SCI500 Research Methods in The Sciences

Updated: 23 July 2015
Credit Points 6
Offering
Location Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no supervised examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science and School of Science and Technology and permission from head of school
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes

Candidates must consult the relevant course coordinator before enrolling for SCI500. Approval for Enrolment form to be completed and submitted to the school for approval prior to enrolment in this unit. Form can be downloaded from http://www.une.edu.au/about-une/academic-schools/school-of-science-and-technology/current-students.
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s)
Unit Description

This unit is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based project and to prepare and present a thesis comprising a literature review and the results of the research project. Topics include: developing a research project proposal; library research services; scientific experimentation; statistical analysis; seminar presentation; bibliographic and referencing systems; addressing thesis assessment criteria; thesis structure. Each candidate will develop a study plan in consultation with the relevant course coordinator.
Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Literature Review 50% 4000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)

LO: 2-6 GA: 1-8
Oral Presentation 20%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)

LO: 1, 4, 6 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6
Research Proposal 30% 2000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)

LO: 1-3, 6 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate specialist knowledge and technical research skills in the planning, design and execution of a research project in a specialist area of study;
  2. demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of, and critically reflect on, scientific research as it relates to the specialist area of study;
  3. critically evaluate and theorise on issues contributing to the professional and ethical standards of practice expected in the specialist area of study;
  4. apply communication skills to convey methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions resulting from the project to audiences ranging from experts to those with no knowledge of the specialist area of study;
  5. demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to new developments in the specialist area of study; and
  6. demonstrate an ability to plan and deliver research seminars.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1
Knowledge of a Discipline

Knowledge of the chosen research field is expected to be cutting edge and is assessed through the written reports and the oral presentation.

 True True True
2
Communication Skills

Candidates are required to write reports using accepted scientific formats and present their results orally in the form of seminars. Assessment is through the written reports and oral presentation.

 True True
3
Global Perspectives

Interaction with regional and global literature and research problems is expected within this unit.

 True True
4
Information Literacy

The unit exposes students to scientific writing skills and oral presentation skills and requires critical review of literature and information from numerous sources.

 True True True
5
Life-Long Learning

Skills acquired in research are fully transferable to further higher degree research endeavours.

 True
6
Problem Solving

Experimental design and project management, with specific targeted deadlines is integral to successful completion of the unit and requires advanced research problem solving skills. This is assessed through written reports and oral presentation.

 True True
7
Social Responsibility

Candidates will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through written reports.

 True True True
8
Team Work

Candidates will usually liaise with a range of researchers from within their own and their supervisors peer networks and may be required to collaborate with them.

 True True