This course assists CSRM students in the design and early research stages of their HDR thesis. Participants will be guided by their Primary Supervisor and Advisory Panel.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- develop a research question which is suitable for an ANU PhD or MPHIL;
- summarise the existing literature and situate their research questions within this literature;
- identify an appropriate research methodology to answer their question and prepare an appropriate ethics application;
- construct a feasible timeline and budget; and
- explain the research project to senior academic staff and peers.
Indicative Assessment
- Title and research question (max 500 words) (10) [LO 1]
- Complete draft literature review (5,000-10,000 words) (25) [LO 2]
- Complete draft methodology, including draft ethics application if required (5,000-10,000 words) (45) [LO 3]
- Timeline and budget (length as appropriate) (10) [LO 4]
- Thesis outline presentation (10) [LO 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
There will be a small number of lectures on specific topics (e.g. overview of requirements, ethics, how to undertake a literature review, project planning, and presentation skills) of 8 hours in total. It is expected that students will meet with their supervisor for 1 hour per week. Students will be expected to spend 240 hours on self guided study.
Inherent Requirements
N/A
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
None
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:
- 14
- 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $8640 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $12720 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8396 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |