This course is available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. All students participate in interactive, real-time classes.
The course EMDV8066 Research Project provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own independent research, closely guided and supported by READ academic staff. Students investigate topics relevant to environmental management, development or climate change issues.
The topic and basic approach of the research effort is set out in semester 1, through in EMDV8008 Research Proposal. The main activities for students undertaking Research Project in semester 2 are to embark upon a process of data collection (which may involve fieldwork), to analyse primary data and/or other information from their research, to re-build a conceptual framework for understanding that information, and to situate this within the scholarly literature. Students engage in collaborative and peer review workshops, to refine and polish their writing and analysis. Students present their research, in both written form through an 8,000-10,000 word final research paper, and in oral form through a public presentation to the department.
The students' research projects are supervised by the Course Convenor and one or more specific supervisors for each student. Students need to have achieved a distinction grade or better in EMDV8008 Research Proposal and in EMDV8102 Research Methods for Environmental Management in the first semester (or equivalent) to enrol in EMDV8066 Research Project in second semester.
The successful completion of this 12-unit research course, completed in conjunction with EMDV 8102 Research Methods and EMDV 8008 Research Proposal, can serve as the springboard for careers in advanced environmental policy analysis or doctoral studies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Choose and apply relevant aspects of research design, methods and research methodology to investigate important questions in environmental management, development or climate change studies.
- Collect and analyse data in an ethical way, following a robust study design.
- Develop and present a scholarly argument based upon original research findings and analysis.
- Communicate the results of research clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the contribution of the project by situating the findings within relevant scholarly literature.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
This course is a guided independent learning course where students are expected to collect original research data.
Other Information
The course is taught with a combination of refresher lectures (on research design, analysis, writing papers), guest presentations, small group meetings and writing workshops. The course begins with a refresher lecture on research principles followed by a refresher lecture on data analysis and preparing papers. The course continues through guest presentations into facilitated writing workshops. The latter part of the course focuses on writing workshops, with peer review and discussion of of research findings and draft papers, and student presentations. The final assignment is a research paper describing and discussing the findings of the student's research project.
Indicative Assessment
- 2 Short talks on research progress (5 minutes each) (5) [LO 1,2,3]
- 2 Peer review talks (5 minutes each) (5) [LO 3,4]
- Draft outline of the research paper (1,000-1,500 words) (5) [LO 1,2,3]
- Oral presentation (15 minutes plus 5 minutes response to questions) (15) [LO 3,4,5]
- Final written research paper (9,000-10,000 words including references) (70) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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.
Workload
The standard workload for a 12 unit course is 260 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
The student must have completed EMDV 8102 Research Methods and EMDV 8008 Research Proposal, with a 70% average, to enroll in EMDV 8066 Research Project.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Crawford School of Public Policy to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for EMDV8066. The course requires students to undertake an updated literature review (largely completed in Research Proposal). Students are expected to find and access the literature that is relevant to their research topic. Additional advice on reading materials will be provided by the Course Convenor and the Research Supervisor
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 12 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7187 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |