This course provides students with training in research principles and methods as they relate to practice-led research. The course covers research writing modes and methods, studio investigative processes and methodologies, critical thinking. Students experiment with skills relevant to individual research projects.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

1. Devise, plan and execute a body of studio investigations.
2. Select and combine materials and processes skilfully to give visual form to ideas.
3. Develop a studio-based methodology relevant for a specified topic.
4. Apply progressive research questions to studio investigations.
5. Identify and describe relevant historical and contemporary practices and relate them to the project's concerns by integrating studio and contextual investigation/research.
6. Explain and provide a rationale for the practice-led research project.

Research-Led Teaching

In Research Methods and Processes 1 students will expand and develop their research communication skills, learning how to describe, analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others. They will practice exegetical and research writing modes and will develop critical and reflective thinking. Students are encouraged to consider how their chosen themes or subjects might lead them to explore the language and potential of studio-based research in new and significant ways. They will learn to articulate how their material choices give rise to different readings, and how their practice-based research can be contextualised both historically and in the contemporary field. This course is aimed at developing skills relevant to all disciplines in the Honours visual arts cohort and provides examples to model how practice-led research is carried out. Students are required to be open and curious and to apply examples laterally to their own discipline and individual research projects.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional materials fees for the Research Methods and Processes 1 Seminar class. Each Workshop may have costs specific to each discipline. Please refer to individual workshops.

Required Resources

Students are required to provide their own materials for their studio projects.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to research principles and methods, workshop on research questions and strategies.	Reading group discussion for readings 1 and 2.
2	Annotated bibliographies and research workshop. Referencing systems and material research discussions	Reading group discussion for readings 3 and 4 Crits in photospace
3	Research workshop and library tour (draft date pending confirmation)	Library Tour and research workshop (TBC) Crits in photospace
4	Annotated bibliographies and research workshop.	Reading group discussion for readings 5 and 6 Crits in photospace
5	Annotated bibliographies and research workshop.	Reading group discussion for readings 6 and 7 Crits in photospace
6	Introduction to extended proposal	Reading group discussion for readings 7 and 8 Crits in photospace
7	Assessment 1 due	Proposal: Introduction Crits in photospace
8	Draft proposals due in hard copy in class	Proposal workshops Crits in photospace
9	Proposal workshop	Crits in photospace
10	Introduction to studio examinations	Crits in photospace
11	Assessment 2 due	Crits in photospace
12	Assessment 3 Studio examinations (no class)
13	Assessment 3 Studio examinations (no class)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Annotated Bibliography	30 %	19/04/2023	30/04/2022	3,4,5,6
Expanded Proposal	30 %	17/05/2022	30/05/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6
Studio examination of current progress of investigation	40 %	22/05/2022	10/06/2022	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills 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.

Participation

Students are expected to attend class Wednesdays 2-6pm and participate in readings and studio critiques throughout the semester.

Assessment Task 1

Annotated Bibliography

DUE WEEK 7

You are tasked with researching and selecting 8 texts that are informing your honours research and list these in an annotated bibliography. These texts may be journal articles, art books, artist monographs, books on creative research methods specific to your discipline or other informative contextual writing that may come from other disciplines or areas. These references could be about artists, creative methods or techniques, or larger ideas that inform your practice. 4 of these should be texts from the provided reading list and 4 should be references you have found yourself pertinent to your own research.

Each summary will be laid out as followed:

1. The full reference for the text, using the Chicago referencing style, in bold.
2. A 250 word summary of the text where you:

• outline the key points and arguments made by the author;
• note the context and style of the text via critical analysis methods; and
• discuss why you think this text is important or interesting to your honours project

You can find information on annotated bibliographies here

In weeks 2-6 students will take turns in introducing the readings and leading discussion.

Assessment Criteria:

1. 5 x 250 word summaries of texts that inform your research, carefully presented with the correct formatting, referencing, spelling and grammar (LLO 5, 6)
2. A demonstration of sustained curiosity and criticality with regards to contextualising these texts within your practice and conceptual concerns. (LLO 3,4,5)

Rubric

Criterion	HD	D	C	P	F
5 x 250 word summaries of texts that inform your research, carefully presented with the correct formatting, referencing, spelling and grammar (LLO 5, 6)	Perfect spelling, consistent and considered referencing and punctuation. Language is clear and summaries are succinct. An excellent selection of sources compiled to best inform your practice and concerns	Very good spelling, consistent and considered referencing and punctuation. Good expression and summaries of each text. A variety of quality sources.	Some good referencing although some anomalies and inconsistencies could be addressed. More attention to being as succinct as possible.	Referencing system is unclear, expression and spelling inconsistent. Sources of information may not be the best quality.	Limited or no appropriate referencing, spelling, expression and summaries insufficient or incomplete.
A demonstration of sustained curiosity and criticality with regards to contextualising these texts within your practice and conceptual concerns. (LLO 3,4,5)	Excellent critical engagement with the selected texts, explaining clearly how and why they are useful to your research project and its key concerns.	Very good engagement and understanding of selected texts and explanation for why they are of importance to your research project and its key concerns.	Interesting summaries of texts, although it may be less clear why each text is of importance to your project or demonstration of understanding or adequately summarising each text.	Summaries of text unclear or less obvious why or how they are informing your practice.	Unclear how each text relates to practice or summarised in a way that is insufficient or incomplete.

Assessment Task 2

Expanded Proposal

DUE WEEK 11

In this 2,500 word proposal, you will articulate your research question/s and outline how you plan to carry out your studio research for this project. You will provide contextual research in the forms of literature and material research reviews before laying out what your plan is for how you will see your body of creative work realised. You will include a reference list and the Chicago referencing system. We will review and workshop plans and drafts of these proposals in class in weeks 6, 7 and 8.

Assessment Criteria:

A 2,500 visual art honours research proposal that:

1. Clearly articulates the scope of the research project with careful attention to presentation, communication and structure (LO 4)
2. Demonstrates an ability to research and present a coherent body of artworks (LO 1)
3. Explores materials and processes in ways that are experimental and informed (LO 2)
4. Contextualises the research with relevant historical and contemporary practices, carefully referenced. (LO 5)
5. Critically evaluates the research trajectory and process (LO 3, 6)

Rubric

Criterion	HD	D	C	P	F
Clearly articulates the scope of the research project with careful attention to presentation, communication and structure (LO 4)	Clear and confident articulation of scope of the research project with excellent attention to presentation, spelling, captions, communication and structure.	Very good articulation of the research project with considered attention to presentation structure, spelling, captions, communication and structure.	A good summary of the research project with some attention being paid to spelling and captions. Communication and structure could be better refined and rehearsed.	Main focus of the research not really explained. More attention to spelling, captions and footnotes could enhance this, along with more planning when it comes to structure and communication.	Inadequate articulation of the scope of the research project. Limited to no attention given to presentation and communication planning.
Demonstrates an ability to research and present a coherent body of artworks (LO 1)	Sophisticated and nuanced insight provided to the presented artworks and processes and articulation of their importance.	A critical and insightful articulation of the artwork’s trajectory and processes and articulation of their importance.	Some good insight into the value of this artwork trajectory and processes but a firmer articulation of their importance would enhance this.	Limited reflection on the artwork trajectory and processes and articulation of their importance.	Unclear of the rationale for the research trajectory and processes or why they are important.
Explores materials and processes in ways that are experimental and informed (LO 2)	Refined, experimental and innovative approach to materials and practice-based research methodologies.	Experimental and novel approach to practice-based research methodologies.	A competent exploration of materials with some markers of experimentation or innovation.	Limited evidence of practice-based research and/or competency with material exploration.	Unclear how the materials have been explored
Contextualises the research with relevant historical and contemporary practices, carefully referenced. (LO 5)	Highly sophisticated engagement with contextual research, coalesced into a comprehensive and well-referenced argument.	Excellently contextualised with historical and contemporary practices.	Good research but more effort to demonstrate why these contemporary and historical practices are key to your research would enhance this.	Evidence of some research but it lacks quality or a clear articulation of why these historical and contemporary practices have informed your research. References may also need work.	Limited to no references made to contextual research.
Critically evaluates the research trajectory and process (LO 3, 6)	Methodologies are clearly articulated and evaluated, demonstrating a nuanced and substantial contribution to the research field.	Methodologies are clearly articulated and evaluated, demonstrating an interesting contribution to the research field.	Methodologies are articulated with some level of evaluation but hard to ascertain which were most or least successful.	Methodologies less articulated and/or limited evaluation of where the contribution to knowledge is or how successful it is.	Unclear what the methodologies are or where the research exists.

