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Unit outline_

MECO4116: Research Practices

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an introductory understanding of key research methods and practices relevant to media and communications, organised in 'clusters' such as multimedia, literary journalism, public relations, magazines and audio/podcasting. Cluster choices are dependent upon staff availability each year. Students will choose a 'cluster' by end of Week 3 and write an essay and media project proposal. The proposal will form the basis of a major project which they will complete in semester 2 in MECO4117 Critical Practice in Media. MECO4116 and 4117 are linked and 4th year unit choices should accord with this year-long structure.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
18 credit points at 3000-level in Media and Communications
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Fiona Martin, fiona.martin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gina Flaxman, gina.flaxman@sydney.edu.au
Fiona Martin, fiona.martin@sydney.edu.au
Lea Redfern, lea.redfern@sydney.edu.au
Julia Booth, julia.booth@sydney.edu.au
Mark Tredinnick, mark.tredinnick@sydney.edu.au
Fleur Anson, fleur.anson@sydney.edu.au
Oliver Heath, oliver.heath@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Pitch
Students pitch their project idea to their cluster
10% Multiple weeks 5 minutes (approx 800 words)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Participation Participation
Participation in weekly seminars
5% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research Essay
cluster specific
40% Week 07
Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Proposal
Students write a proposal for a major media project
45% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
2800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3

Assessment summary

  • Cluster specific research essay: this task requires you to write an essay in response to your cluster leader’s stimulus question about a case study in your field, which shows your understanding of research methods in media and communications and the state of practice.
  • Project pitch: you will present a short pitch for a major media project as an in-class presentation to your cluster group
  • Project Proposal: you will write a proposal for a major media project, including your research methods and
  • Participation: you will contribute to reading analysis, discussions and pitch feedback in weekly cluster classes.

Detailed information for each assessment and submission instructions can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Rubrics for each assessment are provided on Canvas. 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit. Each cluster leader discusses their subject, method of teaching, expectations, etc. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Cluster-based seminar (see Canvas for weekly seminar topics, specific to each cluster) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Cluster-based seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

Preparation: Students should commit to approximately three hours of preparation time (reading, viewing, listening, studying, researching, writing, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See research cluster instructions and Canvas learning modules.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the key research methods commonly used in media and communications research and practice
  • LO2. apply key methods to creative case studies across a range of areas of media and communications
  • LO3. understand the value of research methods within scholarly and professional contexts

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thanks for your feedback on each of the cluster groups. This year you rated the unit overwhelmingly highly at 4.64/5 overall. Much work was done last year on clarifying the assignment requirements and marking rubrics, and this has seen far greater satisfaction here. This year we will enlist your help in improving the learning resources for each cluster, and ensuring the Canvas site learning modules are easier to navigate

Additional costs

Those students undertaking the Magazines and Video modules will have the option of subscribing to Adobe Creative Cloud for $85 or using the university lab computers for their production work. Magazines students will be asked to print one copy of their work for assessment. Cost could $20-100 depending on the number of pages and copies they choose to print. Please consult the cluster leader for current quotes as prices vary depending on the scope of the work. Students undertaking the Video and Audio clusters must be prepared to buy back up hard dives and consumable storage items (SD cards etc) for recording devices.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.