Unit Outline

The goals of this unit are twofold. The first goal is to acquaint students with the methods that economists use by surveying the literature and exploring theories relevant to their topics of interest. We will focus on critical assessments of what is already known and how students could extend and contribute to the knowledge and literature. The second goal is to promote the writing, exposition, and research communication skills needed to create a compelling brief for or against a particular economic issue. As such, the unit encourages students to engage with the research output of the University by attendance at research seminars. Students will be graded on various skill assessments, including presentations, seminar reports and referee reports.

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.	Identify the importance of theory to academic research in your topic area.
2.	Critically evaluate research presentations and incorporate elements of best practices into your own research presentation.
3.	Communicate complex research ideas in both oral and written forms.

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:	Report	Week 4	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Synthesis of the Literature	Week 8	40 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Presentation and Outline	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Report

Task Description:

For assessment task 1, you are required to evaluate a systematic literature review in economics. Consult with your supervisor for a systematic literature review which is relevant for your thesis topic.

Task Length:

3 pages (single spaced) in length + presentation

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate the research question(s) based on the literature reviewed.	LO1
2	Identify the importance of theory to academic research in your topic area.	LO2
3	Communicate complex research ideas in both oral and written forms.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Synthesis of the Literature

Task Description:

Develop questions, key words and synthesise your findings from a systematic search of the literature in a report.

Task Length:

1500-word review of the literature

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate the research question(s) based on the literature reviewed.	LO1
2	Communicate complex research ideas in both oral and written forms.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Presentation and Outline

Task Description:

Presentation on your honours research project summarising using the concept plan and detailed outline of your Honours thesis based on the outlining techniques presented in the unit.

Task Length:

4-6 page detailed outline and approximately 15-minute presentation.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justify research question(s) based on the literature reviewed.	LO1
2	Identify the importance of theory to academic research in your topic area.	LO2
3	Communicate complex research ideas in both oral and written forms.	LO3

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.

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.

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.