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  2. Applied Research Methods [RPS3110]

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

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

    Applied Research Methods

  • Unit Code

    RPS3110

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of applied research methods. It explores the major aspects of designing and completing a research project. Students design the appropriate and rigorous research plans and tools that will enable them to address research questions relevant to their discipline. They will apply these in class seminars and in their assessment work.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 180 credit points

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Design a simple research project.
  2. Develop data collection tools and procedures.
  3. Interpret qualitative and quantitative research.
  4. Prepare a research proposal.
  5. Synthesise findings.
  6. Understand the components of the research process.

Unit Content

  1. Basic research methods.
  2. Creative project and exegesis model in academic research.
  3. Literature reviews.
  4. Qualitative and quantitative research designs.
  5. Research issues and ethics.
  6. Writing a research proposal.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Readings, lectures and tutorials, online learning, guest speakers, interactive sessions, discussion groups, audiovisual resources.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Annotated Bibliography Research topic20%
PresentationOral Presentation20%
AssignmentResearch proposal60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Annotated Bibliography Research topic20%
PresentationOnline Presentation20%
AssignmentResearch proposal60%

Text References

  • ^ Thomas, G. (2013). How to do your research project: A guide for students in education and applied social sciences. (2nd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publications.
  • Blakie, N. (2000). Designing social research: The logic of anticipation. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
  • Barrett, E. & Bolt, B. (2010). Practice as research: Approaches to creative arts enquiry. New York, NY: IB Tauris & Co.
  • Cargill, M. & O'Connor, P. (2009). Writing scientific research articles: Strategies and steps. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  • Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social science research. Crow's Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  • Alston, M. & Bowles, W. (2003). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods. (2nd ed.). Crow's Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  • Knisley, K. (2005). A student handbook for writing in biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates Inc.
  • Hecq, D. (Ed.) (2012). The creativity market: Creative writing in the 21st century. Bristol, UK: Multilingual matters.
  • Manly, B.F.J. (2000). Statistics for environmental science and management. New York, NY: Chapman & Hall/CRC Press.
  • Montgomery, D.C. (2005). Design and analysis of experiments. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  • Punch, K. (2005). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative methods. London, UK: Sage publications.
  • Punch, K. (2004). Developing effective research proposals. London, UK: Sage publications.
  • Walter, M. (2006). Social research methods: An Australian perspective. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • No set journals. Note: A list of journals specific to student's discipline will be provided.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

RPS3110|3|1

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

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

    Applied Research Methods

  • Unit Code

    RPS3110

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of applied research methods. It explores the major aspects of designing and completing a research project. Students design the appropriate and rigorous research plans and tools that will enable them to address research questions relevant to their discipline. They will apply these in class seminars and in their assessment work.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 180 credit points

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Design a simple research project.
  2. Develop data collection tools and procedures.
  3. Interpret qualitative and quantitative research.
  4. Prepare a research proposal.
  5. Synthesise findings.
  6. Understand the components of the research process.

Unit Content

  1. Basic research methods.
  2. Creative project and exegesis model in academic research.
  3. Literature reviews.
  4. Qualitative and quantitative research designs.
  5. Research issues and ethics.
  6. Writing a research proposal.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Readings, lectures and tutorials, online learning, guest speakers, interactive sessions, discussion groups, audiovisual resources.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Annotated Bibliography Research topic20%
PresentationOral Presentation20%
AssignmentResearch proposal60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Annotated Bibliography Research topic20%
PresentationOnline Presentation20%
AssignmentResearch proposal60%

Text References

  • ^ Thomas, G. (2013). How to do your research project: A guide for students in education and applied social sciences. (2nd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publications.
  • Alston, M. & Bowles, W. (2003). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods. (2nd ed.). Crow's Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  • Blakie, N. (2000). Designing social research: The logic of anticipation. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
  • Barrett, E. & Bolt, B. (2010). Practice as research: Approaches to creative arts enquiry. New York, NY: IB Tauris & Co.
  • Cargill, M. & O'Connor, P. (2009). Writing scientific research articles: Strategies and steps. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  • Walter, M. (2006). Social research methods: An Australian perspective. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social science research. Crow's Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  • Knisley, K. (2005). A student handbook for writing in biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates Inc.
  • Hecq, D. (Ed.) (2012). The creativity market: Creative writing in the 21st century. Bristol, UK: Multilingual matters.
  • Manly, B.F.J. (2000). Statistics for environmental science and management. New York, NY: Chapman & Hall/CRC Press.
  • Montgomery, D.C. (2005). Design and analysis of experiments. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  • Punch, K. (2005). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative methods. London, UK: Sage publications.
  • Punch, K. (2004). Developing effective research proposals. London, UK: Sage publications.

Journal References

  • No set journals. Note: A list of journals specific to student's discipline will be provided.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

RPS3110|3|2