This course introduces students to the planning, design and conduct of research in business-related disciplines. Students gain an understanding of how scientific research is undertaken and are introduced to different research approaches. By the end of the course, students should be able to critically evaluate research (their own and that of others) regardless of the research approach. The overall aim is to enable students to develop the skills needed to design and undertake research that is ethical, meaningful, rigorous and relevant.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the research process;
2. Explain the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research;
3. Critically discuss different research approaches;
4. Engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices and ethical standards;
5. Analyse a research topic and formulate research questions for a research project that is both sufficient and feasible for a research thesis based program;
6. Design a research project to that uses appropriate methods to address specific research questions, while taking account of issues of validity, reliability and measurement;
7. Effectively present the results of a research project in a research article or thesis; and
8. Develop and present an original research proposal that addresses their chosen research problem.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is concerned exclusively with research, as detailed in the course description and learning outcomes.

Examination Material or equipment

Recommended Resources

Recommended reading: Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social Research Methods Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (7th edition), Pearson. Available in hardcopy and as an eBook.

Students are expected to have access to a copy of the recommended book for the duration of the semester. The book can be purchased in hardcopy and as an eBook. A small number of copies of the text is also available for 2 hour loan in the reserve loan section of the Chifley Library.

Other readings: Additional required readings will be provided on Wattle course site for each class session.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written individual comments in relation to submitted assignments will be provided on Wattle.
• Verbal generalised comments on assignments may be provided in class.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

As a further academic integrity control, students may be selected for a 15 minute individual oral examination of their written assessment submissions.

Any student identified, either during the current semester or in retrospect, as having used ghost writing services will be investigated under the University’s Academic Misconduct Rule.

COMMUNICATION

Email and Forums on the Wattle Course Website

Email and the Wattle course website are the preferred ways of communication. Student forums are set up on Wattle for each topic and can be viewed by all enrolled students and teaching staff. Students are encouraged to post any questions they have in the appropriate forum.

If necessary, the lecturer and tutors for this course will contact students on their official ANU student email address. Students should use this email address when contacting staff as spam filters used by ANU may not allow other email addresses to be received. Information about your enrolment and fees from the Registrar and Student Services' office will also be sent to this email address.

 

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations. Notifications of emergency cancellations of lectures or tutorials will be posted on the door of the relevant room.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The research process and types of research Identifying research topics: Identifying business issues, identifying research questions Approaching potential supervisors
2	Research design: Understanding the research literature Research questions – what do we know already? refining the research question, extending prior research Student presentations for Class Assignment 1 Part A: Identifying important issues for research (Private study - Research paradigms)	Class Assignment 1a
3	Research design: The nature of theory and its place in research Student presentations for Class Assignment 1 Part B: Contextualising a research question and identifying contributions
4	Research design: Developing Hypotheses Refining research questions, using the literature, and developing hypotheses	Class Assignment 1b
5	Research design: Testing hypotheses – developing models
6	Archival research Student presentations for Class Assignment 2: Identifying and evaluating the appropriate available data	Class Assignment 2
7	Issues in modelling and analysis Student presentations for Class Assignment 3: Expected measurement issues for a proposed project
8	Surveys (interviews and questionnaires).	Preliminary Research Proposal
9	Experiments and behavioural research
10	Completing a research project and communicating results	Class Assignment 3
11	Completing and communicating your research proposal
12	Student presentations of research proposals

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation in scheduled classes and School Research Seminars	10 %	22/07/2019	30/10/2019	2,3,4,5,6,8
Research Seminar Paper Critiques	15 %	05/08/2019	19/08/2019	3,4
Class Assignment 1A	0 %	29/07/2019	12/08/2019	1,2,3,4
Class Assignment 1B	5 %	12/08/2019	26/08/2019	1,2,3,4
Class Assignment 2	5 %	26/08/2019	16/09/2019	4,5,6,8
Class Assignment 3	10 %	07/10/2019	21/10/2019	6,8
Preliminary Research Proposal	15 %	23/09/2019	21/10/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6,8
Final Research Proposal	40 %	08/11/2019	28/11/2019	12,3,4,5,6,7,8

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Participation in scheduled classes and School Research Seminars

Instructions for class activities are provided on Wattle. You are expected to adequately prepare all activities prior to the relevant class and participate in class discussion every week. Assessment of your participation will be based on the provided rubric that will be applied in relation to your contributions to both (1) the class each week in relation to scheduled class topics, including being able to explain a relevant aspect of your proposed research topic, your engagement in discussion of other students’ proposals and issues, and your engagement in discussing general research issues; and (2) your participation in (not mere attendance at) the Research School of Accounting Research Seminars. The due date listed in the Assessment Summary is the earliest possible date for participation in week 1. The date listed for for return of assessment is the earliest possible date prior to the examination period.

Note that the Research School of Accounting holds a seminar series on most Fridays during teaching weeks. Your university email address will be used by the School’s Seminar Convenor to send notices of seminars and copies of papers. These seminars are part of the research learning process for this course. You are expected to attend all scheduled seminars and ask questions. (Students from other schools can substitute their school research seminar and advice will be sought from that School’s Seminar Convenor as to participation.)

