Research Fundamentals PG (10386)

Available teaching periods	Delivery mode	Location
View teaching periods	Intensive Hybrid	Bruce, Canberra Singapore
0.25	6	Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Canberra Business School	Post Graduate Level	Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)

Introduction

This unit provides a critical assessment of the role(s), nature, values and assumptions underlying research in business and social science. In particular, this unit develops a deep understanding of the epistemological and ontological bases for research, as well as an understanding of the practical and/or theoretical knowledge their thesis will add to the field. At the conclusion of the unit, candidates will be comfortable situating their research project within existing research traditions, evaluating differences between research traditions including Indigenous ways of knowing, and will have developed competence in research integrity and ethical frameworks. These frameworks will include the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The unit also draws upon the 91Porn's Researcher Development Skills Framework.

Learning outcomes

The outcome of any unit for individual students is contingent upon what each student brings to class and the amount of energy and effort they deploy. However, a student who engages in all class activities with diligence can expect to be able to:
1. Critically evaluate a variety of theoretical perspectives on the nature of research and its role(s) in society including an appreciation for and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural competencies;
2. Critically evaluate the epistemological and ontological underpinnings of research;
3. Evaluate the ethical consequences of research choices and their impact on the role of the researcher;
4. Demonstrate a critical appreciation for the historical, social and political contexts of research choices and recognise the implications of research values; and
5. Illustrate the ability to write effectively in academic English by appropriately communicating complex research concepts and ideas.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

6647 Research Methodology and Research Design PG

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.

Availability

Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.

Year	Location	Teaching period	Teaching start date	Delivery mode	Unit convener
2024	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 1	05 February 2024	Intensive	Dr David Carter
2024	Singapore	Semester 1	05 February 2024	Intensive	Dr David Carter
2024	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 2	29 July 2024	Intensive	Dr David Carter
2024	Singapore	Semester 2	29 July 2024	Intensive	Dr David Carter
2025	Singapore	Semester 1	03 February 2025	Hybrid	Dr David Carter
2025	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 1	03 February 2025	Hybrid	Dr David Carter
2025	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 2	28 July 2025	Hybrid	Dr David Carter
2025	Singapore	Semester 2	28 July 2025	Hybrid	Dr David Carter

Timetable

The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Resources

Required texts

There is no required textbook for this unit, but you are likely to need to consult with many different sources (texts, research books, journal articles). We will discuss the complexity of research philosophy in this unit and its relationship to disciplines such as business, politics, public administration and law. There are a range of approaches to this topic and there is little agreement between them. Ultimately, your role is to identify where you sit in and amongst a range of philosophical concepts relevant to pursuing higher degrees by research. This is a personal journey.

I recommend one text, but I have not made it compulsory to purchase:

Recommended Textbook:

Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin.

This is available from the library.

Journals:

This is primarily a research-led unit, so it is expected that you will read journal articles and research work relevant to your topic of study, within your disciplinary field and across disciplinary spaces.

Typical repositories for research include UC's library website, Google Scholar and Google itself

Common journal databases for research philosphy would include Science Direct <www.sciencedirect.com> and Emerald <http://www.emeraldinsight.com/>

I will suggest journal articles as readings from time-to-time, but you will also be asked to search for and identify relevant research articles. Feel free to consult with your supervisors about particular readings and where to collect relevant research philosophy for your study.

Assessment requirements

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

The final assessment items (the summative reflective journal and the essay) should be submitted through Canvas.

Formative assessment (the reflective journals) should be submitted through email to David.Carter@canberra.edu.au

Use of AI is not permitted in this unit

The University's position is that artificial intelligence services must not be used for assessment or assessment preparation by students unless explicitly allowed in the assessment instructions for an assessment task published with the assessment task and/or in the unit outline. That is, an AI service may only be used if:

a) its use is authorised by the unit convener as part of the specified task; and

b) it is used in the way allowed in the assessment instructions and/or unit outline; and

c) its use is appropriately referenced, meaning that the students must reference the use of AI in their assessment in the same way as they reference other source material.

The use of AI has not been specified in the assessment instructions for the unit or in the unit outline and thus, AI is not a permissible resource

Academic integrity

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and 91Porn (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Student responsibility

Participation requirements

The class is discussion-based.

Your ability to understand your research projects is driven by how you understand, position yourself and identify with the complexities of research philosophy.

Thus, reading in advance, reading further in your fields and participating in activities and discussion is essential to your development in this class.

Required IT skills

Standard word-processing skills are required.

This unit involves online meetings in real time using either Zoom (invitations will be sent) or via the Virtual Room in your UCLearn (Canvas) teaching site. Zoom and the Virtual Room allow you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality, we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

It is also an appropriate academic expectations that you attend with a working video - names and faces to voices are a easier way to communicate.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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