Assessment Task 3

Studio examination of current progress of investigation

DUE WEEK 12+13

Work and tests to be installed in the workshop area. If in progress, work must be installed to give a sense of how it will be displayed when complete. Works in progress and rejects should also be included. New media students must have rendered tests and projects to the stage of its development. The work is marked, and students are encouraged to have developed some work to a finished stage.

Work should be accompanied by tests and material that display the contextual research, for example: research journals, books and monographs of artists/designers of interest. Students are given 10 minutes to introduce their project and explain its development. This is followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Feedback will be given mostly verbally in person by the examination panel followed by the marked rubric and a grade in writing.

Rubric

Criteria	HD	D	C	P	F
Devise, plan and execute a body of studio investigations	A body of work of exceptional quality with a very high level of originality and insightfulness.	A body of work of high quality with a high level of originality and insightfulness	A competent body of work that has some originality.	Adequate body of work	Incomplete or flawed body of work or project
Select and combine materials and processes skilfully to give visual form to ideas.	Exceptionally skilful selection and combination of materials and processes Exceptional presentation of ideas in visual form	High quality selection and combination of materials and processes High quality presentation of ideas in visual form	Competent selection and combination of materials and processes Competent presentation of ideas in visual form	Selection and/or combination of materials and processes evident Adequate presentation of ideas in visual form	Selection and/or combination of materials and processes not adequate Presentation of materials and processes not adequate
Develop a studio-based methodology relevant for a specified topic.	An exceptional level of skills & knowledge astutely applied to develop & articulate the project	Very high level of skills & knowledge applied to develop & articulate the project	Capable application of appropriate skills & knowledge to develop and articulate project	Basic skills & knowledge applied to develop and articulate project.	Appropriate skills & knowledge not evident in developing or articulating project
Apply progressive research questions to studio investigations.	Critical analysis applied to relevant materials, processes and concepts. Demonstrates critical evaluation of work to develop research. Key concepts are clearly explained and critically engaged with	Analysis applied to relevant materials, processes and concepts. Demonstrates sound evaluation of work to develop research. Key concepts are explained but not consistently engaged with.	Processes and concepts are described. Attempts made to analysis, attempts made to evaluation work to develop research. Limited explanation of key concepts. Materials, processes are described	Materials, processes are described, limited evaluation of work to develop research, limited description only of key concepts	Concepts, materials, processes are not described, no evaluation of work to develop research, key not explained
Identify and describe relevant historical and contemporary practices and relate them to the projects concerns by integrating studio and contextual investigation/research.	Highly sophisticated engagement with theoretical research. Critically analyses, and evaluates and synthesises with studio outcomes.	High-level reflection on a range of theoretical issues. Critically analyses and evaluates the studio research.	Shows some developing capacity for theoretical concerns, but limited reflection at this stage. Analyses and attempts to evaluates the studio research	Capacity or interest in theoretical engagement at a basic level, needs to expand horizons to effectively analyse outcomes. Does not evaluate the studio research.	Lack of evidence of reflection on broader theoretical issues. No critical analysis or studio research evaluation.
Explain and provide a rationale for the practice-led research project.	Rationale for studio and contextual investigation / research is exceptional.	Rationale for studio and contextual investigation / research is thorough	Rationale for studio and contextual investigation / research is competent.	Rationale for studio and contextual investigation / research is adequate.	Rationale for studio and contextual investigation / research is inadequate

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Online submission via Turnitin

Hardcopy Submission

Examinations will be in the form of studio demonstrations and discussions of progress

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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