The special topic is suitable for Master-level students wishing to carry out applied research related to a problem in a particular disciplinary domain within Business and Management. Though prior research experience is not a prerequisite, students are expected to

1. draw on prior professional experience or prior studies bearing on the topic of interest, and
2. independently acquire (under supervision) the research knowledge and skills deemed appropriate to the successful completion of this course.

Candidates must prepare a report for their applied topic in business studies.

Candidates will be expected to analyse a broad range of published sources on the topic issue; apply tools and techniques from 7000- and 8000-level courses in the Research School of Management; gather some original input by collecting data in the field; and develop well-founded suggestions as to the implications of the topic issue.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify an issue or problem within a domain or across domains within business and management studies
2. Formulate an appropriate research strategy in view of addressing the problem
3. Critically discuss theoretical and empirical evidence related to the topic of interest
4. Devise an effective research design with a justification of the methodology(ies) appropriate for the topic of interest
5. Determine the implications of the proposed research for theory and practice
6. Create a research report suitable for the type (empirical or theoretical) problem under scrutiny

Research-Led Teaching

This course provides students with the opportunity to undertake supervised research as per the learning outcomes set for the course, on a particular topic agreed upon, under the guidance of a staff member. The goal is for the student to complete six learning summaries that can be integrated with their ongoing research to lead to an output of publishable quality.

Required Resources

To be decided during consultations and meetings. Resources will be mainly academic publications related to the domain under study.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments

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

Course Schedule

Contact hours for the course will take the form of periodic meetings between student and supervisor.

Support for Students

The University offers a number of support services for students. Information on these is available online from http://students.anu.edu.au/studentlife/

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	What is the theory in the context of social intermediation?	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.
2	Theory building and testing in social intermediation	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will engage in the discussion forum based on last week's reading material. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.
3	Writing reviewing and publication process in social intermediation	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will engage in the discussion forum based on last week's reading material. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.
4	Publishing qualitative and other non-mainstream research on social intermediation	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will engage in the discussion forum based on last week's reading material. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.
5	Context-driven research on social intermediation	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will engage in the discussion forum based on last week's reading material. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.
6	Relevant and impactful research on social intermediation	Readings and suggestions of other resources will be available via the class Wattle site. Students will engage in the discussion forum based on last week's reading material. Students will submit a learning summary based on the assigned reading material for this week.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Learning summaries	60 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Discussion forum	40 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

* 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

Learning summaries

Name of Assessment Task:

Learning summaries

Details of Task:

Students will submit learning summaries each week reading assigned material and integrating these insights with their ongoing research.

Word limit:

800-1000 words for each learning summary (total six summaries).

Value:

10% for each summary (total 60% for six summaries)

Due date:

Summaries will be due before the session starts, no later than midday (12pm) that day. The last one will be due on June 2, 2022. Feedback for each summary will be provided within one week of submission, except for the final summary, where feedback will be following release of grades.

Midday 12pm

First summary due: 28 April 2022

Second summary due: 5 May 2022

Third summary due: 12 May 2022

Fourth summary due: 19 May 2022

Fifth summary due: 26 May 2022

Sixth summary due: 2 June 2022

An alternative to this assessment task can be discussed with your supervisor(s).

Assessment Task 2

Discussion forum

Name of Assessment Task:

Discussion Forum

Details of Task:

Students will discuss assigned readings and their learning summaries on the discussion forum. They will receive feedback from the course convener on their discussion. There will be five discussion forums in total linked to topics of Week 1 to Week 5.

Word limit:

1000-1200 for each discussion forum

Value:

8% for each forum (total 40% for five forums)

Due date:

Contribution to the discussion forum can be made throughout the week following each session (except the last session). Each discussion forum is due no later than 5pm on the due date.

First discussion forum due: opens at 8am 28 April, closes at 5 pm 4 May 2022

Second discussion forum due: opens at 8am 5 May, closes at 5 pm 11 May 2022

Third discussion forum due: opens at 8am 12 May, closes at 5 pm 18 May 2022

Fourth discussion forum due: opens at 8am 19 May, closes at 5 pm 25 May 2022

Fifth discussion forum due: opens at 8am 26 May, closes at 5 pm 1 June 2022

An alternative to this assessment task can be discussed with your supervisor(s).

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 submit your research proposal and article by Turnitin, as well as by emailing the final copy to your supervisor(s).

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). 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.

All requests for extensions to assessment in RSM courses must be submitted to the RSM School Office with a completed application form and supporting documentation. The RSM Extension Application Form and further information on this process can be found at https://www.rsm.anu.edu.au/education/education-programs/notices-for-students/extension-application-procedure/

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

You will receive detailed comments on your research article by email after it has been marked.

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 your research proposal and article is not possible.

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