Unit Outline

Major Projects Part A and B are the final part of your Master's degree that provide an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of original, independent research, building on and focussed on the topic or topics that are of particular interest to you and which you wish to explore in greater depth. The Major Project can take the form of either an empirical research project, analysis of an existing dataset, a systematic review of the literature, or a critical-interpretative analysis of existing knowledge within the student's specialist field. Major Projects can be carried out in the workplace if appropriate and with agreement.

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	Generate questions/aims/hypotheses based on experience, expertise and literature.
2	Collect and record information/ data from self-selected sources, choosing or devising an appropriate methodology with self-structured guidelines.
3	Critically evaluate information and inquiry processes using rigorously constructed criteria informed by personal experience, disciplinary expertise, and current literature.
4	Organise information/data using self-determined structures and management of processes (including team function).
5	Analyse and synthesise information/data to generalise or abstract knowledge that addresses self-or-group-identified gaps in understanding.
6	Select appropriate language and genre to extend the knowledge of a range of audiences and apply innovatively the knowledge developed to multiple contexts.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	At least 100 credit points of study at 400 level or above including CAM720

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 Methods Report	Week 6	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 2:	Presentation (assessed in CAM724)	Week 12	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 3:	Project Status Report	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 4:	Draft manuscript (assessed in CAM724)	Refer to Assessment Description	60 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research Methods Report

Task Description:

Students are to construct a carefully planned evaluation or research methods report on their context specific research topic, discussed with their academic supervisor. The evaluation/research methods report must include the following sections:
• Introduction (including aim and brief literature review)
• Research question
• Methodology
• Method (including justification for their appropriateness and reference to supporting literature)
o Context/setting/participants
o Data collection plan (including recruitment and consent, where applicable)
o Data analysis plan
o Ethical considerations
• Project timeline (GANTT chart)

The report should use a standardised referencing format.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Construct clear, focused, and contextually grounded research questions and aims, demonstrating alignment with relevant literature, professional practice, and identified local or workplace needs	LO1, LO3
2	Select and apply appropriate research methodologies with critical justification, showing deep understanding of methodological principles and their relevance to the research aims and context	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Critically evaluate existing literature, disciplinary expertise, and workplace experience to identify significant gaps; articulate how the research contributes to addressing these gaps with scholarly insight	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
4	Communicate ideas with precision, coherence, and academic rigour; adheres consistently to disciplinary conventions in language, structure, and referencing style	LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 2: Presentation (assessed in CAM724)

Task Description:

Students are expected to prepare a presentation of their project findings and outcomes. This presentation will be completed as an interactive online assessment, invigilated by a lecturer within the course students are enrolled in. Students will have 10 minutes to present followed by a 10-minute question and answer session as a learning check.

Task Length:

10 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Deliver a coherent and well-structured presentation that clearly articulates the research topic, contextual background, key findings, and evidence-based recommendations, demonstrating mastery of the subject matter. (15%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
2	Engage in thoughtful and analytical reflection on the research process, highlighting personal learning, methodological challenges, and the broader implications for disciplinary knowledge and/or professional practice. (20%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
3	Demonstrate intellectual rigour by addressing complex or ambiguous aspects of the topic, offering nuanced interpretations and extending discussion beyond surface-level understanding during question-and-answer component. (50%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
4	Utilise visual and verbal presentation tools with precision and professionalism; ideas are communicated clearly, fluently, and with appropriate academic tone and structure. (15%)	LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 3: Project Status Report

Task Description:

Project Status Report

Students are expected to prepare a status report for their project highlighting activities that have been completed and those planned aligned with their Research Methods Report (assessment 1). The Status Report should be a written report and include
• Project summary
• Plans for manuscript publication (Identify and justify a target journal)
• Ethics updates (if required)
• Data collection updates
• GANTT chart
• Supervisory meeting schedule
• Reflection on challenges

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide a succinct, well-articulated summary of the research project, demonstrating advanced understanding of its academic context, relevance, and alignment with prior methodological planning	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Communicate project milestones and future plans with clarity and coherence, using appropriate structure and evidence of strategic planning to convey progress toward research objectives	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
3	Exhibit high-level capability in initiating, managing, and advancing the research project, including effective organisation of resources, timelines, and supervisory engagement	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
4	Offer a thoughtful and analytical reflection on the project’s scope, feasibility, and potential impact, demonstrating intellectual maturity and awareness of challenges, limitations, and opportunities for refinement	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO6

Assessment Task 4: Draft manuscript (assessed in CAM724)

Task Description:

Draft manuscript with supporting appendices

The draft manuscript should be ready to submit to the chosen journal.

The manuscript is assessed against the criteria for publication set out in the author guidelines of the chosen journal.

Task Length:

Word count based on target journal requirements

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

60 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates advanced capability to interpret and apply the submission requirements of a selected academic journal, including formatting, structural conventions, and author guidelines with precision and consistency.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
2	Synthesises current and relevant research evidence with critical insight, offering well-reasoned interpretations of findings and formulating recommendations that are contextually grounded and academically justified.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
3	Communicates ideas with clarity, coherence, and scholarly tone, employing discipline-appropriate terminology and adhering strictly to established referencing conventions throughout the work.	LO4, LO5, LO6

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.