SS5103 Post Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences

10 Aug 2020

SS5103 Research methods for social sciences

1.1 Assessment tasks

A scaffolded learning approach is taken in this subject: Each assessment task builds the foundations for the following assessment task.

SS5103 Post Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences

ASSESSMENT TASK: ** HURDLE REQUIREMENT- MUST BE COMPLETED

Outline of Proposed Research Project	Link to Subject Outcome/s	Related Content (Readings, learning activities, seminars)	Required Format for Submission
One A4 page only.	Students will apply a high level of responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development;	1. Read TEXT Chapter 1- Do the writing exercise in text, p 21 -number 22. Read ahead- TEXT Chapter 23. Find and read several articles on your topic	This is a non- graded requirement to continue in the subject

Group or individual	Individual
Weighting	Hurdle
Due date	10^th August 2020

DESCRIPTION: One-page outline of topic

To focus your thinking on the research project that you propose to develop during this subject, you are asked to write a short outline of your proposed research project – One A4 page only. It should include: a title, topic, a research question or hypothesis, a possible methodology/method, any ethical issues you think might arise and how data could be collected. Include several references. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the lecturer about their proposed topic if they need support to develop their ideas before submitting the one-page Hurdle. Students will receive feedback on their Hurdle task (non-graded).

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Assessment 1 – Annotated Bibliography	Subject Learning Outcome/s	Related Content (Readings, learning activities, tutorials, lectures)	Required Format for Submission
This important first step in the process of producing your research proposal is to Review relevant literature and develop an annotated bibliography	You should be able to:· appraise and critique highly relevant, topic-related literature;· demonstrate knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies.	1. Read Chapter 2 of the textbook.2. Do Writing Exercises text p 46. Number 1 and 33. Find and read articles/book chapters on your chosen topic(12 articles).	Submit to Safe Assign on LearnJCU

Group or individual	Individual
Weighting	30%
Due date	31^st August 2020

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: DESCRIPTION

You will search for, collect and read 12 articles/book chapters relevant to your own research topic (These 12 *publications will be in addition to any supplied resources in SS5103). The annotated bibliography will consist of 12 entries, each with a correct reference for the article (APA 7^th), and a clear, concise, original summary of each article (approx. one page, i.e. 12 pages) – Must include a clear explanation of its usefulness to your own proposed research project (why/how is it relevant to chosen topic). Publications in the collection will be across a time range up to the present. You must include a majority of articles and books/book chapters that report on research findings in your proposed topic area. Include one/two articles that help inform your design/methodology/method for research on your chosen topic. Target literature in your discipline but broader literature also useful.

*Websites – for example Government Depts – often can provide links to useful academic publications but websites themselves are not publications.

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: CRITERIA SHEET Annotated Bibliography (30%)

CONTENT (60%)
Original summarises 12 academic articles/book chapters. ¾ to one page each. Summaries are clear and concise (30%).	HD	D	C	P	N	Did not summarise 12 articles/book chapters. Summaries are not original, clear and concise.
Articles are highly relevant. Critique the usefulness ofthe summarised articles for their proposed research project (30%).	HD	D	C	P	N	Articles are not highly relevant. Very limited critique of the usefulness of the summarised articles for their proposed research project.


ORGANISATION & PRESENTATION ( 20%)
Demonstrates well a logical flow of ideas and evidence of thought in presenting this collection. Collection contains literature across a relevant time span up to the present time (20%).	HD	D	C	P	N	Did not demonstrate a logical flow of ideas and evidence of thought in presenting this collection. Collection does not contain literature across a relevant time span up to present.
WRITING SKILLS & REFERENCING (20 %)
Well-written Annotated Bibliography (10%).	HD	D	C	P	N	Not a well-written Annotated Bibliography
Demonstrates consistent use of APA 7th (10%).	HD	D	C	P	N	Does not demonstrate consistent use of APA 7th

Note that no individual result on an assessment task should be taken as an indication of the final grade for this subject. Official subject grades are released after the exam period on scheduled release dates (see https://www.jcu.edu.au/students/important-dates ), through StudentsOnline or eStudent. Students should also be aware that raw scores may be scaled prior to the awarding of an overall grade.

