Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
This course encompasses both qualitative and quantitative research and analysis. Students will gain an understanding of the skills needed to design and undertake a research project, including the legal and ethical requirements in planning research projects. The course covers choosing the best experimental design and analytical methods, as well as how to present data for dissemination to the wider community.
This course provides students with the framework of principles and methods for defining research issues, developing research proposals, and communicating research progress in both oral and written formats. It helps students understand the 'big picture' of research and development within agricultural settings.
In the first module, students will learn the fundamentals of research and core concepts in research methodology, including academic integrity, literature review, proposal development, science communication and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their research and academic writing. The second module focuses on discipline-specific research methods.
Each topic is supplemented by a short lecture, tutorial-style learning activities, and additional learning guides and online resource materials. The tutorials include Q&A sessions, workshops, discussions, and focus groups to deepen the understanding of each topic. Assessment tasks such as quizzes and written reports are associated with most tutorials.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is designed to assist students who are commencing or about to commence a research project in successfully completing their research.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
AGRC3007, AGRC6630, AGRC7045, ANIM6622, ENVM3522, ENVM6501
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course is jointly taught between St Lucia, Gatton and External modes, with all sharing activities and assessments.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course will be taught at the Gatton and St Lucia campuses. Additional learning materials, such as short video lectures and online learning modules, will be provided on Blackboard to set the scene for the corresponding tutorials. The tutorials will be delivered in person by teaching staff with a live video link to Gatton or St Lucia. We will also use Zoom-enabled teaching rooms to allow off-campus students to join the live events. Although all tutorials will be recorded and made available to students via Blackboard, we strongly encourage students to join the live sessions.
Aims and outcomes
The purpose of the course is to provide students with a broad understanding of research paradigms and approaches used in various fields and to prepare them to work in multidisciplinary teams. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in conceptualizing and designing a research project and will build awareness of contemporary problems, paradigms, methodologies, and techniques in research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the complexity and validity of diverse research approaches from biological to social sciences, while emphasising fundamental research principles including academic integrity.
LO2.
Plan research projects and apply the principles of the research process to problems in the fields of Agriculture and Food Science.
LO3.
Clearly articulate research questions and assemble evidence to support development of a research project to address this question.
LO4.
Effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Tests (sequential)
|
30% Each online test will contribute 10% to your final mark. |
Test 1 4/04/2025 5:00 pm Test 2 9/05/2025 5:00 pm Test 3 30/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Report - Mind Map
|
10% |
11/04/2025 3:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Proposal
|
30% |
16/05/2025 3:00 pm |
| Presentation |
3-Minute Pitch Style Presentation (3MP) of a Project Proposal
|
30% |
9/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Note: Due to the high number of students enrolled in this course, this activity begins in Week 10, at the end of each tutorial. Students will randomly be selected and allocated to each session for their 3MP presentations. For more details please see the Blackboard site. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Online Tests (sequential)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% Each online test will contribute 10% to your final mark.
- Due date
Test 1 4/04/2025 5:00 pm
Test 2 9/05/2025 5:00 pm
Test 3 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This is a sequential assessment item, undertaken as an online time-limited activity, and can be done anywhere during weeks 6, 10, and 13 before the due dates.
- The first online test will cover the fundamental content of the research module delivered from weeks 1 to 5.
- The second online test, due in week 10, will assess the discipline-focused research methodologies covered in weeks 6 to 9.
- The last online test, due in week 13, will examine three additional discipline-focused research methodologies.
Each online test consists of multiple-choice questions and will contribute 10% to your final mark. You will have 30 minutes to complete each test. You can start the test at any time during the week when it is open, but once you begin, you must complete the test within the allocated timeframe.
Additional details will be provided on the course Blackboard site.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
These online tests will be conducted using Inspera. To familiarise yourself with Inspera and the Safe Exam Browser, please visit the links below:
https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original
https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original/safe-exam-browser-inspera-original
You will have access to your online test through the BB site; however, you will not be able to complete the test after the specified end date and time.
