Unit Outline

This 25% unit introduces candidates to applied business research methodology, with a focus on approaches and techniques appropriate for Masters‑level inquiry. Students will design and execute a substantial research project addressing a real organisational issue or opportunity, demonstrating their ability to apply rigorous research methods to produce actionable, evidence‑based insights.

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.	Design a research or applied project in a business related area.
2.	Integrate disciplinary knowledge and research methods to address a specific business problem.
3.	Transmit knowledge and project findings in a written and/or oral context.

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:	Research Proposal	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Research Proposal Presentation	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Final Research Report	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to develop a formal research proposal that investigates a clearly defined business issue or opportunity. Your proposal should demonstrate your ability to apply appropriate research methods, justify the significance of the topic, and outline a feasible plan for conducting a rigorous Masters‑level research project.

Task Length:

1500 words (Maximum - exclusive of the final reference list)

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define the research objectives for the proposed business research project	LO1
2	Justify the research question(s) related to a specific business issue or opportunity	LO1
3	Justify the scope of the research method for the proposed business research project	LO1
4	Integrate relevant literature and theoretical frameworks into the proposed business research project.	LO2
5	Explain the relevance of the expected outcomes within the context of the proposed business research project.	LO2
6	Apply the “Academic Standards for a Written Report” document (available on MyLO).	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Research Proposal Presentation

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to record and submit a professional presentation outlining the progress and direction of your business research project. It builds on your research proposal and provides an opportunity to communicate your research design, theoretical framework, and anticipated outcomes in a clear and engaging format.

Task Length:

10 minutes (minimum) to 15 minutes (maximum)

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the key elements of the research project’s progress and future direction	LO1
2	Justify the relevance of the proposed research question within the context of a specific business issue or opportunity.	LO1
3	Justify the proposed timeline for completing the Final Research Report.	LO1
4	Justify the data collection methods based on the proposed research question.	LO2
5	Explain the expected outcomes of the research project.	LO3
6	Apply the “Academic Standards for a Research Presentation” document (available on MyLO).	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Final Research Report

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to submit a comprehensive written report that builds on your approved research proposal and presentation. The report will demonstrate your capacity to conduct applied business research, integrate relevant theory and evidence, and present your findings in a clear, logically structured, and professionally communicated format.

Task Length:

6000 Words (maximum - exclusive of the final reference list only)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define the objective of the Final Research Report and explain its relevance to the specific business‑related research problem.	LO1
2	Justify the research design, data collection, and analysis methods within the context of the proposed business research project.	LO1
3	Synthesise relevant academic literature within the context of the identified business‑related research problem.	LO2
4	Interpret the research findings in relation to the research question and the applied methodology.	LO3
5	Justify actionable recommendations for addressing the stated business‑related problem within the context of the research findings.	LO3
6	Apply the “Academic Standards for a Written Report” document (available on MyLO).	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.