Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Masters Project 1

• Unit Code

  CCA6240

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  30

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This project unit will provide students with the opportunity for guided independent study leading to the development of a significant design project in the area of the students interest and expertise based on a process of inquiry, analysis and synthesis. The project may comprise an innovative communication design, a new and purposeful product, filmic, service or multimedia development, or a design embodying a combination of disciplinary approaches.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Plan and execute a professional project with the application of theories and enquiry methods.
2. Research, plan, apply and defend ideas, creativity and innovative practice within a sustained body of work.
3. Research, interpret, communicate and present complex work and ideas to specialists and non-specialist audiences using professional conventions.
4. Develop a high level of interdependence and individual accountability through the critical evaluation of collaborative and individual processes or roles.
5. Apply, defend and evaluate sustainability principles in complex and professionally relevant problem solving.

Unit Content

1. Analysis and evaluation of the results of the project.
2. Implementation of the project proposal.
3. Preparation and submission of the report.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Under the close supervision of the supervisor, the student will carry out the project, analyse and evaluate the results, prepare and submit the project. In these units the student will implement, and prepare for submission of the project. The study, and its progress, will be closely supervised by the appointed supervisor. The preparation of the project will be done with the support of the supervisor, and with instruction from the course coordinator. It is probable that at least one draft of the written component will be prepared. The student and supervisor will mutually agree on progress review dates, and on draft submission dates.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.
• Balnaves, M., & Caputi, P. (2001). Introduction to quantitative research methods: Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Bertrand, I., & Hughes, P. (2005). Media research methods. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Crouch, C. and Pearce, J. (2012). Doing research in design. London: Berg.
• Davies, M.B. (2007). Doing a successful research project using qualitative or quantitative methods. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.). (2008). Collecting and interpreting qualitative materials. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Morley-Warner, T. (2009). Academic writing is... A guide to writing in a university context. Sydney: Association for Academic Language in Teaching.
• Grix, J. (2004). The foundations of research. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Richardson, J.E. (2007). Analysing newspapers. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Thomas, M.R. (2003). Blending qualitative and quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
• Weerakkoddy, N. (2009). Research methods for media and communication. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• White, B. (2011). Mapping your thesis: the comprehensive manual of theory and techniques for masters and doctoral research. Camberwell, Vic: Acer.
• Fontana, A., & Frey, J.H. (2003). The interview: From structured questions to negotiated text. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

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