Unit Outline

This unit focuses on learning research methods to solve real problems. You will come to understand how to design research, define an argument in response to the problems, use scholarly databases, consider ethical issues in data collection, generate field data, analyse and present these data, interpret results, and reflect on all these processes and their application to, for example, policy and professional contexts. The unit is a professional pathway in Masters programs in geography, planning, and spatial sciences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

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


1	model professional conduct by engaging in mixed methods research design and reporting
2	collect and analyse social data
3	collect, query, and produce spatial information
4	collect and analyse environmental data

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Social methods report	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Spatial methods report	Week 9	25 %	LO1, LO3
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Environmental methods information sheet	Week 12	25 %	LO1, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Benchmark exercises	Refer to Assessment Description	25 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Social methods report

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Undertake the following: document the social research design—including ethics approval, participant recruitment, limitations, and methods of analysis; describe and analyse interview results; discuss how results help answer the research questions; provide recommendations for management of the problem being investigated; and use figures and tables to illustrate information. Then format the work as a concise report.

TASK LENGTH:

1,000 word report and supplementary materials

DUE DATE:

Week 6

WEIGHT:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Describe research design and survey methods used	LO2
2	Analyse survey data using descriptive statistics and content analysis	LO2
3	Summarise and interpret social data and analyses in relation to research questions	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Spatial methods report

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Complete desktop analysis of a study area chosen by the staff, and:
identify and display spatial data layers in a GIS;
create maps to communicate spatial information at professional standard;
use spatial analysis tools to identify significant features of the site and perform basic calculations about it; and
present maps and interpret information.
Then format the work as a concise report.

TASK LENGTH:

1,000 words and supplementary materials

DUE DATE:

Week 9

WEIGHT:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Locate, import, and display specified spatial data in GIS	LO3
2	Perform spatial analysis to identify and characterise relevant features	LO3
3	Summarise and interpret spatial data and analyses in relation to research questions	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Environmental methods information sheet

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Combine desktop analysis with data collected during a field trip to the study area to:
describe the vegetation communities of the study area;
document the fuel hazard variables measured;
correlate vegetation community and fuel hazard assessment and fire history of the area;
provide recommendations for bushfire management of the study area; and
use maps, figures and tables to illustrate information.
Then format the work as an information sheet.

TASK LENGTH:

1,000 words and supplementary materials

DUE DATE:

Week 12

WEIGHT:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Identify and describe vegetation communities from desktop and field data	LO4
2	Undertake fuel hazard assessment using established methods	LO4
3	Summarise and report on environmental data in relation to research questions	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Benchmark exercises

TASK DESCRIPTION:

After working through online resources on MyLO, you will complete 10 weekly online exercises to gauge your understanding of resources. Each exercise comprises 10 short questions and you will be given 60 minutes to complete them. You will also be given two attempts to complete each exercise. Exercises open 9 days before the deadline, which is 12 noon on the Wednesday before the workshop each week. Late penalties of 5% per day apply. You cannot complete an exercise if it is more than 1 week later than the relevant weekly deadline. Results will be available 1 week after each submission.

TASK LENGTH:

Refer to assessment description

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Correctly answer questions	LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required resources

Required Reading Materials

Please consult the KGA703 reading list in the Library.