This course provides an introduction to the research methods relevant to Earth Sciences, through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops. Students learn key academic skills, and how to plan, manage, and present scientific research. It is fundamental preparation for EMSC4005 (Earth and Marine Science Honours) and EMSC4008 (Physics of the Earth Honours).

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Plan, manage and present scientific research;
2. Appreciate research strategy;
3. Explain the broader aspects of research and how it is conducted in the Earth Sciences;
4. Communicate and debate research to and with both a peer audience and a non-specialist audience;
5. Understand the principal features of a successful research proposal;
6. Apply concepts from lectures and workshops to develop their own research proposal and project.

Research-Led Teaching

In this course, you will learn key skills for conducting, planning, and managing research, how to present results orally and in the form of a scientific paper, and how to write proposals to fund research. It will be taught by lecturers who are active researchers and who will teach from personal experience. Proposals written in this course will be based on the rules/templates of ARC Discovery proposals, thus exposing students to a real-life situation.

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

Adjustments to delivery in 2020

Course delivery and assessment in 2020 was adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any information below that replaces what was published in the Class Summary for Semester 1, 2020 was approved by the Associate Dean Education (as is required after 10% commencement of a course). Where an activity or assessment is not referenced below, it remains unchanged.

Teaching Activities

• Workshops were moved online.

Assessment

Adjustments were made to assignment due dates; for details see the course Wattle site.

• Poster Presentations were done online.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This course will be delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, and workshops.	This course will provide a background to the stages involved in designing a research project, from understanding the purpose of a research proposal to what to consider when writing one (IA1). IA2 and IA3 will allow students to showcase their ability to comprehend, summarize, and present complex topics to peers (IA2) and a non-specialist audience (IA3). As scientists, we have to do both of these regularly.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Research Proposal	40 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Poster Preparation and Presentation	30 %	1,4
Lay Description	30 %	1,4

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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

Research Proposal

Note that this assessed component represents Milestone 1 of the Honours program.

In conjunction with your supervisor, students will produce a research proposal to demonstrate understanding of the process of scholarly inquiry, in particular, that 'good' research starts with identification of an important problem or 'knowledge gap' that can be addressed realistically. A persuasive research proposal identifies a knowledge gap that must be filled, proposes a hypothesis, and subsequently suggests a series of aims and objectives to be accomplished, using appropriate methods, to address the hypothesis.

Assessment due and return dates are negotiated in class. Please check the course Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 2

Poster Preparation and Presentation

Prepare a poster on your research project, following guidelines provided. Present a poster at an organized poster session, alongside other students. This will teach critical thinking skills and an ability to synthesize complex ideas into a more compact framework.

Assessment due and return dates are negotiated in class. Please check the course Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 3

Lay Description

On the same topic as that covered in the poster. Tests the ability to write and summarize for a non-specialist audience, building on writing workshops.

Assessment due and return dates are negotiated in class. Please check the course Wattle site for details.

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 allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• 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.

Returning Assignments

Assignments be available for return after marking via email and in person.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

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