STB403-4 Honours Research Project 4
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | STB403-4 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $5,244 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STB403-4 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Melody de Laat | melody.delaat@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is the capstone unit for the SEF Honours degree that aims to draw together, and build upon, the theory, practice and discipline fundamentals that have been covered in your Bachelor's degree. In this unit you will acquire the knowledge and skills essential to engaging with and conducting research, so that you may execute, complete and present your research project. Initially, this unit introduces you to the research process, project planning and management, and methodologies used in science. You will then apply your knowledge to a discipline-related issue or problem and carry out an independent and in-depth study that will provide the opportunity to extend and broaden your understanding of your chosen research topic. You will be required to relate the project work to published work in your field of study. This unit will prepare you for your transition to the scientific workplace, and in particular, a career in research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Be independent, self-reliant and take responsibility for your own research by planning and prioritising an approach to managing yourself, your relationship with your supervisor/s, and your research, in a proactive way, as well as working in inclusive, respectful and constructive ways with others.
- Apply technical, information processing and organisational skills in planning your research while demonstrating independent collection, evaluation, analysis, review and synthesis of data and information in a research project in a discipline-related context.
- Employ logic and sound judgement for informed decision-making and identifying evidence-based solutions for complex problems.
- Communicate your knowledge of your area of research, the advances within your research domain and its relationship to other research areas, to diverse audiences, including your peers.
- Reflect on your research and project management practices relevant to academic and professional practice and network with peers and researchers for professional and career purposes.
Content
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style commensurate with the field. A conference will take place towards the end of the unit and you will be provided with the opportunity to deliver either an oral or poster presentation of your research.
Depending on the project topic, specific content of the unit may include:
• Research philosophy and practicalities
• Purpose of a literature review in the research process
• Synthesis of your research with the discipline literature
• Data collection and analysis specific to the research field
• Problem solving
• Writing, editing and presenting your research
• Learning from feedback: critical reflection and seeking ways to improve your performance and achieve research excellence
• Ethics, health and safety and professional integrity
• Delivering research projects and results on time and effectively
• Networking as a process for connecting to a research community.
Learning Approaches
Research Project is a unit in which students are required to conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom they are expected to maintain regular contact. Learning activities for this unit may also include: lectures, workshops, networking events, meeting with lecturers, librarians and researchers, independent study around investigating literature, and developing academic writing skills. You will be provided with an Honours Handbook which will include templates and suggestions for beginning to draw together a portfolio of your research activities and learning.The ongoing use of study groups and collaborative working models for support and reciprocal learning is encouraged, and can be included in the research journal. You will keep your research journals up to date as you continue to monitor and manage the research and project implementation process.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
Literature Review and Research Plan:
Literature Review (written) and research plan (oral presentation).
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-4
Assessment: Project (research)
Format variable for difference disciplines, could take form of a thesis, research paper, case study, design, creative work, model, or simulation).
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-5
Assessment: Presentation
Abstract submitted to a conference committee prior to a presentation. Either an oral presentation and/or a poster presentation on your research project given to an audience of scientists/peers.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-5
Assessment: Reflective Journal
Critical Reflection:
Compile your ongoing project management processes, decision resolution models, comments and responses from research draft/presentation and reflections as a critical researcher into a journal or laboratory notebook. Engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
Relates to learning outcomes
1, 3, 5
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
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in MAPS (Management and Assessment of Project Safety) for approval. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STB403-4 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Melody de Laat | melody.delaat@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is the capstone unit for the SEF Honours degree that aims to draw together, and build upon, the theory, practice and discipline fundamentals that have been covered in your Bachelor's degree. In this unit you will acquire the knowledge and skills essential to engaging with and conducting research, so that you may execute, complete and present your research project. Initially, this unit introduces you to the research process, project planning and management, and methodologies used in science. You will then apply your knowledge to a discipline-related issue or problem and carry out an independent and in-depth study that will provide the opportunity to extend and broaden your understanding of your chosen research topic. You will be required to relate the project work to published work in your field of study. This unit will prepare you for your transition to the scientific workplace, and in particular, a career in research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Be independent, self-reliant and take responsibility for your own research by planning and prioritising an approach to managing yourself, your relationship with your supervisor/s, and your research, in a proactive way, as well as working in inclusive, respectful and constructive ways with others.
- Apply technical, information processing and organisational skills in planning your research while demonstrating independent collection, evaluation, analysis, review and synthesis of data and information in a research project in a discipline-related context.
- Employ logic and sound judgement for informed decision-making and identifying evidence-based solutions for complex problems.
- Communicate your knowledge of your area of research, the advances within your research domain and its relationship to other research areas, to diverse audiences, including your peers.
- Reflect on your research and project management practices relevant to academic and professional practice and network with peers and researchers for professional and career purposes.
Content
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style commensurate with the field. A conference will take place towards the end of the unit and you will be provided with the opportunity to deliver either an oral or poster presentation of your research.
Depending on the project topic, specific content of the unit may include:
• Research philosophy and practicalities
• Purpose of a literature review in the research process
• Synthesis of your research with the discipline literature
• Data collection and analysis specific to the research field
• Problem solving
• Writing, editing and presenting your research
• Learning from feedback: critical reflection and seeking ways to improve your performance and achieve research excellence
• Ethics, health and safety and professional integrity
• Delivering research projects and results on time and effectively
• Networking as a process for connecting to a research community.
Learning Approaches
Research Project is a unit in which students are required to conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom they are expected to maintain regular contact. Learning activities for this unit may also include: lectures, workshops, networking events, meeting with lecturers, librarians and researchers, independent study around investigating literature, and developing academic writing skills. You will be provided with an Honours Handbook which will include templates and suggestions for beginning to draw together a portfolio of your research activities and learning.The ongoing use of study groups and collaborative working models for support and reciprocal learning is encouraged, and can be included in the research journal. You will keep your research journals up to date as you continue to monitor and manage the research and project implementation process.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
Literature Review and Research Plan:
Literature Review (written) and research plan (oral presentation).
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-4
Assessment: Project (research)
Format variable for difference disciplines, could take form of a thesis, research paper, case study, design, creative work, model, or simulation).
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-5
Assessment: Presentation
Abstract submitted to a conference committee prior to a presentation. Either an oral presentation and/or a poster presentation on your research project given to an audience of scientists/peers.
Relates to learning outcomes
1-5
Assessment: Reflective Journal
Critical Reflection:
Compile your ongoing project management processes, decision resolution models, comments and responses from research draft/presentation and reflections as a critical researcher into a journal or laboratory notebook. Engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
Relates to learning outcomes
1, 3, 5
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
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in MAPS (Management and Assessment of Project Safety) for approval. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.