Unit Outline

This unit provides postgraduate students with the skills and knowledge to undertake policy-based research - a key transferable employability skill. Practical skills development focuses on undertaking research to inform evidence-based policy positions for a topical real-world issue. Upon completing this unit, you will gain an understanding of how to: define a research problem, use research databases, apply a tailored method to generate policy-relevant data, systematically analyse and present this data, interpret and communicate results, and make evidence-based policy recommendations based on research findings. 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	Formulate research questions to guide research enquiries
2	Analyse data collected using a literature review to answer research questions
3	Interpret research findings derived from a systematic literature review
4	Construct policy recommendations informed by systematic review.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	none

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit is changing in 2026 to reorient towards the research skills required in graduate roles. It is shifting away from a focus on academic research that is aimed at publishing. If you see Systematic Quantitative Literature Review or SQLR anywhere in the unit content, this was the method taught in the unit until this year. SQLR is great for PhD literature reviews and other academic goals, but it's overkill for most industry research needs.

Unit changes have been made in response to feedback from graduates who liked the method but could see that only some parts of it were useful in their new working lives. The changes were also inspired by the teachers own applied research work for a small environmental consultancy.

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:	Scoping the review	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Implementing the method	Week 8	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Data analysis and presentation	Week 11	25 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Major report	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Scoping the review

Task Description:

Develop a project plan that details individual tasks and responsibilities for the methods and analysis tasks. Your mark will be based on your contributions to the discussion board, contributions in class (if studying synchronously).

Task Length:

Discussion board and class contributions

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Devise an overarching research question and a set of operational research questions.	LO1
2	Define search terms for your study with reference to literature and provide an AI use declaration.	LO1
3	Interact with peers to clarify questions, use of AI, search terms and overall scope.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Implementing the method

Task Description:

n/a

Task Length:

1000 word report and Excel database

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop exclusion and inclusion criteria	LO1, LO2
2	Develop a database including categories of analysis in columns, and input bibliographic information	LO1, LO2
3	Review 5-10 papers to test the clarity of your categories	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Data analysis and presentation

Task Description:

Produce visualisations of the data, and present your findings to teaching staff in an individual interview. You will discuss your progress, answer staff questions, and together plan edits that might be required for your final report. Staff may ask for you to interpret your findings in terms of policy and practice.

Task Length:

Individual interview of your data analysis and interpretation.

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Present analyses using appropriate tables and charts	LO2, LO3
2	Describe the relevance of your results for policy or practice	LO3, LO4
3	Articulate the process of producing your tables and charts	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Major report

Task Description:

Write a professional report that presents the research questions and methods, interprets the findings using effective visualisations, correctly attributes sources, and makes relevant recommendations to the client. A statement of AI use must be included (see MyLO for details).
Students must pass this assessment task in order to pass the unit.

Task Length:

5000 words maximum, excluding figures, tables and reference list.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Write a professional report based on your review, presenting research questions, methods, findings and policy recommendations.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Present research findings in correctly captioned figures, charts and tables to a professional standard	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Communicate recommendations with convincing arguments to your client.	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.

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.