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Unit outline_

PMGT5862: Introduction to Research in Project Studies

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Academic research is an opportunity to deeply engage with questions that make a difference in our lives, and to create an original, and defensible, contribution to the common knowledge. In this unit, students will be introduced to the research process and guided through exercises that will enhance their ability to critically engage with texts and data. Students will develop their understanding of rigor and validity in the research process, and their ability to create a sustained and consistent line of argumentation. The unit will culminate in the development of a research proposal, providing a strong foundation for future research activity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PMGT5882
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Buhagiar, michael.buhagiar@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Michael Buhagiar, michael.buhagiar@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written individual research proposal
Individual, written research proposal
25% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Jun 2023 at 23:59
5000-6000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Discussion Board & Participation
Post in the discussion board and participate in the class
10% Multiple weeks 100-300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Personal Reflection
Complete the weekly reflection template, export it, and submit it
10% Multiple weeks 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Thesis assessment
Group, read and assess the thesis’s part before the class
20% Multiple weeks One page written submissions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Provisional research topic and initial research question, aims and objectives
Individual assessment, written document
5% Week -02
Due date: 05 Mar 2023 at 23:59
up to 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Plan and conduct search technique, evaluate the literature and write the literature review
Written report of literature review
20% Week 06
Due date: 02 Apr 2023 at 23:59
3000-4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Individual research proposal poster
Individual, create poster and present it
10% Week 12
Due date: 15 May 2023 at 23:59
A3 poster
Outcomes assessed: LO5

Assessment summary

Assessment 1- Class participation

This is an ongoing individual assessment from Week 1 to Week 10, which is worth 10% of the unit final mark.

Students should participate in the subject week by week in both the Canvas forums and in class sessions. Evaluations to be based on quality and quantity of the post(s) and contributions.

Canvas posts will mainly be marked on relevance, frequency, follow-up posting, content contribution, references & support, and clarity.

Weight: 10% of final mark

Due: Multiple weeks

Assessment 2- Personal Reflection

This is an ongoing individual assessment from Week 1 to Week 6, which is worth 10% of the unit final mark. 

Students are required to complete the personal reflection by answering the three questions in the personal reflection template (allocated in each week in the after-class activities section in Canvas). After answering the three questions, students need to export their reflection, save it as a word or pdf document and submit it in Canvas.  

Weight: 10% of final mark

Due: Multiple weeks

Assessment 3- Provisional research topic and initial research question, aims and objectives

This is an individual assessment which is worth 5% of the unit final mark.

It is marked relative to the first learning outcome:

LO1- Identify a suitable topic for research on project studies and construct a clear research question and develop research aims and objectives

In this assignment, the students are required to complete and submit the research topic, problem statement, main question, aims and objectives template by the end of Week 2. The students will be provided with a list of broad research topics that align with the research themes in the School of Project Management and the research interests of the academic staff in the School of Project Management who would be the potential supervisors for Thesis A and Thesis B.

The research question and aims and objectives could be refined after conducting the literature review.

Students need to review two relevant peer reviewed journal articles to support the formulation of their research question, aims and objectives. One article should be from one of the following Project Management journals Journal articles should be recent (published within the past 5 years) and relevant to the research topic.

International Journal of Project Management

Project Management Journal

Weight: 5% of final mark

Due: 11.59 pm, 5 March 2023 (Week 2)

Assessment 4- Plan and conduct search technique, evaluate the literature and write the literature review

This is an individual assessment which is worth 20% of the unit final mark

This assessment is marked relative to the second learning outcome:

LO2- Plan and conduct appropriate techniques to search for papers in the project studies literature, review and evaluate the relevant literature, write a related literature review, avoid plagiarism and cite references correctly.

First, the student is expected to evaluate the source information, explain the search strategy will be used, then to write the literature review.   The Literature Review will summarise, critique and synthesise the literature relevant to the student’s topic. The student is expected to draw from an extensive range of sources, emphasising peer-reviewed academic publications. The Review should culminate by establishing a gap in the literature, that the student’s research will address, as can be achieved within the scope of a masters program.

The Literature Review will be 3,500 - 4,000 words. Note that the Literature Review submitted for this assessment may be slightly different to the final version submitted in the full thesis, in terms of formatting and word length. It is expected that students will edit their Literature Review based on assessment feedback, before inclusion in the final thesis.

Literature review will be marked based on the marking criteria in the rubric.

