This course aims to critically evaluate both Pacific and inclusive research methodologies in Pacific contexts. We consider key questions that frame stages of research, from identifying who we are in the research process (positionality) and the plethora of sources we can use to build our research programs, to the groups we wish to learn from and the most contextually appropriate methods we should adopt in collecting data. We engage with key texts and methodologies relating to Pacific research, including Talanoa (typically associated with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga), Kaupapa Maori (research by Maori, for Maori and with Maori), the Tivaevae model (from Cook Islands) and emergent Melanesian research methodologies. In parallel, the course will consider strategies to strengthen inclusivity in both the methods and content of research in the Pacific, to ensure the voices of women, people with disability, the politically marginalised and those living in remote communities are heard. Throughout the course, we will discuss how indigenous paradigms relate to inclusive research, western research models, and university systems.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political context and intersectionality in the Pacific.
2. Identify the key features of Pacific research methodologies and inclusive research methodologies.
3. Analyse the relevance and appropriateness of inclusive principles to Pacific research methodologies.
4. Critically reflect on Pacific and inclusive methodological choices and practices relevant to Pacific contexts.
5. Design an annotated outline for a research project that incorporates Pacific research methodologies and inclusive research methodologies.

Research-Led Teaching

Sessions will be delivered by experts in the subject matter per topic.

The course will be delivered alongside the delivery of the Pacific Research Colloquium | Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs (anu.edu.au) whereby students enrolled into the course will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from their Pacific counterparts who are experts in their respective fields from the Pacific region on how research processes occur on the ground within their respective contexts. The sessions for the course will be delivered over five days from the 25th to the 29th of November and the presentations (Assessment 2) will occur on the 3rd and 4th of December.

Field Trips

No field trips will be undertaken.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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 the course
2	Positionality & Identity: locating research positionality
3	Spectrum of research: ontologies, epistemologies, methodologies
4	Pacific research approaches: the published and unpublished research approaches
5	Morality of research: Critical Indigenous and inclusive research ethics
6	General qualitative data collection methods
7	Pacific Qualitative data collection methods: Tok Stori, Talanoa, Talanga
8	General quantitative data collection methods and analysis: Pacific approaches to counting, the way we view population statistics.
9	Critical qualitative data analysis: interpretation and synthesis from an Indigenous and inclusive approach.
10	Critical inclusive research practice: levels of analysis and identifying an inclusive problem
11	Archival research methods: identifying and examining Pacific sources in the libraries and archives
12	Ethnography experiences in the Pacific

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assessment 1 (30%) Research Proposal	30 %	29/11/2024	13/12/2024	1,2,5
Assessment 2 (30%) Individual Presentation	30 %	04/12/2024	13/12/2024	1,2,3
Assessment 3 (30%) Final Research Proposal	30 %	06/12/2024	17/01/2025	1,2,3,4
Assessment 4: Participation (10%)	10 %	13/12/2024	13/12/2024	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 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment 1 (30%) Research Proposal

You are required to develop a draft research proposal. You are free to use the same research abstract that was submitted as part of your PRC application, or you can develop a new research proposal. This will be your first draft of the paper, in which feedback will be provided by your allocated mentor from DPA after you submit.  

Feedback will be provided by your mentor in due course. The assignment assesses the LOs 1,2&5.  

Please ensure the research proposal includes the following:  

• Title 
• Aims & objectives 
• Background (rationale, context) 
• Research design (methodology, data collection methods, data analysis) 
• Dissemination 
• Ethical considerations 
• References 

Further refinement of the proposal taking into consideration mentor feedback and learnings throughout the course will be due at the end of the PRC program (see Assessment 3). The word limit is 1500 words (+/-10%) excluding in-text references and reference list.  

You are free to use any referencing style (APA7th, Vancouver, Chicago etc.) as long as it is consistent throughout the paper.   

Assessment Task 2

Assessment 2 (30%) Individual Presentation

You are to present your research proposal which critically demonstrates how a Pacific methodology can be critically applied to inform the overall research. The assignment assesses LOs 1,2&3. The presentation should be no longer then 10 minutes maximum. You will also be marked based on how you respond to questions and or comments from your peers in the class (there will be time for a 10-minute Q&A after your presentation). Ensure to develop accompanying PowerPoint slides to compliment your presentation. The PowerPoint slides are due on the 3rd of December by 9AM.

You are welcome to either present live or pre-record your presentation and play it during class (on the 3rd or 4th of December).

Please ensure to provide in-text references within the PowerPoint slides where relevant. You are free to use any referencing style (APA7th, Vancouver, Chicago etc.) as long as it is consistent throughout the PowerPoint.

Assessment Task 3

Assessment 3 (30%) Final Research Proposal

This assessment piece will be a refined research proposal in which course content and learnings throughout the course must be critically applied in the final research paper. The assignment assesses LOs 1-4.  

The final research proposal will be due on Thursday 5th December. The overall word count should be no longer then 2000 words (+/- 10%) excluding references.  

Please ensure to incorporate sources that have been discussed during the course, and or other critical Pacific and inclusive methodological sources outside of the course readings. You are free to use any referencing style (APA7th, Vancouver, Chicago etc.) as long as it is consistent throughout the final paper.

Assessment Task 4

Assessment 4: Participation (10%)

You will be assessed based on your critical engagement and participation in class during the sessions and presentations. This assignment assesses LOs 1-4.

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

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students