Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (21/07/2025 - 21/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Education School
This course is designed as a capstone experience in the Bachelor of Education Primary (Honours) program. Through the course, students are enabled to carry out original, high level research in the form of a research project. The research project conceptualised during the Research Methods course is conducted in this course during the practice teaching experience and internship that follows.
Note: This course commences 1 week before standard Semester 2 classes.
The thesis is the largest single component of assessment for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) Honours cohort. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to conceptualise, carry out and report on an independent study on a topic of interest. The project, which is supervised by a member of the School of Education academic staff, involves the design and implementation of the study, the analysis and interpretation of data and the written presentation of the project. Theﾠthesis may not necessarily make a new contribution, but should be an independent and valuable contribution to the field of study which is ultimately oriented towards improving students' educational outcomes in some small way. Working in close consultation with the Honours advisor throughout the project is essential for successful completion of the thesis.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
To successfully complete EDUC4706, it is expected that students will have passed EDUC4705.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
EDUC4705
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the BEd(Primary)(Hons)
Course contact
Lecturer
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Note that our classes align with the School of Education Practicum calendar - we therefore commence in O-Week.
Aims and outcomes
The broad aim of the Honours thesis is to promote the development of students asﾠteachersﾠand professional educational researchers. The specific aims are to develop and use the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct an educational research project and present a formal written thesis. Upon completion of your thesis, youﾠshould generally be able to display the resourcefulness and academic qualities required of an independent researcher. We will meet as regularly as possible dependent upon prac requirements. In the first session we will share and discuss useful strategies for writing each chapter, and focus on the work of writing your thesis. From the second session onwards you will bring drafts of your thesis writing to discuss and share with each other to assist you in successfully completing your thesis for submission. Alongside this, we will schedule in a "shut up and write" session where we can come together as a community to write and support one another in writing.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation |
Oral defence
|
Pass or fail |
10/11/2025 - 14/11/2025
An appropriate time during that week will be negotiated with all parties. |
| Thesis | Thesis | 100% 8000 words |
31/10/2025 2:00 pm |
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
Oral defence
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation
- Weight
- Pass or fail
- Due date
10/11/2025 - 14/11/2025
An appropriate time during that week will be negotiated with all parties.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L06
Task description
Following thesis submission, you will participate in an Oral Defence of your research project. The format involves:
- A three-minute overview of the thesis by the candidate
- 10 - 12 minutes Question and Answer (no preparation).
The Oral Defence will be conducted by a minimum of two members of academic staff comprising (i) the Honours Coordinator/s and/or (ii) the Thesis Supervisor or other appropriate member of academic staff (depending on workload and availability).
You will be provided with a slide deck to assist you to prepare your three-minute thesis overview.
The Oral Defence will be recorded and assessed on a pass/fail basis against the following criteria:
- Demonstrated ability to articulate the central research question/s, key gap in knowledge the thesis addresses, and central hypothesis.
- Demonstrated ability to justify the thesis structure.
- Demonstrated ability to explain and justify the methodology/ies used.
- Demonstrated mastery of knowledge, analysis and findings presented in the thesis.
- Ability to satisfactorily respond to spontaneous and pertinent questions in the oral defence.
(APSTs: 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2)
Hurdle requirements
The Oral Defence is pass/fail and therefore is a hurdle task. The Oral Defence must be in-person - no prerecording or online options are available to ensure conditions are the same for all students.Submission guidelines
Submit PowerPoint slides as a pdf (one file only) prior to your scheduled Oral Defence.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Contact Course Coordinator directly regarding potential extensions for this assessment.
Thesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 100% 8000 words
- Due date
31/10/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
Your thesis should:
- Clearly articulate the research problem, rationale, aims, objectives and research questions;
- Demonstrate understanding and application of contemporary relevant literature. Demonstrate your ability to critically review this literature and use it as the basis of an analytical framework for the thesis;
- Develop an appropriate research design to address your research questions and objectives. Describe and justify your use of appropriate research methods and techniques;
- Clearly present your analysis of data and discussion of findings;
- Discuss the conclusions of your research and implications of the research for teachers and/or the broader educational community;
- Demonstrate your ability to develop a coherent, central argument that is logical and well substantiated and sustained throughout; and
- Demonstrate clear and coherent written communication, including a well organised and logically structured thesis. There should be a clear and consistent chapter structure (with chapters and sections suitably titled) that is relevant to the main research question.