Weight: 20% of final mark

Length: 3,500 - 4,000 words

Due: 11.59 pm, 7 May 2023 (Week 10)

Assessment 5- Thesis assessment

This is a group assessment, which is worth 20% of the unit final mark.

This assessment is marked relative to the all of the unit learning outcomes (LO1 – LO5). 

Students will be provided with a list of previous theses completed by research students in a variety of project management topics

Each week from Week 1 to Week 6, the students will work in groups and will a relevant part of the allocated thesis based on the weekly topic. Students will stay in their group from Week 1 to Week 6.

The group is expected to read and assess the thesis’s part before the class, and they will be allowed time to meet in the class and discuss their assessment. Each group will require to prepare a one page thesis part assessment and will submit it weekly.

Weight: 20% of final mark

Due: Multiple weeks

Assessment 6- Individual proposal poster

This is an individual assessment which is worth 10% of the unit final mark. It maps to all of the unit learning outcomes (LO1-LO5).

Students are required to submit a poster that summarises their research proposal. All submissions are online via Canvas. In addition, students are required to print out an A3 poster and submit it to the unit coordinator in hand during the class in Week 12. All students are required to present their poster in a research forum that will take place in Week 13.

The poster will be marked based on the content and presentation.

Weight: 10% of final mark

Due: Week 12 class

Assessment 7- Individual proposal

This is an individual assessment, which is worth 25% of the unit final mark.

The Research Proposal will summarise, critique and synthesise the literature relevant to the student’s topic. It will then detail how the student will conduct their research, in terms of their data collection method, analysis approach, ethical considerations, and quality criteria relevant to the validity and/or reliability of their research.

Students are expected to draw from an extensive range of sources, emphasising peer-reviewed academic publications. It is expected that students should only summarise the literature review they conducted and submitted in week 6 - they will need to insert any additional literature added since their submission in week 6.

Weight: 25% of final mark

Length: 5,000 - 6,000 words

Due: 11.59 pm, Sun 11 June (Week 15: final exam period)

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.

 Text-matching software for Assignment Submission:

As part of the assessment process, text-matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback.

 Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process.

 Mark Moderation:

Mark moderation: There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

 If, at any stage, you would like assistance with Sydney Curriculum, please contact pmgp.admin@sydney.edu.au, if you would like help setting up your Canvas site, including setting up assignments and arranging the recording of a welcome video, please be in touch with the Educational Design team.

 

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard

              

Pass

              

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Absent fail

              

 

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late, and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Refer to section 7A of the Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Independent study (weekly activities and assessments completion) Independent study (100 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week -01 Research overview: topic, questions and aims and objectives Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week -02 Literature review Primary and Secondary data Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week -03 Research Methodology and Methods Research ethics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week -04 Qualitative data collection and analysis Methods Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week -05 Quantitative data collection and analysis Methods Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 06 Case study and action research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 07 Developing your own proposal & Proposal workshop: hands-on Qualitative Analysis (Content Analysis) Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 08 Proposal workshop: hands-on Qualitative analysis (Nvivo) Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 09 Proposal workshop: Hands-on Quantitative Analysis (IBM SPSS Part I & Part II) Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 10 Proposal workshop: Hands-on Quantitative Analysis (IBM SPSS Part III) Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 11 Proposal workshop: Hands-on Quantitative Analysis (continue IBM SPSS Part III) Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 12 Proposal workshop: General discussion & Consultation Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Week 13 Research Forum: Your research proposals (poster) Feedback and Discussion Forum (3 hr) LO5

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.

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. Identify a suitable topic for research on project studies and construct a clear research question and develop research aims and objectives
  • LO2. Plan and conduct appropriate techniques to search for papers in the project studies literature, review and evaluate the relevant literature, write a related literature review, avoid plagiarism and cite references correctly.
  • LO3. Select and formulate a research strategy, using an appropriate source of data, sample, data collection method and analysis approach to address your research question and/or aims and objectives.
  • LO4. Demonstrate an understanding of research ethics by ensuring that your own research is ethical.
  • LO5. Develop a research proposal

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.

This is the first iteration of the unit. An important lesson from my (MB) previous Thesis A workshops, and general teaching, is that Non-English Speaking Background students may need personal support in academic writing, and there is plenty of provision for this in the unit. Overall, the aim should be to keep it as simple as possible, so that students can master the essentials. The unit should be conceived as a preparation for Thesis A, although there is no requirement to follow this path.

Disclaimer

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