Academic Integrity is a core value at UQ. We all need to act with courage to take our responsibilities seriously and uphold honesty, trust, respect and equity, particularly in assessment. For you as a student, this means:
- Completing your assessment tasks, whether face-to-face or online, in an honest, fair and trustworthy manner
- Acting responsibly, based on your lecturer or tutor’s instructions, and not giving or receiving any unauthorised assistance to others in completing assessment tasks
- Commitment to act honestly and refusing to take any action that would break trust with your peers and lecturer/tutor
By undertaking this assessment, you will be deemed to have acknowledged UQ’s Academic Integrity Pledge (above) and to have made the following declaration:
“I certify that my submitted answers are entirely my own work, are not copied from lecture notes or other sources, and that I have neither given nor received any unauthorised assistance on this assessment item”.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
These quizzes close on Blackboard after the due date and time have passed, and will not be made available to students after this time, unless approved for extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Report - Mind Map
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
11/04/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
In this assessment, students will create a mind map for a research project, comprising between 20 and 30 chart elements or action items. The mind map should demonstrate the student's abilities, skills, and knowledge in organising and conceptualising research ideas. Requirements include ensuring logical organisation and structure, with clear relationships between the various elements, showcasing critical thinking and understanding of the research process. Creativity in presentation is encouraged, with the use of colours, symbols, and other visual aids to enhance clarity and readability. This task aims to help students develop a clear and organised plan for their research project, demonstrating their ability to think critically and creatively about their research process.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Turnitin submission details:
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Research Proposal
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
16/05/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
A research proposal typically consists of several key components that outline the planned research project in detail. These components may vary slightly depending on the specific requirements of the research proposal and the academic discipline. We expect students to prepare a document of around 1500 words to show a plan for their research project, including the Research Questions, Objectives, Methodology, and Expected outcomes. This document should have an interesting title and project Summary, along with other sections for Introduction, Background, and Project Timeline.
References are an essential part and should be presented in the standard Author/Date format. Students are encouraged to use Endnote or other referencing software but should not rely solely on it, as there is no guarantee that it will format references exactly as prescribed. The reference list is not included in the word count.
We expect students to incorporate background information on the research topic, outline the significance of the study, and briefly introduce the research question or hypothesis in the introduction. In the Background section, students need to provide a critical analysis of existing literature relevant to the research topic. They should demonstrate their understanding of the current state of knowledge in the field and identify gaps or areas for further investigation. The Research Objectives section should contain clearly articulated statements of the goals or research questions that the research aims to address.
Please be mindful of the word limit while describing the research design, methods, and techniques that will be used to collect and analyse data. This section should explain how the research objectives will be achieved. A short section on expected outcomes can include potential implications or applications of the research.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Turnitin submission details:
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
3-Minute Pitch Style Presentation (3MP) of a Project Proposal
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
9/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Note: Due to the high number of students enrolled in this course, this activity begins in Week 10, at the end of each tutorial. Students will randomly be selected and allocated to each session for their 3MP presentations. For more details please see the Blackboard site.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will deliver a brief (3-minute) seminar presenting their research idea, its significance, objectives, hypothesis, and the proposed research methodology. The aim is to justify, promote, and engage a broad audience in the project. Students may choose to use the topic from their Research Proposal for continuity, enabling them to conduct a thorough study and literature review to identify a gap and present it effectively in the 3-minute seminar. Alternatively, students may select a different topic from their previous document, though their understanding of the chosen topic will contribute to the marking criteria. The seminar is compulsory and will be presented during the final tutorial session or as otherwise advised by the course coordinator. Therefore, students are required to present their seminar and be present while their peers deliver their presentations.
Presentations will be recorded.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Refer to additional course grading information.Submission guidelines
Completed in class environment. External students will be provided access to a Zoom link to present to the class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
This is delivered in class time, and is to be completed with an audience of fellow students.
If students are unable to deliver their presentation during Weeks 10–13 due to valid reasons, as approved through an extension application, they must record their 3-minute presentation and submit the recorded version via Blackboard.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
This assessment is completed in class in a live format and late submission is not possible.
