The course provides basic training in research design, research methods and ethics for students whose Honours thesis topics relate to International, Political and Security Studies in the Asia Pacific. It is required for all students enrolled in the Bachelor of International Security Studies Honours plan, and for all students enrolled in the Asia-Pacific Politics specialisation of the Bachelor of Asian Studies Honours plan.

Students will be trained to pose theoretically sound research questions, design feasible, appropriate research methods and locate their thesis in relation to debates in their discipline. The course aims to help students acquire the skills required to independently design, conduct and write up the findings from a scholarly research project.

Learning Outcomes

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

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to engage with disciplinary debates in research and writing
2. Develop a theoretically sound research design
3. Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate, ethical method for researching a question in security studies.
4. Demonstrate skills in analysis and scholarly writing
5. Demonstrate the ability to present research questions, a research design and preliminary findings to an audience of academics and student peers, and to provide peer-review

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	THUR 27 FEBRUARY 2020, 1.30-3.30pm (PSC Reading Room, level 4, HBC) Session 1: INTRODUCTIONS / Research Design	1.30PM - 2.00PM: Introduction to the Honours Thesis Mutual introductions; introduction to the Honours programme; expectations for the Honours year. 2.00PM - 3.30PM: Research Design in the Social Sciences In this foundational lecture, Prof. Goh addresses questions of research design, including: What types of theses/dissertations are there? What does a good research question look like? How to design research to answer the question? Is the question empirical, or theoretical? If theoretical - how to select a case, or cases, which will help to answer the question? What are easy, hard, and crucial cases? What methods are best suited to addressing the research question? [Joint session with SDSC Masters (Advanced) and Doctoral research students.]
2	THUR 5 MARCH 2020, 10.00am - 12.00pm (SDSC RR, Lev 3, HBC) Session 2: Library Skills	IF POSSIBLE, STUDENTS SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN LAPTOPS FOR THIS SESSION Conducted by Ms. Jacqui Kempton, ANU Library
3	THUR 12 MARCH 2020, 2pm - 4pm (SDSC RR) Session 3: Reading for the Honours Thesis	In this session, Prof. Goh takes the class through the fundamentals of bibliography-building for a research project, and introduces basic skills for academic reading. This session will be complemented by INDIVIDUAL TUTORIAL #1 with student supervisors, focusing on subject-specific bibliography building. This tutorial should be arranged between students and their individual supervisors, and must take place either in Week 2 or Week 3.
4	THUR 19 MARCH 2020, 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-4pm (SDSC RR) Session 4: Academic Writing & Analysis / Proposal Presentations	4(a): 10AM - 12PM: Academic Writing and Analysis for International Security Studies Academic analysis v policy commentary Principles of Social Science analysis 4(b): 1.30PM - 4PM: Proposal Presentations In the second part of this session, students' thesis proposal presentations will be delivered and feedback provided (10% of overall grade).
5	THUR 26 MARCH 2020, 10am - 12pm (SDSC RR) Session 5: Writing Workshop 1	In this session, which will be run by the Academic Skills and Learning Centre, the ASLC instructor will guide students on how to structure a thesis. This will include a focus on the abstract and introductory chapter. Indicative programme: Analysing past theses: structure and argument; Writing session; Peer review
6	THUR 23 APRIL 2020, 1.30 - 4.15pm (SDSC RR) Session 6: Approaches to Security Studies	This session provides a broad overview of key approaches relevant to Honours theses in International Security Studies. 6(a): 1.30PM - 2.45PM: Key Concepts and Frameworks in International Security Studies (Dr. Andrew Carr) 6(b): 3.00PM - 4.15PM: Two Ways to Slice the Qualitative Pie: ‘Levels of analysis’; and ‘material versus ideational’ (Prof. Evelyn Goh)
7	Week of 27 APRIL 2020 (DATE & VENUE TBC) Session 7: Guest session by HSS thesis supervisors	This session introduces students to key approaches relevant to Honours theses in Security Studies: THEME & TOPICS TO BE DETERMINED BY FINALIZED SUPERVISORS & THESIS TOPICS 7(a): TBC 7(b): TBC
8	Week of 4 MAY 2020 (DATE & VENUE TBC) Session 8: Guest session by HSS thesis supervisors	This session introduces students to key approaches relevant to Honours theses in Security Studies: THEME & TOPICS TO BE DETERMINED BY FINALIZED SUPERVISORS & THESIS TOPICS 8(a): TBC 8(b): TBC
9	THUR 14 MAY 2020, 10am - 12pm (SDSC RR) Session 9: Writing Workshop 2: How to write a chapter	This will be a half-day writing workshop, run by the Academic Skills and Learning Centre. Further details TBA. During this week, students also have INDIVIDUAL TUTORIAL #2 with student supervisors, focusing on finalising the thesis working bibliography and preparing to write the Introduction. This tutorial should be arranged between students and their individual supervisors, and must take place by the end of Week 9.
10	THUR 21 MAY 2020, 9am - 12pm (SDSC RR) Session 10: DRAFT INTRODUCTION WORKSHOP	Peer reviews and feedback on Draft Introductions (15% of overall grade). Convened by Prof. Goh.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Note on Assessment	0 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Class Participation	10 %	*	24/06/2020	1, 4, 5
Thesis Proposal Presentation	10 %	19/03/2020	31/03/2020	1, 2, 5
Refined Thesis Proposal	20 %	22/04/2020	08/05/2020	2, 3, 4
Peer Review of another student's Introductory Chapter	15 %	21/05/2020	02/06/2020	1, 4, 5
Draft Introductory Chapter	45 %	05/06/2020	24/06/2020	1, 2, 3, 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 Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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

Note on Assessment

Generally, marked assessments will be returned two weeks (14 days) after the due date. The lecturer will let you know if this timeline will not be met.

Assessments will 'open for submission' one week (7 days) ahead of the due date. If for any reason you need to submit earlier than this, please email the lecturer for guidance.

All assessments are to be submitted through TurnItIn. Only 1 submission per assessment is allowed (unless a resubmission is requested by the lecturer).  

Only 1 file can be uploaded per assessment item.

Assessment Task 2

Class Participation

Class participation is a key component of this course. Discussions with peers, the course convener and invited presenters will provide valuable insights into research design, research skills, and effective postgraduate writing. Students are expected to read all assigned readings and be prepared to provide commentary in class on any of the following aspects:

• the argument presented;
• the theory, methods, and sources employed, and the extent to which these support the argument;
• the technical qualities of the writing such as tone, style and structure; and
• approaches, concepts, theories and models that may be applicable to their own research project.

The assessment of class participation will be based on the regularity and the quality of the contributions to discussion, the feedback offered on peers’ proposals and draft thesis introductions, and the manner in which both are delivered. Discussion in class should be robust but respectful at all times.

Assessment Task 3

Thesis Proposal Presentation

DUE DATE: 19 March 2020.

Students are required to deliver a 10 minute presentation on their thesis proposal. This is intended to introduce their project to the course convenor and their peers, begin the process of mapping out their research, and provide experience of explaining their research in a concise and coherent manner. Each student will present for 10 minutes, briefly outlining the following aspects:

• main research question,
• anticipated argument,
• theoretical approach, and
• proposed methodology, including potential sources

Each presentation will be followed by a discussion session chaired by a nominated discussant from the class. The course convenor will also provide feedback.

Students will be assessed on the content of their presentation, as well as their presentation values and ability to speak to time. Students are encouraged to rehearse their presentation. PowerPoint or other visual aids are strongly encouraged, but are not compulsory. Further guidance is in a document at the course's Wattle site.

Assessment Task 4

Refined Thesis Proposal

DUE: 22 APRIL 2020, 11.59PM.

Following on from the oral presentation of their thesis proposal, students will deliver a refined written version of their proposal. The proposal should address suggestions and criticisms raised in the discussion following the presentation. It shall be up to 2,500 words long and should:

• situate their project in relation to relevant literature;
• justify conceptual definitions and proposed research methods;
• discuss major sources, potential challenges to their successful exploitation, and how these will be managed;
• present a research plan for the remainder of the student's candidature;
• present a chapter plan; and
• include a bibliography (not included in the word count).

Assessment Task 5

Peer Review of another student's Introductory Chapter

DUE DATE: 21 May 2020.

Discussants (peer reviewers) will be identified the week before. 

In the last session of the course, each student will present a draft of their introductory chapter for peer feedback and discussion. Another student (the peer reviewer) will be nominated as a discussant for each chapter and will be required to deliver a 5-10 minute presentation on the chapter. The presentation should:

• Provide a summary of the chapter, highlighting the intended argument of the thesis and other major points; and
• Provide a constructive critique of the chapter that addresses issues such as style and tone of the writing, the flow and arrangement of ideas, and the appropriateness of the theory and methodology employed. The critique should both identify strengths, and detail ways the chapter could be improved.

To be clear: you are being assessed on your capacity to review a peer's work. This is an important part of the academic world. Your critique can be critical, but it must also be constructive.

Assessment Task 6

Draft Introductory Chapter

DUE: 5 June 2020, 11:59PM. 

At the end of the course, each student will submit a draft introduction to his or her thesis. In this draft introduction, students are expected to:

• provide an effective overview of the thesis subject, and introduce the key research question;
• locate the thesis clearly in a disciplinary or multi-disciplinary context;
• discuss the theoretical approaches used to frame the analysis;
• explain and justify the methodology used to answer the research question;
• outline a coherent thesis structure; and
• introduce the anticipated argument.

The length of the introduction will vary, depending on the overall thesis structure adopted. Word limits will not be rigorously applied but the introduction submitted should be in the vicinity of 4,000 words.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community 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 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 University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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

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 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.

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