ASSESSMENT TASK 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Assessment 2– Literature Review	Subject Learning Outcome/s	Related Content (Readings, learning activities, tutorials, lectures)	Required Format for Submission
The next step is to develop your annotated bibliography into a well-written, well-argued literature review. (This review will contribute largely to the literature section of your Research Proposal- Ass. 4).	Students should be able to:appraise and critique highly relevant, topic- related literature to create a comprehensive literature review;integrate understanding of issues encountered when researching minority/disadvantaged groups or sensitive topics;apply a high level of responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development;	1. READ Chapters 2 (revisit). 3 & 4 of the textbook2. Read readings on your topic	Submit through Safe Assign on LearnJCU

Group or individual	Individual
Weighting	20%
Due date	30th September 2020

ASSESSMENT TASK 2: DESCRIPTION- Literature Review

Students will use the resources gathered for the Annotated bibliography (articles/book chapters), to develop a well- written, well- argued, persuasive literature review. This literature review will form the literature review section of your final assessment task- the Research Proposal. The literature review is based on – but is not the same as the Annotated Bibliography. Students will produce a well-crafted, logical, flowing review of the chosen literature that discusses topic areas, and identifies gaps in the literature that your research project will seek to address if the research was undertaken (at a later date). You can include some additional/different references to those used in the Annotated Bibliography- i.e. you may have found some additional publications.

CONTENT (50%)Literature chosen is appropriate and highly relevant to the topic, + methodology (brief) (15%)HDDCPNLiterature chosen is not appropriate or highly relevant to the topic, did not identify methodology

Word length: 2000 words. Please identify your word length on the Literature Review title page. ASSESSMENT TASK 2: CRITERIA SHEET Literature Review (20%)


Integrate understanding of issues encountered when researching minority/disadvantaged groups or sensitivities as related to your topic (25%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Did not integrate understanding of issues encountered when researching minority/disadvantaged groups or sensitivities as related to your topic
Logical presentation and argument, key terminology identified & defined; gaps in the literature have been identified (10%)	HD	D	C	P	N	No logical presentation and argument, key terminology not identified & defined; gaps in the literature not identified.
ORGANISATION & PRESENTATION ( 35%)
Topic focus presented clearly, well-supported by the literature (25%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Topic focus not presented clearly; not well-supported by the literature;
Well-written, clear, appropriate spelling and grammar (10%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Not well-written, not clear, not appropriate spelling and grammar
WRITING SKILLS & REFERENCING ( 15%)
Demonstrates consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA 7^th), incl correct in-text citation, and reference list (15%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Does not demonstrate consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA 7^th) in text or in Reference List

Note that no individual result on an assessment task should be taken as an indication of the final grade for this subject. Official subject grades are released after the exam period on scheduled release dates (see https://www.jcu.edu.au/students/important-dates through StudentsOnline or eStudent. Students should also be aware that raw scores may be scaled prior to the awarding of an overall grade.

ASSESSMENT TASK 3: POSTER PRESENTATION

Assessment 3 – Poster Presentation	Subject Outcome/s	Related Content (Readings, learning activities, tutorials,lectures)	Required Format for Submission
You are required to develop a poster presentation. Poster will be one slide- include title, topic, brief abstract, literature review (very brief with main points only) methodology/method, ethical considerations. Produce a voice file 5-6 mins with the slide to present your poster and research project.Additional slide can contain references.	demonstrate and apply an advanced integrated body of knowledge for research in the social sciences including ethics, theories, literature, methodologies and methods;apply a high level of responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development;demonstrate knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies	1. The textbook2. Additional readings3. Lecture content4. Previous pieces of assessment	Upload into Discussion Board a poster slide presentation with voice recording

Group or individual	Individual
Weighting	20%
Due date	14^th October 2020

POSTER

You are required to transform your developing research proposal into a poster presentation. Powerpoint poster or other common use similar technologies can be used to present your electronic poster. The Poster should include images/colour, title, abstract, literature review (brief points) methodology/ method/aims. See examples of academic posters in folders week 11 from previous years. You must insert a voice file to present your poster design and content. References can be included on a second slide. See Instructional

recording in Assessment folder on how to submit poster with voice file to both Discussion Board poster forum and to Assignment 3 dropbox.

NB: You will also engage with other students and their posters by providing comment on at least two other students’ posters in the Discussion Board poster forum- for example offering useful, supportive comment on the topic, method and design.

