This course is suitable for Advanced Master-level students wishing to write a thesis in the areas of management, marketing, international business, business information systems, or other relevant business studies discipline. Students in the course discuss their research interests with a potential supervisor, who assists them in identifying a suitable research topic equivalent to 24 units of coursework. With their supervisor's agreement, each student then completes an individual thesis on the agreed topic with a length of 4,000-5,000 words per 6 units of study (i.e. 24 unit course thesis is 20,000 to 25,000 words).

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Problematise within a relevant discipline through both theoretical and empirical critical analysis.
2. Translate the problem into a set of clearly defined research questions to enable a scientific approach.
3. Determine the appropriate research design and methodology to acquire evidence relevant to the research questions.
4. Acquire a body of evidence relevant to the problem by using the appropriate research methods.
5. Critically analyse the gathered evidence using appropriate method of analysis.
6. Synthesise results and/or findings to inform appropriate solutions related to the problem.
7. Consider the theoretical and practical implications of the chose solutions for both the literature and society.
8. Produce a structured written thesis which shows the position of the candidate in relation to the underlying problem.

Research-Led Teaching

As this course requires students to undertake research, it requires in-depth examination of research in disciplines related to the chosen topic. Supervisors will guide this reading and suggest relevant material to students.

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

1. Problematise within a relevant discipline through both theoretical and empirical critical analysis.
2. Translate the problem into a set of clearly defined research questions to enable a scientific approach.
3. Determine the appropriate research design and methodology to acquire evidence relevant to the research questions.
4. Acquire a body of evidence relevant to the problem by using the appropriate research methods.
5. Critically analyse the gathered evidence using appropriate method of analysis.
6. Synthesise results and/or findings to inform appropriate solutions related to the problem.
7. Consider the theoretical and practical implications of the chose solutions for both the literature and society.
8. Produce a structured written thesis which shows the position of the candidate in relation to the underlying problem.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional class costs expected in this course.

Examination Material or equipment

There are no examinations in this course.

Required Resources

No additional required resources in this courses but access to a modern computing device (tablet, laptop or desktop computer) is highly advisable.

Recommended Resources

The course Wattle site and supervisors will provide additional resources as required.

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

This course is for students enrolled in the RSM Master of Management (Advanced) program. Students will apply the evidence-based knowledge gained during their program to undertake an independent research project. The agreed topic is to be determined by the student in consultation with their ANU supervisor. The assessment, resulting from 130 hours of study per 6 units of course unit value, will consist of a series of milestones leading up the final thesis/paper and an oral presentation to an audience of peers and academics.

A typical undertaking of MMIB8006 will be 24 units in one semester. However, 12+12 (or other combination) is recommended for those who have a specialisation split over two semesters, or those who feel they need more than one semester to do the thesis research project.

You must successfully complete 24 units of MMIB8006 if you wish to stay in the RSM Master of Management (Advanced) program.

All student enrolled in MMIB8006 are strongly encouraged to speak to the Course Convenor about their future plans (e.g. PhD studies) as the choice of thesis format (and other factors) will impact ability to meet entrance requirements (depending on choice of institution).

NOTE: Satisfactory completion of this course does not guarantee that you will be accepted into a HDR degree (e.g. PhD) at ANU as these are highly competitive, with merit based entry. Please refer to the RSM PhD Study page for further information.

As this is a research project course, there are no lectures or tutorials. At the start of the semester, supervisor(s) and students will agree to a schedule of frequent (typically weekly) meetings and timetable of deliverables. Typical assessment is shown in Assessment tab. However, there may be adjustments to due date (as authorised by the supervisor and course convenor) depending on the student's individual requirements and circumstances.

To assist with your research training, a variety of other resources will be made available to you in consultation with your supervisor, such as:

• attendance at school research seminars
• invitations to research training workshops
• opportunities to complete research methods courses (e.g. MKTG7060, MGMT8006, MGMT8018, MGMT8019)
• self-study support materials

The nature of the supervisory arrangements will also be agreed at the start of the semester: that is, who the primary and secondary (if any) supervisors will be for each student. You will also communicate your future plans to them.

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/

Extensions to assessment due date

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://rsm.anu.edu.au/study/students/extension-application-procedure

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	As this is a research thesis course, there are no lectures or tutorials. At the start of the semester, supervisor(s) and students will agree to a schedule of frequent (typically weekly) meetings and timetable of deliverables. The student typically has a topic in mind within the disciplinary expertise of the supervisor they would have contacted before hand.	Typical assessment can be found in Assessment tab, however there may be adjustments to form and due date (as authorised by the supervisor and course convenor) depending on the student's individual requirements and circumstances.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

As there are no separate tutorials in this course, the discussion of work will be done during the supervision meetings. Masters thesis students should negotiate with their topic supervisors on a schedule and modality of supervisory meetings.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Proposal	10 %	11/08/2023	25/08/2023	1,2,3
Literature Review / Interim Draft	10 %	22/09/2023	06/10/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Research Presentation	10 %	20/10/2023	03/11/2023	5,6,7
Thesis / Manuscript	70 %	03/11/2023	30/11/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

* 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.

Participation

Contact hours for the course will take the form of periodic meetings between student and supervisor. Participation is expected in all supervision meetings but not assessed. Supervision may be carried out online through ZOOM/TEAMS as seen appropriate by the supervisor in consultation with the candidate. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure regular meeting with the supervisor about their research work, and to inform the course convenor of any issue that may arise during the research.

Examination(s)

There are no examinations for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Research Proposal

Details of Task

Individual assessment - redeemable for 10% (discuss with supervisor)

The specific requirements are to be discussed with your supervisor. The following are a guide to what to expect.

• Outline the significance of the research topic to be investigated and the research questions.
• Find at least TEN research articles from relevant discipline literature that will inform the research. A short summary of each item should be included in an appendix as an annotated bibliography.
• Include a plan for the completion of the project, including planned sources of data and method of analysis.
• Include statements as to (a) whether ethical approval is required, and (b) what resources are required.
• Appropriate referencing (in-text) and in reference list following APA or Harvard system of referencing (or other as permitted by supervisor).

Grading criteria: (a) ability to identify and justify a research question that is relevant; (b) ability to produce a realistic research plan; (c) ability to identify key reference literature, and (d) ability to compose a well-structured piece of written work.

Linked learning outcome: 1,2,3

A template will be provided to give guidance about sections and content to include, as well as formatting.

Word Limit

Suggested length: no more than 20 pages, excluding appendix. (scaled according to thesis type and course unit weighting). Students are required to strictly observe the page limit and conditions attached as part in excess of page limit will neither be read nor assessed.

Submission Method

via Turnitin on Course Wattle site - your supervisor or course convenor will tell you if any other form of submission is also required

Due Date of Assessment

25% progress point (e.g. 5pm Friday Week 3). Mark and feedback from the supervisor will be returned within two weeks of submission.

Assessment Task 2

Literature Review / Interim Draft

Details of Task

Individual assessment - redeemable for 10% (discuss with supervisor)

The interim draft should be largely consistent with the project proposal. It will include: an abstract, justification for the project, the research questions, relevant literature, data collection method and data. Preliminary analysis of data can be included.

Grading criteria: ability to: (a) conduct a thorough critical review of literature relevant to the research topics; (b) frame the project within the relevant literature; (c) justify the research questions; (d) derive theoretical hypotheses or qualitative propositions (as applicable), (e) research design and data collection (f) present data collected (optional and if ready).

Linked learning outcome: 1,2,3,4,5

A template will be provided to give guidance about sections and content to include, as well as formatting. Appropriate referencing (in-text) and in reference list following APA or Harvard system of referencing (or other as permitted by supervisor).

Word Limit

Suggested length: 30 pages (scaled according to thesis type and course unit weighting). Students are required to strictly observe the page limit and conditions attached as part in excess of page limit will neither be read nor assessed.

Submission Method

via Turnitin on Course Wattle site - your supervisor or course convenor will tell you if any other form of submission is also required

Due Date of Assessment

50% progress point (e.g. 5pm Friday Week 7). Mark and feedback will be returned within two weeks of submission.

Assessment Task 3

Research Presentation

Details of Task

Individual assessment - redeemable for 10% (discuss with supervisor)

This is an oral presentation performed in front of at least one supervisor.

The presentation will give the candidate the opportunity to communicate findings to an audience of interested students, academics and peers. Feedback can be obtained to allow the final thesis to be improved.

Grading criteria: (a) professionalism of presentation; (b) suitability for audience that includes peers; (c) credibility of results; (d) ability to defend the research/thesis by answering questions from the faculty and audience presence

Linked research learning outcome: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Time Limit

Suggested time: 30 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions (scaled according to thesis type and course unit weighting). Students are required to strictly adhere to the time limit suggested as they may be stopped during presentation by the moderator.

Due Date of Assessment

75% progress point (e.g. on or before 5pm Friday Week 11). Mark and feedback will be returned within two weeks of submission.

Assessment Task 4

Thesis / Manuscript

Details of Task

Individual assessment - worth 70-100% (depending on whether previous sections have been redeemed)

The research thesis/manuscript (hereafter just referred to as thesis) is completed over the 24 units and provides evidence of the student’s ability to undertake original research under supervision. It represents the most significant piece of research and writing completed in a postgraduate coursework career, and typically accounts for a semester's worth of study. It is a form of apprentice’s ‘masterpiece’ in which students demonstrate their level of comprehension of a body of academic knowledge and the scholarly skills used in the discipline in which the research is embedded. It is also an important indicator of the student’s ability to take part, at a junior level, in the discourses of the discipline.

Ideally, the thesis acts as an important indicator of the student’s:

• knowledge and understanding of the factual, theoretical and conceptual content of the discipline;
• ability, under guidance, to apply that knowledge to identify and to resolve existing problems occurring within the discipline, to identify new problems worthy of examining, and to identify and use new data and hypotheses for those purposes;
• proficiency in the research processes and methods used in the discipline;
• ability to engage in forms and styles of critical and analytical discourse used in the discipline;
• ability to research, marshal evidence, and to argue (based on critical discussion and methodical analysis) a case persuasively, coherently and cogently, in a simple, direct and positive style of English expression that allows the reader to follow the argument without undue difficulty; and
• future potential to progress to a higher degree involving significant amounts of original research.

Further detail on the thesis will be given to enrolled students by email and by their supervisors. Two examiners within the discipline group or domain on- or off-campus will be identified by the supervisor and/or the course convenor.

Examiners assess the standard of thesis against the following:

• Statement of study focus, problem/research objectives and research questions
• Appropriateness of the title: does it accurately reflect the content
• Review of relevant literature
• Development of propositions/hypotheses
• Research design and data
• Description of research methodology
• Analysis and discussion of results
• Acknowledgement of limitations of the study
• Conclusion, recommendations and implications
• Logical argument/Structure of thesis
• Clarity of presentation

Submission Method

via Turnitin on Course Wattle site - your supervisor or course convenor will tell you if any other form of submission is also required

Due Date of Assessment

100% progress point (e.g. 5pm Friday, first week of exam period). Mark and feedback will be returned when final grades are released.

Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Deputy Director (Education) in consultation with the Course Convenor. Exceptional circumstances may include:

• Prolonged periods of illness during the candidature;
• Serious illness in the month prior to the due date;
• Inability of the supervisor to provide timely advice or feedback owing to the supervisor’s illness, death, unexpected extended absence (other than on Sabbatical leave, as this will be known prior to the commencement of the thesis), or resignation from ANU;
• Serious illness or death of a family member or close friend; or
• Unexpected significant caring responsibilities for a family member.

Non-acceptable grounds for extension include:

• Computer malfunction (students should implement risk management strategies);
• Loss of documents or data (students should implement risk management strategies);
• Difficulties in obtaining data;
• English-language difficulties; or
• Work commitments.

Further information will be provided by the thesis supervisor and on the course Wattle page at the beginning of the semester. 

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 Learning Platforms website.

You will submit your thesis by emailing the final copy to your thesis supervisor.

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.

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://rsm.anu.edu.au/study/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 thesis 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 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of your thesis 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