Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

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 Thesis Preparation 1

• Unit Code

  ENS6130

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  30

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit will provide the Masters candidate with an introduction to research methods and the use of various information resources to support their masters thesis project work. It includes exposure to a range of library systems and data sources that can be accessed for research purposes and the use of support tools that will assist in the development of systematic research work practices. The major outcome of the unit will be a complete literature survey report that will form part of the final thesis.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Access and extract documents from online and other digital libraries accessible though the ECU library.
2. Complete a formal literature survey for a chosen research topic at the Masters level.
3. Demonstrate the effective use of appropriate referencing tools in the preparation of a comprehensive literature review.
4. Effectively locate and use information sources (books, journals, etc.) in the library.
5. Prepare and maintain a bibliographic database that is ready for use for preparing a thesis or research paper.
6. Request and receive documents using the library document delivery service.

Unit Content

1. Development and use of a bibliographic database
2. Researching and writing a literature review.
3. The nature and scope of a Masters research project.
4. Use of the library to access research information from local and on-line resources.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Tutorials and workshops.

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

• Beer, D. F. & McMurrey, D. A. (2010). A guide to writing as an engineer (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley. Note: Additional references relevant to the research topic to be selected in consultation with the supervisor.
• Knuth, D. E., Larrabee, T. & Roberts, P. M. (1989). Mathematical writing. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Graduate School (Current Year). Doctoral and Masters by research handbook. Perth: Edith Cowan University.

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