Rubric

Fail participation	Pass participation	Credit participation	Distinction participation	High Distinction participation
Class contributions did not demonstrate sufficient understanding of the research process and the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research; the ability to critically discuss different approaches; the ability to engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices; the ability to formulate feasible research questions; the ability to design appropriate research projects; or the ability to present an original proposal for a selected topic.	Class contributions demonstrated sufficient understanding of the research process and the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research; the ability to critically discuss different approaches; the ability to engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices; the ability to formulate feasible research questions; the ability to design appropriate research projects; and the ability to present an original proposal for a selected topic.	Class contributions demonstrated a strong understanding of the research process and the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research; the ability to critically discuss different approaches; the ability to engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices; the ability to formulate feasible research questions; the ability to design appropriate research projects; and the ability to present an original proposal for a selected topic.	Class contributions demonstrated an excellent understanding of the research process and the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research; the ability to critically discuss different approaches; the ability to engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices; the ability to formulate feasible research questions; the ability to design appropriate research projects; and the ability to present an original proposal for a selected topic.	Class contributions demonstrated an outstanding understanding of the research process and the nature of theory, theory building and theory testing in research; the ability to critically discuss different approaches; the ability to engage in meaningful research that adheres to accepted academic practices; the ability to formulate feasible research questions; the ability to design appropriate research projects; and the ability to present an original proposal for a selected topic.

Assessment Task 2

Research Seminar Paper Critiques

You are required to submit a minimum of three critiques of research papers presented in the Research School of Accounting Research Seminar Program. Each critique is approximately 2 x A4 pages using the prescribed format provided on Wattle. At least one of your critiques must be submitted for an RSA seminar presented in Weeks 2-5.

Each critique is due on Monday in the week following the presentation of the paper you choose. Late critiques cannot be accepted. The due date listed in the Assessment Summary is the earliest possible date for submitting a critique. The date for return of assessment is two weeks after the due date for submission.

There may be unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from critiquing particular papers listed in the seminar program (e.g., last minute cancellations by presenters) and not all papers are necessarily suitable for this critiquing assignment (you will be advised when this is the case); therefore, you should not wait until the later weeks of the seminar series to complete this assessment component.

The objective of the critique is to review the work with respect to both: (a) research method; and (b) its contribution to the literature. You will be graded based on your critical analysis and you will not be rewarded for summarising the seminar paper or for discussing your personal opinions of a topic or literary style. In addition to asking your own questions in seminars, you should take careful note of other people’s comments and questions, as these may help inform your critique.

Other CBE seminar papers: Where a research paper that is particularly relevant to your research interests is offered in the seminar program of another School in CBE, you can seek the permission of the Course Convenor to critique that paper instead of an RSA paper. You are not assured of receiving permission. Where permission is given, you must email a copy of the seminar paper to the Convenor.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 3

Class Assignment 1A

Details of each of the three Class Assignments (listed in the Assessment Summary) will be provided on Wattle. These assignments and your Research Seminar Paper Critiques are designed to help you develop your Research Proposal.

The due date is Week 2 Monday 9.00am. You will receive feedback via Wattle in Week 4.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 4

Class Assignment 1B

Details of each of the three Class Assignments (listed in the Assessment Summary) will be provided on Wattle. These assignments and your Research Seminar Paper Critiques are designed to help you develop your Research Proposal.

The due date is Week 4 Monday 9.00am.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 5

Class Assignment 2

Details of each of the three Class Assignments (listed in the Assessment Summary) will be provided on Wattle. These assignments and your Research Seminar Paper Critiques are designed to help you develop your Research Proposal.

The due date is Week 6 Monday 9.00am.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 6

Class Assignment 3

Details of each of the three Class Assignments (listed in the Assessment Summary) will be provided on Wattle. These assignments and your Research Seminar Paper Critiques are designed to help you develop your Research Proposal.

The due date is Week 10 Monday 9.00am.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 7

Preliminary Research Proposal

Your submitted Preliminary Research Proposal must not exceed 12 x A4 pages (including all equations, figures and tables but excluding references or an appendix). Further guidance is provided on Wattle.

You are strongly encouraged to select a topic in an area in which you have strong intellectual interest. The proposed research must be realistic in relation to the academic resources available to you as a research student. If you are preparing for an honours thesis, masters thesis or sub-thesis, or PhD thesis, you are expected to use this assignment to develop your thesis proposal. You are expected to consult regularly with your thesis supervisor throughout the semester in developing your research topic and proposal.

The due date is Week 8 Monday 9.00am.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 8

Final Research Proposal

Your submitted Final Research Proposal must not exceed 22 x A4 pages (including all equations, figures and tables but excluding references or an appendix). Further guidance is provided on Wattle.

The due date for submitting the written proposal is Friday 8 November.

All students must formally present their research proposals in class in Week 12. An additional class will be scheduled in Week 12 if it is needed to accommodate the number of presentations. All students are required to attend all presentations by other students. The timetabling for each presentation will be arranged in Week 10. Some academic staff and other research students usually attend these presentations. Your presentation and the in-class feedback will assist you in improving your proposal prior to submission. You are expected to consult regularly with your thesis supervisor throughout the semester in developing your research topic and proposal.

You are expected to take advantage of feedback on your earlier work in this course and your presentation in finalising your proposal. However, in consultation with your supervisor, you may choose to substantially change or replace your preliminary proposal as your research develops during the semester.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Student work is submitted, held and graded electronically. Copies are not returned. Individual feedback will be provided as comments on Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assignments cannot be resubmitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students