(APST's: 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2)
Submission guidelines
Submit via the TII link on Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Ensure you apply for an extension, if you need it, before the due date.
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: The student does not submit a thesis or submits a thesis which does not address the criteria required or task. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student submits a thesis but the work does not address any or most of the criteria and requirements for a pass standard. There is very little evidence of a research question and a well researched approach to the topic. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student submits a thesis but the research question is not well defined, the literature review is not relevant or thorough, the methodology(ies) and method(s) chosen are not well explained or executed, and the data analysis is uncritically presented. The thesis makes an attempt but does not satisfy a passing grade. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The thesis addresses all of the criteria and therefore warrants a passing grade. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The thesis addresses all of the criteria and shows evidence of depth of understanding in relation to the topic, theoretical and methodological frameworks, and draws original conclusions from the combination of literature and data. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The thesis addresses all of the criteria and shows evidence of depth of originality, creativity and deep understanding in relation to the topic, theoretical and methodological frameworks, and draws original conclusions from the combination of literature and data. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The thesis addresses all of the criteria and shows evidence of depth of originality, creativity and critical understanding in relation to the topic, thoeretical and methodological frameworks, and draws original conclusions from the combination of literature and data. |
Additional course grading information
The courses that are included in calculating your Honours class, per the Additional rules #6 in Program Rules:
https://programs-courses.uq.edu.au/requirements/program/2380/2025
**Note: EDUC4706 (#4 units) is double weighted as it is a 4 unit course
As per Bachelors Honours Degree procedure class of honours will be decided on weighted GPA as per Section 3 (8) in the following:
Bachelor Honours Degree Procedure / Document / Policy and Procedure Library
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
The following applies to all assessment for this course:
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the 'Assessment' folder in Blackboard for this course.
Release of assessment item marks and feedback
In addition to the grade awarded, feedback will be provided in a timely manner to enable students to apply the feedback to further tasks within the course or program and/or plan for supplementary assessment, requests for re-mark, or re-enrolment. However, as per UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Policy, results for the final assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. Time frames for applications for assessment re-mark are indicated under the Assessment Procedure.
Re-mark policy
After each assessable item, students will be given the opportunity to view their assessment and so satisfy themselves that a marking or administrative error has not occurred. The formal process of querying a course result (requesting a remark on academic grounds) is set out in the UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Procedure.
Use of AI/MT to support or inform assessment
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (21 Jul - 27 Jul) |
Lecture |
What is a thesis? | Literature review - synthesis not description! In our Tuesday lecture, we will do some 'big picture' thinking about the thesis document as a whole. We will also refresh our understanding of the Literature review, with a focus on synthesis rather than description or a 'shopping list'. |
Tutorial |
Data analysis check-in | Writing up methodology In our Thursday tutorial, we will check in and discuss your progress with data analysis. We'll also revisit writing up the methodology section. |
|
Week 2 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Results and Discussion sections In our Tuesday lecture, we will focus on writing up the Results and discussion sections. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L06 |
Tutorial |
Academic writing tips and tricks In our Thursday tutorial, we will discuss some academic writing tips, including tips and tricks with Word that you might find handy. Learning outcomes: L06 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 9 |
Practical |
Practicum No classes scheduled while undertaking professional experience (placement) in an accompanying course. |
Week 10 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Writing an abstract Our Tuesday lecture will explore how to structure this short but vital element of your thesis. |
Tutorial |
Writing the conclusion Our Thursday tutorial will focus on writing up the Conclusion section. |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 11 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Formatting your thesis | Oral Defence requirements In our Tuesday lecture, we cover how to format your thesis and unpack the Oral Defence requirements. |
General contact hours |
Shut up and WRITE! Our Thursday tutorial time will take the form of an online writing session. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 12 To Week 14 |
General contact hours |
Shut up and WRITE! Drop-in sessions Both Tuesday and Thursday will be online writing sessions. |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.