This course will provide students with an introduction to transdisciplinary research methods as they relate to the fields of science communication and engagement.  This will include, qualitative and mixed methods approaches to data collection and analysis as well as methods of data presentation and co-design. The course has been structured to provide students with an in-depth theoretical understanding of each research method, in order to gain experience in designing research projects in the fields of science communication and engagement. The course will also introduce students to the critical ethical considerations associated with undertaking scientific research.

The course is particularly suitable for students in the Master of Science Communication program (MSCOM); it may also be suitable for postgraduates in other disciplines who would benefit from the overview of science communication research methods.

This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically position research within key epistemological and philosophical traditions, and evaluate the relevance of transdisciplinary approaches to contemporary science communication.
2. Assess the rigour and suitability of diverse research methodologies and methods used in science communication scholarship.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges (both logistical and ethical) associated with applying a diverse range of research methods to science communication, and strategies for overcoming these challenges.
4. Understand aspects of positionality and subjectivity in scholarly research.
5. Develop skills to design a detailed research proposal, applying principles of research design, data collection, analysis, and communication of findings.

Examination Material or equipment

N/A

Recommended Resources

There are no prescribed texts for this course, and reading materials will be provided for each session. However, for students seeking relevant material to support their learning, the following texts are suggested:

Luker, K (2010) Salsa dancing into the social sciences research in an age of info-glut. Cambridge, MA and London, England. Harvard University Press. Available online through the ANU Library.

Bryman A (2016) Social Research Methods. 5th ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Available at the ANU Chifley Library.

Recommended student system requirements

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	Course overview + Lecture on Scicom and introduction to interdisciplinary thinking
2	Philosophical framework of social research (Dr Rini Astuti) + Literature review
3	Introduction to qualitative data collection - interviews, ethnography and case studies
4	Introduction to historical and archival research	Assessment1: Written critical appraisal of a science communication article, as well as a comparative evaluation of the article's appraisal generated by ChatGPT
5	Introduction to qualitative data collection and analysis: Reflexive thematic analysis and Discourse Analysis
6	Science and society theories: Science and Policy	Assessment 2: Oral quiz #1
7	Introduction to mixed methods
8	Introduction to quantitative methods
9	Research ethics & research positionality/reflexivity
10	Science and society theories: Science, Society and Technology
11	Public engagement and co-design approaches	Assessment 3: Research proposal
12	Course review and final research proposal	Assessment 4: Human ethics application and Assessment 5: Oral Quiz #2

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
Critical appraisal of a science communication article	10 %	20/03/2026	27/03/2026	1,2,3,4
Oral quiz #1	15 %	01/04/2026	21/04/2026	1,2,3,4
Writing and designing research proposal	40 %	22/05/2026	05/06/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Human ethics application	20 %	26/05/2026	05/06/2026	3,4,5
Oral quiz #2	15 %	27/05/2026	05/06/2026	1,2,3,4,5

* 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Critical appraisal of a science communication article

Written critical appraisal of a science communication article, as well as a comparative evaluation of the article's appraisal generated by ChatGPT. This assessment is designed to develop students’ skills in critical science communication analysis, comparative reasoning, and reflexive engagement with generative AI tools. Through independently appraising a science communication article and critically evaluating an AI-generated appraisal of the same article, students will strengthen their ability to analyse framing, assess societal implications, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of AI in knowledge production.

Students are required to produce a 1,000-word written critical appraisal that includes:

• An independent critical analysis of a selected science communication article
• A documented ChatGPT-generated appraisal of the same article
• A systematic comparison between the student’s analysis and the AI output
• A reflexive and ethical commentary on the use of generative AI in science communication analysis

There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit (5% of the overall mark).

The marking criteria for this assessment task are:

• Critical appraisal of the article
• Clear identification and analysis of the article’s problem framing, solution framing, and societal implications
• Demonstrated critical engagement with science communication concepts and course materials
• Comparative evaluation (student analysis vs ChatGPT output)
• Systematic and thoughtful comparison between the student’s appraisal and the AI-generated appraisal
• Clear identification of similarities, differences, omissions, and divergences in framing, interpretation, and depth
• Reflexive and ethical commentary on AI use
• Insightful reflection on the strengths, limitations, and risks of using generative AI in science communication analysis
• Demonstrated ethical awareness of AI’s role in knowledge production, authority, and responsibility
• Structure and coherence
• Logical organisation of ideas with clear progression between sections
• Effective integration of analysis, comparison, and reflexive commentary
• Clarity and academic expression
• Clear and appropriate academic writing style
• Accurate referencing and citation practices
• Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Assessment Task 2

Oral quiz #1

The oral quiz is a 20-minute assessment designed to assess students’ understanding of the core research methods covered in the first half of the semester. It is held over Zoom and recorded. Through a series of structured questions, students will demonstrate their comprehension of key methodological concepts, research design, qualitative and/or quantitative approaches (as relevant to the course), ethical considerations, and the logic of method selection in science communication research. The oral format allows for direct assessment of students’ conceptual understanding, ability to explain methods in their own words, and capacity to apply methodological reasoning to practical research scenarios.

This assessment will be conducted as an individual oral quiz via Zoom.

• Each student will participate in a 20-minute recorded session with the examiner.
• Students will be invited to select from a set of available time slots. The Zoom session will be recorded for assessment and moderation purposes.
• During the quiz, students will be asked six to eight questions covering the core research methods introduced in the first half of the course. Questions are designed to assess students’ understanding of key methodological concepts, research design logic, ethical considerations, and the application of methods in science communication research.
• Students are expected to respond verbally and explain their answers in their own words. No formal presentation or slides are required.