Alternative dates of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35% - 46% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47% - 49% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50% - 64% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65% - 74% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75% - 84% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% - 100% |
Additional course grading information
Students must deliver their 3-minute presentation to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Assignment writing
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments. You are encouraged to:
- read the instructions for assignments carefully and ensure that you address all the requirements,
- refer to references both in the readings and beyond, and cite references in the appropriate manner,
- reflect on your own experience and provide insight and critical thinking,
- write clearly and concisely.
Turnitin Assignments
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. ﾠIf you submit any version of your assessment item to any other Turnitin link, this is considered cheating, and you will be held liable for this action.
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the course coordinator, every attempt will be made to have the results for progressive assessment available within 3 weeks of submission. ﾠFor items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will not be available until grades release day. ﾠResults and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.
Re-mark Applications – refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| AGRC6631 Course Profile | provides details of specifications, rationale, aims and structure of the course. It also informs you of the assessment for this course, including weightings and due dates. | |
| AGRC6631 Blackboard site | Blackboard is the main method of communication for this course. https://learn.uq.edu.au/ |
Additional learning resources information
Students are encouraged to use the library resources, to locate, access, read and understand relevant published literature. Students are expected to make extensive use of published, scientific literature to provide evidence to fully support and validate the submitted research proposals.ﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Lectures and Presentations This course includes a series of guest lectures covering a broad range of topics. Lectures will be delivered by experts either in person or online, with additional short video lectures available on Blackboard to support in-depth tutorials across various disciplines in agriculture and food research. The lecture timetable will be accessible on the Blackboard site. The course coordinator will communicate regularly with students through Blackboard announcements to keep them informed about upcoming activities and guest lectures. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials Tutorials (Tutorial Series): This course covers two main modules: Fundamentals of Research (Weeks 1-5) and Discipline-Related Tutorials (Weeks 6-12). The tutorials include Q&A sessions, workshops, discussions, and focus groups to deepen the understanding of each topic. The session in Module 1 introduces the basics of how to conduct research. Students are expected to attend and participate in these sessions. We will cover a variety of discipline-related learning activities, including those from social sciences, agribusiness, soil sciences, agronomy, crop protection, animal sciences, and food sciences. For more details about the modules and learning activities, please visit the Blackboard site. Guest lecturers from each discipline will lead these sessions. The timetable will be accessible on the Blackboard site. The course coordinator will communicate regularly with students through Blackboard announcements to inform them about upcoming activities and guest lectures. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 13 |
Seminar |
3-Minute Pitch Style Presentation (3MP) of a Project Proposal (Seminar) 3-Minute Pitch Style Presentation (3MP) of a Project Proposal (Seminar): During weeks 10-13, each student will present a very short (maximum 3-minute) seminar to explain their project proposal and its significance. The goal is to make the proposal appealing to a general audience with basic knowledge of agriculture or food science. Due to the high number of students enrolled in this course, this activity might begin in Week 10, at the end of each tutorial. Students will be selected and allocated to each session randomly for their 3MP presentations. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Additional learning activity information
The course follows the action learning principles when learning is considered as the result of doing and reflecting on experiences. Students are invited to actively participate in the teaching and learning process. The course provides context through two modules that cover research fundamentals and discipline-focused research methodologies.
During the first 6 weeks of the course, students will learn about basic library search skills, research integrity, academic misconduct, and the ability to distinguish reputable and trustworthy resources along with relevant metrics. Other important topics in the research fundamentals module include experimental design, proposal writing, and science communication skills. In the second module (weeks 7-13), students will learn about common principles and research methodologies related to various areas of agricultural research, ranging from agronomy and plant protection to agribusiness and social science research. The teaching staff will act as facilitators throughout the course.
To fully benefit from this course, it is crucial that the students constantly reflect on their experiences in the course and link the principles and skills taught to their particular research interests. This course also requires students to have strong self-discipline and time management.
On-campus students are encouraged to attend and actively participate in the tutorial sessions, and external students to follow them online. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the training sessions run by the Library and AskIT during each semester, i.e. courses including EndNote, Data Base Management Skills, Advanced Word Processing, Excel and PowerPoint.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.