Unit Outline

In this unit, students will conduct their research project under the direction of their supervisory team. The finalised research proposal will be submitted for review early in the semester to assess whether adequate progress is being made and confirm that the project can be completed on time with respect to the project timeline and academic requirements of the honours program. Students will also present a progress seminar to their classmates, other research students and staff.

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	Develop a research plan that explores the rationale for your research project, establishes a clear research question and justifies your project methodology.
2	Develop and conduct a research project using appropriate scientific research techniques in accordance with the University’s Responsible Conduct of Research Framework.
3	Communicate research findings effectively, through written and verbal means, in an accepted scientific manner.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA432 or (CSA321 and CSA306 and CSA357 and CSA311)

Alterations as a result of student feedback

As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Research Proposal	Week 4	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Progress Seminar	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal

Task Description:

You will submit a written research proposal (max.
8,000 words, not including appendices),
including a literature review, research plan and
all ethics documentation (if applicable)
(pass/fail)

Task Length:

8000 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Write a literature review, referencing suitable literature to demonstrate the background and rationale for the project.	LO1
2	Develop a research plan, utilising suitable scientific techniques to answer the research question(s)	LO2
3	Communicate, a written scholarly work that adheres to scientific: structure and format; English conventions (grammar, syntax, spelling); referencing conventions; standards of academic integrity.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Progress Seminar

Task Description:

You will present to staff and students regarding the progress of your research project. (pass/fail).

Task Length:

10 minute presentation, with five minutes of question time.

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.