This course comprises a supervised research project supported and complemented by class and supervisory discussions. It is designed for high performing students who have taken Policy Research (POGO8096) and wish to undertake extended original research in a selected area of policy and governance. Students will identify their own research topic in discussion with the course convenor, and thereafter frame appropriate research questions and hypotheses or propositions, adopt appropriate research methodology, develop an analytical framework, conduct necessary detailed research, and write an academic research paper -- with supervision being provided by a member of staff. The completed paper is expected to make a contribution to relevant policy and governance debates, while also adding to the academic literature on policy and governance.

The 12 units of this course can be completed either in one semester or split over two semesters (with 6 units in each). Students who wish to undertake only a 6-unit research project should enrol in POGO8035 instead.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Develop a relevant and feasible research question relating to significant problems in policy and governance
   
2. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the key elements of research in policy and governance.
3. Articulate how research and analysis of important issues can inform policy debates and deliberations.
4. Integrate relevant theory and practice through the development of appropriate analytical frameworks to guide and inform empirical studies.
5. Conduct systematically researched, evidence-based policy development, implementation, advice or evaluation to address contemporary public policy challenges.
6. Apply these understandings to the policy and governance context addressed by your specific study.
7. Effectively communicate research findings for scholarly and policy audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

This course comprises a supervised research project supported and complemented by class and supervisory discussions. It is designed for high performing students who have taken Policy Research (POGO8096) and wish to undertake extended original research in a selected area of policy and governance. Students will identify their own research topic in discussion with the course convenor, and thereafter frame appropriate research questions and hypotheses or propositions, adopt appropriate research methodology, develop an analytical framework, conduct necessary detailed research, and write an academic research paper -- with supervision being provided by a member of staff. The completed paper is expected to make a contribution to relevant policy and governance debates, while also adding to the academic literature on policy and governance.

The 12 units of this course can be completed either in one semester or split over two semesters (with 6 units in each). Students who wish to undertake only a 6-unit research project should enrol in POGO8035 instead.

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.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This is an individual, guided research project. Activities and milestones will depend on the individual students' project and will be agreed with the course convenor and project supervisor.	The assessment for the course comprises the 10,000-12,000 word Research Project Paper submitted at the end of the course (80%), supported by submission of smaller assessment tasks to support students to achieve key project milestones (4 activities x 5% each; total: 20%).

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Project Paper	80 %	06/06/2025	27/06/2025	1, 2, 3, 4,5,6,7
Research Project Description	5 %	17/02/2025	03/03/2025	1,2,3,4,7
Research Project Pitch	5 %	24/02/2025	28/02/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Project Management Plan	5 %	10/03/2025	17/03/2025	1,4
Research Project Reflection	5 %	19/05/2025	06/06/2025	3

* 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

Research Project Paper

Final Paper: The final 12,000-word paper is the culmination of the research project course. It will determine the extent of a student's understanding and application of relevant research questions, hypotheses or propositions, and methodology in policy and governance; the need to integrate theory and practice through the development of an appropriate analytical framework; and the need to base analysis on systematic research and evidence leading to compelling arguments and conclusions as informed by the analytical framework.

The ANU College of Asia & the Pacific's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item. 

Assessment Task 2

Research Project Description

Research Project Description: In order to gain entry into the course, students will have completed a Project Description. The project description counts 5% towards the student's overall marks for POGO8135 and is shared with the course convenor and the student's Project Supervisor.

Assessment Task 3

Research Project Pitch

Research Project Pitch: The policy pitch, styled as a '3 Minute Thesis', is a key assessment task as students are required to articulate a proposed research title/topic, project aim, rationale, research questions and methods, and indicate where their research is positioned within the discipline and relevant literature. The research pitch therefore provides students with an important opportunity to think through key aspects of their research design for early feedback (before the first half of the course) from their peers and course convenor and build their oral communication skills.

Assessment Task 4

Project Management Plan

Project Management Plan: This task is designed to help students think through all the key activities they'll need to complete to produce their Research Project early on and to set out a Project Management Timeline that realistically accounts for how long they'll need to complete each task to a quality with which they are happy. While suggested timelines will be provided, it is important for students to think through their own timelines and to agree to a schedule of meetings with their supervisor. Project Management Plans can be completed in the Excel Template provided or a similar template. Most plans will be equivalent to about 500 words.

Assessment Task 5

Research Project Reflection

Research Project Reflection: To help students to revise and finalise their written research paper, they are asked to reflect on four key questions: 1) what is the argument of your paper?; 2) What three main points are you making to support that argument? (this could be in relation to data, findings, theory etc.); 3) What is keeping you up at night in relation to your project?; and 4) What are you really proud of about your project so far?

Reflections will usually total 2 to 5 pages (600-1,000 words), no more. The importance is on the quality of your reflection and the process of completing your reflection, not the length of the written reflection. The ANU College of Asia & the Pacific's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item. 

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

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 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 all ANU students