HSC6060: Research Project Design Assessment

Assignment Overview

Brief Task Description

With guidance from a member of the academic staff as supervisor, you will plan and design a research proposal for an independent, substantial research-based project, capstone experience, or piece of scholarship that relates to your overall program of study, discipline, or area of practice.

The two written planning documents will be progressively combined and refined into a coherent research proposal for submission at the end of the semester.

Rationale for Assessment Task

An important outcome of Masters level study is that learners should be able to design and execute independent projects that consolidate, build upon, and/or apply the capabilities developed through their program of study relative to their workplace.

This assessment will provide the opportunity to further develop skills in:

• Advanced information retrieval

• Critical analysis

• Synthesis of a relevant body of literature

• Academic writing and argumentation

Successful completion contributes to the USQ graduate attributes by preparing you to be well-informed, critical and creative thinkers, and effective communicators and collaborators.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

On successful completion, students should be able to:

CLO1: Design and plan an independent research or scholarly project:

• Demonstrate advanced information retrieval and synthesis of literature

• Understand current knowledge and recent developments in the field

• Generate a focused research question based on a knowledge gap

• Plan, design, and justify a research proposal using research principles

• Demonstrate cognitive, technical, creative, and communication skills, with awareness of ethics, society, and scholarly standards

CLO2: Identify and discuss ethical standards in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).

Task Information

Task Detail

There are two main components to this Masters Research Proposal:

1. Assessment Item 1 (50% Weighting), Due 15 April 2024
   Planning Document 1: Introduction, Research Problem, Research Question + Background / Literature Review, Significance

2. Assessment Item 2 (50% Weighting), Due 24 May 2024
   Planning Document 2: Revised Planning Document 1 + Aims, Objectives, Methodology, Budget, Timeline, Ethical Consideration, Conclusion

Master Research Proposal

You will apply advanced information retrieval, critical analysis, and synthesis of relevant literature to produce a feasible, justifiable research proposal describing the research project intended for HSC6070 and HSC6080.

Suggested main headings for the proposal:

Planning Document 1

1. Title

2. Introduction (up to 200 words)

3. Research Problem (up to 600 words)

   • Define the important problem addressed

   • Identify the specific part of the problem for this project

   • Provide context and personal interest

4. Research Question (up to 200 words)

   • Present the question in general statement format

   • Break into parts using PICO(S) framework

5. Literature Review / Background (up to 3000 words)

   • Summarize and critique current knowledge

   • Justify the study: Why is this research significant?

   • State the knowledge gap that informs the research question

6. Significance and Outcomes (up to 500 words)

   • Explain how anticipated results fit into the broader discipline

Planning Document 2

Include a revised Planning Document 1, plus:

1. Aims and Objectives (up to 200 words)

   • Refined, detailed statement of what the research intends to achieve

2. Methodology (up to 3000 words)

   • Outline how aims will be achieved

   • Include: Research Approach, Theoretical Framework, Setting, Participants, Recruitment, Intervention/Control, Outcomes, Data Collection & Analysis

3. Budget (up to 250 words)

4. Timeline & Feasibility (up to 250 words)

5. Ethical Considerations (up to 500 words)

6. Conclusion (up to 300 words)

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

The HSC6060 Research Project Design assessment required students to plan and develop a research proposal for an independent, substantial research-based project or scholarship related to their program of study. The assessment was divided into two key components:

1. Planning Document 1 (50%) – Focused on:

   • Title

   • Introduction (200 words)

   • Research Problem (600 words)

   • Research Question (200 words, using PICO(S) framework)

   • Literature Review / Background (3000 words)

   • Significance and Outcomes (500 words)

2. Planning Document 2 (50%) – Built on Document 1, including:

   • Revised Planning Document 1

   • Aims and Objectives (200 words)

   • Methodology (3000 words)

   • Budget (250 words)

   • Timeline & Feasibility (250 words)

   • Ethical Considerations (500 words)

   • Conclusion (300 words)

Learning Objectives Covered (CLOs):

• CLO1: Design, plan, and justify an independent research project, demonstrating advanced information retrieval, critical analysis, literature synthesis, and academic communication.

• CLO2: Identify and discuss ethical standards following the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).

Key Skills Developed:

• Advanced literature review and synthesis

• Formulating research questions based on knowledge gaps

• Research proposal planning and justification

• Ethical awareness in research

• Effective academic writing and argumentation

Step-by-Step Approach Guided by Academic Mentor

The academic mentor guided the student through a structured, stepwise process to complete the research proposal:

Step 1: Topic Selection and Title Development

• Objective: Identify a research area relevant to the student’s field of study and professional practice.

• Mentor’s Guidance: Suggested narrowing broad topics into a specific problem to make the research feasible. Encouraged a clear, descriptive title reflecting the study’s focus.

Step 2: Introduction

• Objective: Provide a concise overview of the research area (up to 200 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Advised on framing the introduction to set the context, indicate significance, and lead smoothly into the research problem.

Step 3: Research Problem

• Objective: Define the problem and the specific aspect the research will address (up to 600 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Helped the student articulate the problem clearly, justify its relevance, and establish a connection to personal and professional interest. Emphasized clarity and conciseness.

Step 4: Research Question

• Objective: Formulate a focused research question using the PICO(S) framework (up to 200 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Guided the student to break the research question into Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design elements to ensure measurable and researchable outcomes.

Step 5: Literature Review / Background

• Objective: Summarize, critique, and synthesize current knowledge (up to 3000 words). Identify knowledge gaps.

• Mentor’s Guidance: Directed the student to locate high-quality sources, critique findings, and justify the research need. Supported the student in highlighting the gap in literature to frame the research question.

Step 6: Significance and Outcomes

• Objective: Explain how the anticipated results contribute to the discipline (up to 500 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Encouraged linking outcomes to broader impacts, such as advancing knowledge, influencing practice, or informing policy.

Step 7: Aims and Objectives

• Objective: Clearly state the research aims and specific objectives (up to 200 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Assisted in refining general goals into specific, measurable objectives that aligned with the research question.

Step 8: Methodology

• Objective: Outline the research approach, theoretical framework, setting, participants, interventions, outcomes, data collection, and analysis (up to 3000 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Supported the student in choosing a feasible approach and justified methodological decisions, ensuring alignment with research aims.

Step 9: Budget, Timeline & Feasibility

• Objective: Provide realistic budget and timeline, demonstrating feasibility (Budget: 250 words, Timeline: 250 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Helped create practical estimates for resources, time allocation, and research stages. Encouraged visual timelines for clarity.

Step 10: Ethical Considerations

• Objective: Discuss ethical aspects of the research, referencing the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct (500 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Explained informed consent, data management, participant autonomy, and confidentiality, helping the student draft a thorough ethical section.

Step 11: Conclusion

• Objective: Summarize the research proposal, emphasizing significance and outcomes (up to 300 words).

• Mentor’s Guidance: Assisted in crafting a concise, compelling conclusion that reinforced the rationale and research contributions.

Outcome Achieved

Through this guided process:

• The student produced a cohesive, academically rigorous research proposal aligned with Masters-level expectations.

• All learning objectives (CLO1 and CLO2) were addressed:

  • Advanced information retrieval and literature synthesis were demonstrated in the literature review.

  • A clear research question was formulated based on an identified knowledge gap.

  • Research design, methodology, budget, timeline, and ethical considerations were thoroughly justified.

  • Effective academic writing and structured presentation adhered to APA 7 standards.

Final Result: A complete, coherent research proposal ready for submission, demonstrating critical thinking, scholarly argumentation, and ethical awareness.

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