Research Principles and Practices

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

Admission to fourth year honours, a postgraduate diploma, or masters by coursework (with thesis option) offering this subject as a compulsory, core or elective and housed in the School of Culture and Communication.

To be undertaken concurrently with the following thesis subject if you are an honours student in Cultural Studies:

CULS40009 Cultural Studies Thesis (37.5 points)

CULS40012 Cultural Studies Thesis (50 points)

To be undertaken concurrently with the following theses:

None

MULT40004 (106-401) Research Principles and Practices

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject introduces students to research skills for students planning, researching and writing a thesis in the School of Culture and Communication. Research Principles and Practices explores traditional and contemporary research practices and the differing methodological approaches guiding research practices in the School of Culture and Communication. It explores key research principles and practices including: defining an academic field, establishing a research question, identifying key words and key texts, developing a literature review, preparing and presenting a research proposal. Research Principles and Practices provides students with specific research methodologies and academic practices that will facilitate their research projects. It will also provide information about copyright, ethics and the conduct of ethical research.

Students who complete this subject will:

• develop a detailed knowledge of key professional skills (developing a proposal, organising research, writing, editing, peer reviewing) and understanding of the principles and various approaches to research;
• acquire critical and analytical skills and methods to enable the identification and resolution of problems within research projects;
• develop high level written communication skills required for research projects;
• develop an independent approach to understanding research practices and communications that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical research protocols;
• be introduced to research practices across a range of platforms, archives and primary sources;
• work with independence, self- reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges of research;
• be able to communicate their knowledge effectively in a variety of oral and written formats.

A 1000 word reader’s report 30% (due at the end of semester), a 4000 word thesis proposal 70% (due in week 6), attendance at a School of Culture & Communication research seminar. Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• have advanced research and analytic skills; and
• have the ability to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively.