Why do we study International Relations (IR)? For what purpose, for whom and where do we research IR? What inspires our research questions, and why should we not just ask but also find answers in ways that build knowledge critically and ethically? In Researching IR, students will be exposed to key contentions and state of knowledge on doing research in the field of IR. It aims to equip students with the theoretical, methodological and normative toolkits for formulating good research questions, practicing methodological creativity and in crafting research designs with integrity. The course is structured into three main parts beginning with lessons on the development of a research project, literature review and research significance. It then examines a range of toolkits researchers use in finding answers to their research questions. The remainder of the course examines ways of applying IR research within and beyond the academic environment as well as for a range of academic, policy and practitioner audience.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand theoretical, methodological and normative insights on conducting research in international relations (IR)
2. Critically evaluate a pluralist and eclectic range of methodology, methods and ethical principles in conducting IR research
3. Apply knowledge on conducting IR research in diverse and multiply-relevant ways from academic, policy to development practice environment.
4. Develop a variety of communication and critical-thinking skills needed in sustaining socially-engaged and ethical IR scholarship.

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	Seminar 1, 27 July - Formulating a research question
2	Seminar 2, 3 August - Designing your research
3	Seminar 3, 10 August - Literature Review
4	Seminar 4, 17 August - Methodology, Methods and Ethics	Assessment Task 1 due
5	Seminar 5, 24 August - Introduction to Qualitative Methods (interviews, focus groups, and ethnography)
6	Seminar 6, 31 August - Unobtrusive and remote research methods (archives and online / digital research)
7	Seminar 7, 21 September - Discourse and Visual Analysis
8	Seminar 8, 28 September - Participatory Action Research
9	Seminar 9, 5 October - Introduction to Quantitative Methods (surveys)
10	Seminar 10, 12 October - Mixed Methods	Assessment Task 2 due
11	Seminar 11, 19 October - Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in IR Scholarship
12	Seminar 12, 26 October - Communicating Your Research

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reading Review	20 %	17/08/2021	03/09/2021	1, 2, 3, 4
Research Ethics Brief	30 %	12/10/2021	29/10/2021	1, 2, 3, 4
Research Proposal	40 %	05/11/2021	26/11/2021	1, 2, 3, 4
Class Participation	10 %	10/08/2021	26/11/2021	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

Reading Review

Students will develop a review essay analysing any two readings assigned in Weeks 1 to 3. Students must demonstrate capacity to identify main arguments, summarise themes, compare/contrast ideas between the readings, and assess strengths and weaknesses of both.

Word Limit: 1000 words maximum.

Percentage: 20%

The assignment will be due no later than 17 August by 11:55pm.

Assessment Task 2

Research Ethics Brief

Students will be assigned to develop a research ethics brief identifying what are the ethical challenges, risks and barriers to conducting a given research project. Consequently, students must craft a strategy and plan that adhere to national and university ethics standards. This assessment will require students to re-imagine the research process that would have taken place behind a published research article and are then invited to re-construct an appropriate research ethics plan based on that research.

Word Limit: 2500 words (excluding bibliography).

Percentage: 30%

The assignment will be due no later than 12 October by 11:55pm.

Assessment Task 3

Research Proposal

Students will be tasked to develop a research proposal consisting of three main sections: a) research question or puzzle and significance; b) research design; and c) ethics plan. 

Word Limit: 3500 words (excluding bibliography).

Percentage: 40%

The assignment will be due no later than 5 November by 11:55pm.

Assessment Task 4

Class Participation

Students are expected to actively participate in the seminars and to contribute their own critical response and analysis of the weekly readings. In addition, the students will be required to hand in each week beginning with Week 3 lecture, a 100-word reflection piece. This will entail summarising what they think are the three (3) most interesting lessons they learnt from the weekly readings and one (1) question they have on either the reading or the weekly topic in general. The reflection pieces will be marked with a score of 1 or zero (for non-submission) and count towards final evaluation of their class participation. In total, students will have 10 reflection pieces for attending all lectures from weeks 3 to 12.

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

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. OR 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