LLH479 Research Thesis Extension

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit will develop students' independent research and writing skills. It is for students considering a future career conducting research and managing research projects in public, community and private enterprises. The unit culminates with the production of a 10 000 word thesis. Completion of the thesis (and award of a 1 or 2A Honours) will be a strong basis for a competitive entry and scholarship application into Australian and overseas PhD programs.

This unit builds upon the research and writing skills and experiences in the earlier honours courses, by applying the knowledge and experience to a supervised research project.

Research topics will be nominated by supervisors. You will need to enrol in this unit in order to apply for a research project. However, your enrolment does not guarantee that you will be allocated to a research project and will be able to undertake this unit. Projects will be allocated by the end of week 1.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate law, legal institutions and practice to propose creative solutions to complex and dynamic problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3).
2. Plan, develop and complete a research project using suitable research design, research methods and digital literacy skills (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3).
3. Communicate findings and evaluation in a sophisticated manner cohering to the standards of academic discourse (CLO 4.1, 4.2).

Content

Learning Approaches

You will be supported and guided through the process of independent research and writing though completion of a thesis.

The primary learning approach involves direct supervision of the research project, including its design, methods, literature and writing.

In addition, students will be supported through regular online workshops with the unit coordinator. The workshops address a key identified problem with independent research students – feelings of disconnect and isolation from the University community and from other research students during their candidature. At the workshops three activities will take place.

1. Discussion of the topic for the week.
2. Self-reporting by students of progress and roadblocks.
3. Individualised and collective strategizing and problem solving around roadblocks.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms.

• Oral and written feedback on drafts by supervisor and unit coordinator;
• Group discussions in the workshops;
• The independent examiners' written reports.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit, students are graded on a scale of one to seven.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Proposal and Literature Review

The Proposal and Literature Review sets out the Background to the Research Question, the Method/Methodology/Data-set (depending on the type of project), a Review of Relevant Literature, and a Preliminary Bibliography.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Final Thesis

The thesis will demonstrate a high quality contribution to knowledge. The thesis will be independently marked for by two examiners, identified by the supervisor and unit coordinator, who are experienced with the topic and/or methods of the thesis.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This course is an on campus research course. It is low risk. If a student undertakes a project that requires off-campus research or data gathering, risk and mitigation will be dealt with in the Human Research Ethics application and associated procedure for off-campus research permission.

Course Learning Outcomes

LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

1. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
2. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
3. Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
4. Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
5. Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
6. Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
7. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
   Relates to: ULO3, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
8. Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
   Relates to: ULO3, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis

LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)

1. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
2. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
3. Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
   Relates to: ULO1, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
4. Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
5. Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
6. Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
   Relates to: ULO2, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
7. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
   Relates to: ULO3, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis
8. Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
   Relates to: ULO3, Proposal and Literature Review, Final Thesis