The course trains higher degree research (HDR) students to appropriately prepare for fieldwork in the Pacific region. The course assists students in developing both the practical skills and the professional knowledge required for field research in Pacific island societies.  

Specifically, practical skills relate to safeguarding personal health and safety during fieldwork, including through development of a comprehensive risk management matrix. The course also encourages students to consider other practical skills necessary for their distinctive research fieldwork, such as language skills. 

Professional knowledge addresses the complexities of ethical conduct of human research in societies characterised by close knit and overlapping familial and social relationships. Also important is understanding of scholarly debates on indigenous research methodologies. 

The course aims to develop skills in managing research in a part of the world where projects of all kinds must of necessity be agile and responsive to the local social, cultural and political environment. Thus, the course intends to develop skills to creatively respond to fieldwork challenges in iterative ways. 

On completion of the course, students will have the skills and the knowledge to safely and successfully conduct ethical field research in the Pacific.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of issues relating to health, safety and risk management in fieldwork and how to address them in the context of HDR study
2. Reflect on various practical skills required to undertake research in different Pacific environments, including cross-cultural communication, language competency and budgeting
3. Identify issues relating to human research ethics and consider how to address them in the context of HDR study
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political context of research in the Pacific, including Pacific ways of talking, indigenous research methods and appropriate research protocols. Students will also be able to critically reflect on methodological choices and practices relevant to the Pacific context

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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

Indicative listing of topics to be covered:

Personal health, safety and risk management

The practicalities of doing research in the Pacific and the specific skills required

Human research ethics and ethical considerations pertinent to the Pacific context

Melanesian/Pacific research approaches

Essential Reading:

Banks, G. and R. Scheyvens 2014. Ethical Issues. In R. Scheyvens (ed). Development Fieldwork: A Practical Guide. London: Sage, 160-187.

Vallance, R.J. 2007. Is there a Melanesian Research Methodology? Contemporary PNG Studies: DWU Research Journal 7:1-15.

Vallance, R.J. 2008. Melanesian Research Ethics. Contemporary PNG Studies: DWU Research Journal 8:1-14.

Optional Reading:

Optional readings will be provided via Wattle.

Class times:

9.30am to 1pm (three hours, with a 30-minute-long break) over eight weeks, incorporating a two-week-long break in the middle, on the following dates:

Wednesday 3 June,

Wednesday 10 June,

Wednesday 17 June,

Wednesday 24 June,

Wednesday 15 July,

Wednesday 22 July,

Wednesday 29 July, and

Wednesday 5 August.

Please note that, in response to COVID-19, ANU has changed the mode of delivery for all classes to remote delivery. Therefore, in most cases, there will be a Zoom meeting scheduled for each 9.30am class time. Delivery will be through a mixture of Zoom classes, individual learning activities, consultations, readings and assessments. Learning materials and readings will be available online through Wattle. Additional materials may be posted to students in learning and activity packs. Further updates and changes to class times will be available via Wattle.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction. Health and safety.	Directly relevant for assessment 2 (risk matrix).
2	Research ethics principles and processes.	Directly relevant for assessment 3 (draft ethics application).
3	Continue to support student development of risk matrices. Continue discussion of human research ethics.	Relevant for assessment 2 and assessment 3.
4	Continue to support student development of risk matrices. Continue discussion of human research ethics.	Relevant for assessment 2 and assessment 3.
5	Pacific research methodologies.	Directly relevant for assessment 5 (paper on Pacific research methodologies).
6	Pacific research methodologies.	Relevant for assessment 5.
7	Related skills, including budgeting and data security.
8	Conclusion and revision.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar attendance and course participation	5 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Risk matrix	20 %	29/06/2020	15/07/2020	1,2,3
Draft ethics application	30 %	20/07/2020	05/08/2020	3,4
Written response to case studies	20 %	06/08/2020	14/08/2020	1,2,3,4
Paper on Pacific research methodologies	25 %	10/08/2020	14/08/2020	4

* 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

Seminar attendance and course participation

Students are expected to participate actively throughout the course, for instance by asking and answering questions, engaging in theoretical debates and discussing practical issues. In doing so, students should be able to demonstrate over the duration of the course a sound knowledge of the course's key themes and concepts.

Assessment Task 2

Risk matrix

Prepare a detailed risk matrix that outlines the social, health and methodological risks of your proposed project and how to mitigate these risks.

Assessment Task 3

Draft ethics application

Prepare a full draft of an ethics application ready to discuss with your primary supervisor before submission to the Human Research Ethics Committee of Australian National University. The ethics application must include how you will approach research permission in the intended research site(s).

Assessment Task 4

Written response to case studies

1000 to 1500 words:

Select five of the eight case studies provided and respond. The response can be written in five parts, looking at each of the selected case studies in turn (i.e. 200 to 300 words per case study). Alternatively, the paper can discuss the five case studies in an integrated manner.

 

What issues do the case studies raise that are relevant to your planned research? Are the issues ethical, practical, risk management and/or cultural issues? What lessons can be learnt from the case studies and applied to your intended research fieldwork?

Assessment Task 5

Paper on Pacific research methodologies

2000 to 2500 words: 

Write a paper on Pacific research methodologies, with reference to key Pacific research texts. In your answer, discuss cultural and indigenous considerations that are particular to the Pacific. What considerations are relevant to your intended research? How can the Pacific approach be managed within the context of meeting a university’s requirements?

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for 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.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.

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