Step 2, worth 25% of total unit marks: Project proposal.
For this assignment, due at the end of week 6, you will be asked to use the feedback from step 1 to prepare a proposal detailing your proposed project. The proposal is to be written in professional report format and contains the following:
a short, preliminary literature review that places your project within the context of your profession;
a focused research aim, and at least one research question; and
a research plan, including: an overview of your proposed methods of data collection and data analysis; Gantt chart schedule; and clear presentation of data sources.
The required length for this report is 1,750 words (+/- 10%), excluding preliminaries, reference list and appendices. You are required to include at least 10 suitable high-quality peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles.
Assessment Due Date
Assessment 1.1 (single-page project plan) is due in WEEK 4 (Tuesday, 25/11/17 at 11.45am AEST) and Assessment 1.2 (project proposal) is due in WEEK 6 (Friday, 19/12/17 at 11.45am AEST)
Weighting
40%
Assessment Criteria
As a Masters-level student, you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered. Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice”, and demonstrate “knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”.
Each unit in your Masters program has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF. In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications, and as a Masters student, demonstrate an ability to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies that demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research. This is an advanced level course, and accrediting bodies are also looking for evidence of independent research, so the ability to conduct this project without continually relying on your tutors and lecturers is an important part of the learning process for this unit.
You should ensure that you understand the specific research that is required for each assessment piece and recognise that if you merely meet this minimum requirement, you will receive the minimum grade for demonstrated research.
Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE. A full list of references must be submitted as part of the assessment.
Your assignment will be marked on the following criteria; a detailed marking rubric is available in Moodle:
Clarity and suitability of statement of ‘field of research’
Suitability of data sources
Search terms
Ability to integrate sources into academic writing
Professional presentation and accuracy of work
Quality and appropriateness of references, and accuracy of referencing
Feasibility of project within time-frame
Aim and objectives/research questions
Preliminary critical literature review
Organisation of the project
Written communication