The marking criteria for this assessment are:

• Understanding of research methods
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of core research methods and concepts in science communication research
• Research design logic and method justification
• Explains how research questions, methods, and data are logically connected
• Provides clear justification for the selection of appropriate research methods
• Application of methods to research scenarios
• Applies methodological concepts to hypothetical research examples
• Demonstrates sound methodological reasoning when responding to scenario-based questions
• Clarity of oral communication
• Explains ideas clearly and accurately using appropriate disciplinary language
• Communicates in a structured and coherent manner within the oral format.

Assessment Task 3

Writing and designing research proposal

Writing a research proposal will encourage you to clarify your objectives and key ideas. It will enable you to think about each stage of the research process so that you can develop a clear and detailed plan. It will also help you to foresee problems that you may encounter during your research and allow you to think about how you will manage them when they arise.

The research proposal will help you:

• Propose a research project that will result in a significant contribution to knowledge
• Formulate a detailed plan of the project, including methodological approach and theoretical framework
• Ensure that the proposed research is achievable within the required time and with the available resources for your degree.

The required content and structure of a research proposal varies from one field of study to another. In general, however, a research proposal consists of the following elements:

• Background to the topic, significance, and research problem
• Research aims and questions
• Review of relevant literature
• Study/project design
• Timeline
• Expected outcomes/impact.

This assessment item is designed to develop your skills in developing and writing a strong research proposal. Specifically, your research proposal should include:

1. A title that outlines the intent of the proposal
2. The background to the topic, including significance of the research problem. In this section, it is important to situate your questions within the broader literature on the topic (i.e. incorporate a literature review).
3. The overarching research questions, and specific study aims and objectives
4. Proposed study design, including specification of methods which will be used to address the research question, and a justification for the methods you have selected
5. Potential limitations of your proposed study design
6. Type of data that will be collected/generated and method for analysing your dataset
7. Reference list

This task has a maximum total word count limit of 4,000 words. There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit (5% of the overall mark).

The marking criteria for this assessment task are:

• Research context and framing: effectively frame research problem and background; concisely articulate research aims and questions
• Engagement with literature: identify, engage with, evaluate and/or synthesize literature and readings relevant to the topic
• Research design: selection of appropriate research methods; demonstrated understanding of relevant types of data; clear and feasible timeline; thoughtful consideration of expected outcomes/impact
• Structure: effectively organize and order arguments, ideas and information to produce a logical flow
• Clarity and expression: appropriate language and referencing conventions used; grammar, spelling, punctuation.

Assessment Task 4

Human ethics application

Research involving human participants requires Human Research Ethics approval prior to data collection. This assessment task will help students develop a deeper understanding of Human Research Ethics protocols and will provide them with practical experience in completing an ANU Human Research Ethics application. Students will be required to complete an ANU ethics application form, including a participant information sheet. Students who already have a project that involves human participants will create an ethics application for their project. For those whose research does not involve human participants or do not have a project yet, a project will be provided for students to base their ethics application on. Students must demonstrate an awareness of the risks associated with their research (i.e. risks to human participants) and the types of strategies that can be used to mitigate those risks. This task has a maximum total word count limit of 1000 words.There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit (5% of the overall mark).

The marking criteria for this assessment task are:

• Comprehension: thorough and nuanced understanding of all aspects of completing a Human Research Ethics application
• Analysis and reflection: evidence of careful consideration given to relevant research ethical issues and concerns
• Structure: concisely and effectively organize and order information in a logical way
• Clarity and expression: appropriate language used; grammar, spelling, punctuation.

Assessment Task 5

Oral quiz #2

The oral quiz is a 20-minute assessment designed to assess students’ understanding of the core research methods covered in the second half of the semester. It is held over Zoom and recorded. Through a series of structured questions, students will demonstrate their comprehension of key methodological concepts, research design, qualitative and/or quantitative approaches (as relevant to the course), ethical considerations, and the logic of method selection in science communication research. The oral format allows for direct assessment of students’ conceptual understanding, ability to explain methods in their own words, and capacity to apply methodological reasoning to practical research scenarios.

This assessment will be conducted as an individual oral quiz via Zoom.

• Each student will participate in a 20-minute recorded session with the examiner.
• Students will be invited to select from a set of available time slots. The Zoom session will be recorded for assessment and moderation purposes.
• During the quiz, students will be asked six to eight questions covering the core research methods introduced in the second half of the course. Questions are designed to assess students’ understanding of key methodological concepts, research design logic, ethical considerations, and the application of methods in science communication research.
• Students are expected to respond verbally and explain their answers in their own words. No formal presentation or slides are required.

The marking criteria for this assessment are:

• Understanding of research methods
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of core research methods and concepts in science communication research
• Research design logic and method justification
• Explains how research questions, methods, and data are logically connected
• Provides clear justification for the selection of appropriate research methods
• Application of methods to research scenarios
• Applies methodological concepts to hypothetical research examples
• Demonstrates sound methodological reasoning when responding to scenario-based questions
• Clarity of oral communication
• Explains ideas clearly and accurately using appropriate disciplinary language
• Communicates in a structured and coherent manner within the oral format.

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

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.

Returning Assignments

Assessment items submitted through Turnitin will be returned through the system with electronic comments.  

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission of assignments will not be permitted.

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