Unit Outline

KIT452

ICT Research Dissertation B

Semester 2, 2026

Wenli Yang

School of Information and Communication Technology

Sciences and Engineering (Portfolio)

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

This unit is the second of two research project units. This unit supports students in the continuous stages of their research journey, helping them complete, present, and reflect on their research thesis while building key professional capabilities. It focuses on strengthening academic writing, project planning, critical thinking, and research communication skills. Students will develop effective time management strategies, learn to evaluate research arguments and limitations, and engage with the academic publishing process. The unit also introduces strategies for presenting research to various audiences, building an academic profile, and engaging with industry and research communities. Through a series of structured modules, workshops, and individual project supervision, students will refine their writing, prepare professional research outputs, and explore career development opportunities, including publication, industry impact, and pathways into higher degree research.

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	Select, adapt, and apply research methodologies, tools, and techniques to conduct and manage an independent ICT-related research project
2	Critically analyse research outcomes to answer research questions
3	Document and communicate the research techniques used to generate research results, and defend a research approach

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KIT451

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Nil.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Independent Learning	Involving reading, watching videos, reflection points, completing activities, and knowledge check quizzes (asynchronous), most likely through engagement with MyLO. The content is examinable, and may need to be completed before attending classes and/or attempting assessment tasks.	3	Once only (5 times)
On Campus	Other	A meeting between the student and supervisor(s) to discuss progress towards identified project milestones/outcomes.	0.50	1 time per fortnight

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

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:	Formal Presentation	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Thesis and research paper	Week 14	80 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Formal Presentation

Task Description:

Students will deliver both a poster presentation and a final based on their thesis.

Task Length:

Poster presentation – Students present their research in a poster format, showcasing aims, methods, and key findings. Final presentation – A 20-minute oral presentation followed by 10 minutes of question time.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain and justify the research questions and methodology	LO1, LO3
2	Clear presentation of relevant data and results	LO3
3	Defend the research approach and analysis of the results with appropriate reasoning	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Identify the significance and implications of the research	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Thesis and research paper

Task Description:

Thesis – Students complete a major written thesis that provides a full account of their research project.

Research paper – A compulsory part of the thesis submission. This is written as an academic paper that presents the key findings of the research in a concise format, suitable for publication.

Task Length:

Thesis and research paper

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

80 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justify research question based on critical analysis of literature	LO1, LO2
2	Apply the research methodology to gather data to answer the research questions	LO1, LO2
3	Analyse the results using appropriate research techniques in the context of the research questions	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Identify the significance and implications of the research	LO2, LO3
5	Use appropriate level of professional writing and clear presentation of relevant data and results	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.

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.

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.