ASSESSMENT TASK 3: CRITERIA SHEET Poster Presentation (20%)

CONTENT (60%)
Student presents information about the Research topic, literature on the poster coherently, clearly, creatively and concisely (35%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Does not present information about the research topic, literature, methodology coherently, clearly, creative and concisely.
Student presents a clear understanding of the proposed research topic focus in a voice file 5-6 mins (25%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Student does not present a clear understanding of the proposed research topic focus in voice file; voice file missing/unable to be accessed, over time limit
PRESENTATION ( 20%)
Poster design is creative/attractive and design consistent with topic and methodology (20%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Design is not creative/attractive, not consistent with topic and methodology
WRITING SKILLS & REFERENCING ( 20%)
Well-written, clear, with appropriate spelling and grammar on the poster (15%)Demonstrates consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA 7th) (5%)	HD	D	C	P	N	Does not produce well-written, clear, appropriate spelling (mistakes evident) on the posterDoes not demonstrate consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA)

Note that no individual result on an assessment task should be taken as an indication of the final grade for this subject. Official subject grades are released after the exam period on scheduled release dates (see https://www.jcu.edu.au/students/important-dates through StudentsOnline or eStudent. Students should also be aware that raw scores may be scaled prior to the awarding of an overall grade.

ASSESSMENT TASK 4: RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Assessment 4– Research Proposal

Subject Learning Outcome/s

Related Content (Readings, learning activities, tutorials,lectures)

Required Format for Submission

As the final step in this process of scaffolded assessment tasks in this subject you are asked to produce a Research Proposal. It will include title, introduction, literature, aims, research question or hypothesis being investigated, the methodology to be used, ethical issues/considerations and possible methods for analysing and reporting the data collected.

*demonstrate and apply an advanced integrated body of knowledge for research in the social sciences including ethics, theories, literature, methodologies and methods;*appraise and critique highly relevant, topic-related literature to create a comprehensive literature review;*design, plan and execute a well-written, substantial research proposal;*integrate understanding of issues encountered when researching minority/disadvantaged groups or sensitive topics;*apply a high level of responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development;*demonstrate knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies

1. Chapters of the textbook2. Lecture content3. Own topic and methodology-related reading

Submit through Safe Assign on LearnJCU

Group or individual	Individual
Weighting	30%
Due date	30^th October 2020

ASSESSMENT TASK 4: DESCRIPTION- Research Proposal

As the final step in the scaffolded assessment tasks in this subject – you will produce a research proposal. The Proposal will be a written culmination of all previous work and feedback in SS5103, and will include title, introduction, literature review, methodology, methods, ethical considerations, limitations, a research question(s) or hypothesis being investigated, study aims, sample, and possible methods for analysing data. Make clear your discipline focus/area. See criteria below.

CONTENT (60%)Introduces the research project, links it to the existingliterature and identifies relevant research questions/hypotheses and aims of the research (10%)HDDCPNDoes not introduce the research project, link it to theexisting literature and identify relevant research questions/hypotheses and aims of the research.Describes any possible ethical issues and how they will be addressed (10%) Does not describe any possible ethical issues and how they will be addressed.The topic of the proposed research has been clearly linked to the student’s discipline area (10%) The topic of the proposed research has not been clearly linked to the student’s discipline area.Describes the proposed research methodology. Identifies any possible problems/limitations and howthey will be addressed (10%) Does not describe the proposed research methodology or identify any possible problems/limitations and howthey will be addressed.Describes the possible ways the data may be analysed and presented (10%) Does not describe the possible ways the data may be analysed and presented.The entire proposal is an amalgamation of all previous assessment pieces in SS5103, incorporating lecturer feedback (10%) Limited proposal/ amalgamation of all previous assessment pieces in SS5103 incorporating lecturer feedbackORGANISATION & PRESENTATION ( 20%)Demonstrates well a logical flow of ideas and evidence of considered thought. Identifies gaps in current literature/knowledge (20%) Does not demonstrate a logical flow of ideas and evidence of thought.WRITING SKILLS & REFERENCING ( 20%)

Word length: approx. Max 2500 words- Please identify word length on title page ASSESSMENT TASK 4: CRITERIA SHEET Research Proposal (30%)

Well-written with correct spelling and grammar. Word length Max 2500 words (10%)						Not well-written with correct spelling and grammar, incorrect word length
Demonstrates consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA 7^th) (10%)						Does not demonstrate consistent use of an appropriate referencing system (APA 7^th)

Note that no individual result on an assessment task should be taken as an indication of the final grade for this subject. Official subject grades are released after the exam period on scheduled release dates (see https://www.jcu.edu.au/students/important-dates through StudentsOnline or eStudent. Students should also be aware that raw scores may be scaled prior to the awarding of an overall grade.