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Course profile

Research Project (Honours) (EDUC4706)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (15/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
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 Research Methods (Semester 1 Year 4)

Restrictions

Restricted to students in the Bachelor of Education Primary (Honours) degree

Course contact

Course staff

Course coordinator

Dr Kathleen Mahon

Lecturer

Dr Kathleen Mahon

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.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Develop, design, and complete an educational research project, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of sources of professional learning and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs (APST 6.1 & 6.2).

LO2.

Successfully formulate and investigate a research question and/or set of research questions.

LO3.

Conduct a critical, thorough and well rounded review of literature relevant to the thesis topic and research questions.

LO4.

Understand educational research methodologies and methods and use one or a set of methodologies successfully to explore chosen research question(s).

LO5.

Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse data in a manner which is ethical, relevant and critical in responding to the topic and research question, and complies with legislative policies and processes (APST 7.1 & 7.2).

LO6.

Demonstrate capacity to present a research project and findings in both oral and written form in a format appropriate to the task and the topic.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Presentation Oral presentation
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Pass or fail

24/10/2024 12:00 pm

Oral presentations will occur during the scheduled Thursday workshop time on 24 October 12 - 2pm. We will then enjoy afternoon tea together to celebrate your accomplishments! You will be able to invite family to this event - more details will be provided closer to the date.

Thesis Thesis 100% 8000 words

4/11/2024 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 presentation

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
Category
Presentation
Weight
Pass or fail
Due date

24/10/2024 12:00 pm

Oral presentations will occur during the scheduled Thursday workshop time on 24 October 12 - 2pm. We will then enjoy afternoon tea together to celebrate your accomplishments! You will be able to invite family to this event - more details will be provided closer to the date.

Learning outcomes
L06

Task description

You are to present a compelling 3 minute oral presentation on your thesis and its significance in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Your presentation should briefly touch on each of the major components of your thesis as discussed in Assessment Task 1. Appropriate and relevant audio-visual aids may be used during your presentation. After your presentation, you will be expected to respond to questions from your peers and School of Education staff members. 

A discussion of implications of the research for teachers (that is, what do you think other teachers would want to know about your research?) should be included. 

Examples of the kind of presentation required are available here: http://threeminutethesis.org/ 

All Honours advisors and School of Education staff will be invited to attend. 

(APSTs: 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2)

 

Hurdle requirements

This presentation is pass/fail and therefore is a hurdle task. The conditions thus need to be the same for all students so no extensions or presentations at different times are permitted.

Submission guidelines

Upload slides as one pdf file to TII by 5pm on 24 October 2024.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

This presentation is pass/fail and therefore is a hurdle task. The conditions thus need to be the same for all students so no extensions or presentations at different times are permitted.

Thesis

Mode
Written
Category
Thesis
Weight
100% 8000 words
Due date

4/11/2024 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.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

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 Program Rules, are:

  • #2 EDUC3707
  • #2 EDUC3730
  • #2 EDUC3760
  • #2 EDUC4705
  • #2 EDUC4720
  • #2 EDUC4730
  • #2 EDUC4740
  • #2 EDUC4770
  • #4 EDUC4706 (EDUC4706 is double weighted as it is a 4 unit course.)


As perᅠPPL 3.50.12 Award of Honoursᅠclass of honours will be decided on weighted GPA as per the following:

  • 6.200-7.000 Class I
  • 5.650-6.199 Class IIA
  • 5.000-5.649 Class IIB
  • 4.000-4.999 Class IIIA
  • <4.000 Class IIIB

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

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 generative AI to support or inform assessment

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. ᅠWhilst students may use AI 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 AI 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 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

Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(15 Jul - 21 Jul)

Lecture

What is a thesis? | Literature review refresher | Data analysis

Lecture: What is a thesis? Thinking about the document as a whole. Literature review refresher.

Workshop: Data analysis

Week 2

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Lecture

Results and Discussion sections

Lecture: Results and discussion sections.

Workshop: Focused writing time.

Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L06

Multiple weeks

From Week 3 To Week 9
(29 Jul - 15 Sep)

Practical

Practicum

No classes scheduled while undertaking professional experience (placement) in an accompanying course.

Week 10

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Lecture

Unpacking the oral presentation requirements

Lecture: We will go through the oral presentation task requirements.

Workshop: Focused writing time.

Week 11

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Lecture

Writing the conclusion

Lecture: How to write the conclusion section.

Workshop: Focused writing time.

Learning outcomes: L02, L06

Week 12

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Writing an abstract | Peer review and formatting

Lecture: How to write an abstract

Workshop: Peer review and formatting (including APA conventions)

Learning outcomes: L02, L06

Week 13

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Lecture

Drop-in sessions

Two workshops this week where we will be available to you to offer any assistance needed.

Learning outcomes: L06

Week 14

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

General contact hours

Drop-in session | Oral presentations

Tuesday: Drop-in session

Thursday: Oral presentations

Learning outcomes: L06

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.