RES402 Honours Theory and Proposal (16)

In this subject, students will build foundational knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue a research project. With guidance and feedback from their supervisor(s), students will identify a clear research question, and design a research study to answer it; which they will explain and defend in a written research proposal, including a consideration of ethical issues, and how these are addressed. Students will also critically review existing literature related to their research question, and write a narrative literature review that explains (a) how their planned research will build on existing knowledge and (b) why their planned research is worth doing.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Bathurst Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: RES402. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Research (Honours).

Assumed Knowledge

Undergraduate training in research methods in a Bachelor Degree.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to strategically acquire and critically review concepts and theories central to their area of research;
  • be able to generate a critical literature review;
  • be able to, with supervisor guidance, identify a clear, specific research question, which can feasibly be addressed in an Honours-level research project;
  • be able to, with supervisor guidance, explain how their research question will be addressed, explicitly acknowledging relevant time and resource constraints and any contingency planning;
  • be able to, with guidance, justify their choice of sample, recruitment strategy, data collection, and/or data analysis plan, as relevant, in relation to their question and any relevant ethical considerations; and
  • be able to construct a convincing written argument regarding (a) how a proposed study will build on or strengthen existing research and (b) why this study should be conducted.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • exploration of theories, both historical and contemporary in chosen area of study
  • how to acquire and critically review the existing literature on a topic
  • ethical considerations in research
  • how to write a feasible, methodologically sound research proposal
  • how to write a critical, convincing narrative literature review
  • construction of a literature review in a chosen research area

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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