of inter-related compliance, governance and administrative functions. Research Management takes place in both public and private sector contexts, and facilitates delivery of economic, social and cultural benefits expected of research.
This unit, the first of two, deals with a number of the key foundational principles and practices which are part of a research manager's activity.

Aims

This unit aims to develop advanced understanding of a range of key operations, and conceptual and policy frameworks and the complex compliance and developmental issues involved in the field of research management. In exploring these frameworks and issues, the unit will encourage analysis of the human factors in research organisations and will examine the data management systems and other technologies which underpin the operation of a typical research services unit.

Objectives

On completion of the unit, you will:
a) have an advanced understanding of, and ability to analyse issues related to:
· Multi-partner research collaboration
· Managing research ethics
· Managing the research funding process
· Issues in research training
· Issues in research dissemination

b) have developed at least foundational skill in a range of the complex functions of a typical research services unit e.g.
· funding application assessment
· ethics application approval
· research publication assessment
· PhD scholarship assessment

Content

This unit allows you to engage with the following content areas, to extend your understanding of these key domains of research management activity and to develop early stage skills in some of the research management tasks which apply to them.

· Issues in multi-partner research collaboration
Perspectives on personal and organisation drivers
Teamwork across boundaries (e.g. disciplines, methods, work approaches)
Stakeholder management

· Managing Research ethics
Recognising ethical issues
Analytical tools to help make ethical decisions
Case studies
Ethics approval process

· Managing the research funding process
Initiation - funding models (public/private), funding sources and cycles, effective funding proposals (scientific merit, problem definition, fully-costed budgets, risk mitigation)
Project life cycle from contract to completion - milestone management
Acquittal and evaluation

· Issues in research training
The context of research training
What is Good Supervision
Procedures and regulations

· Issues in research dissemination
Publish or patent
Open repositories and other emerging issues

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The design of the unit encourages active learning through online collaboration. While the unit moderator (teacher) provides expert content input and guides your learning, the peer learning opportunities are equally important, as the class group will include a significant cohort of practicing research management professionals. You will participate and interact in the online learning environment provided by this unit in a variety of ways, including:

a) Reading and responding analytically to online content, including completion of online quizzes

b) Participating critically in online interactions such as forums and chat sessions

c) Engaging in formal assessment tasks (reading, reflecting, responding, writing, discussing)
The emphasis in formal assessment tasks will be on extending your conceptual reach through your own experience and knowledge, and to facilitate this, opportunity will be provided for workplace-based assessment tasks and workplace-relevant modes (e.g. case studies, project reports, project plans, presentations).

Opportunities will be provided for formation of groups and for participation in externally provided expert workshops, seminars and information sessions.

Assessment name: Forum and Journal Contribution
Description: You are required to contribute analytical comments weekly to the Online Forums (in response to weekly stimulus questions or responses to designated key reading) and also to a Personal Journal (online blog), as a record of personal reflections on your progress through the unit, and to demonstrate the development of advanced understandings, and issues analysis.
Relates to objectives: Objectives 3a and 3b.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Short answer test
Description: You are required to complete two short-answer tests at regular intervals to demonstrate advanced understanding of complex R&D operations, conceptual and policy frameworks.
Relates to objectives: Objectives 3a and 3b.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 4 and 9

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: You are required to develop a 2500 word research management plan, using a supplied scenario, in the final stage of the unit. This document will allow for demonstration of the capacity to synthesise the understandings and skills developed in the unit through in depth treatment of research collaboration and funding and at least one other key content domain in the context of a case study organisation.

You will have the opportunity to submit a concept draft of the assignment for formative feedback if requested.
Relates to objectives: Objectives 3a and 3b.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of unit

Assessment name: Formative assessment
Description: The unit moderator will be able to respond to email enquiries throughout the unit, s/he will provide written feedback on short answer tests within one week of completion and you will also have the opportunity to participate in online chat sessions. Together, these provide for ongoing evaluation of your progress towards meeting the objectives of the unit, for example through moderator and peer feedback on forum and journal posting, and also an assignment draft.
Relates to objectives: Objectives 3a and 3b.
Internal or external: External
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

The key resource is the unit website. Reference materials are provided online in the unit's 'Resources' section and throughout the body of the website. They include:
· Documents for download
· Links to the offsite websites and web pages

You will also have access to:
· An online chat facility
· A personal journal/blog site
· Online discussion forums

The resources are identified in relation particularly to the topics covered on a weekly basis, as described in the semester calendar for the unit to be provided to students in week one.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks, other than those relating to the functioning of the internet and the provision of QUT systems access to the website for enrolled students.

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: 06-Mar-2013