Course coordinator
Associate Professor Anna Jenkins
Consultation by appointment
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 8
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Independent research thesis on a selected topic within the area of discipline interest. Research is supervised by one or two academic staff members. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in RBUS6996 in both semesters. Students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in RBUS6997 in both semesters.
The aim of the research thesis is to provide the opportunity to learn how to conduct high-quality rigorous research. Students undertake an independent research thesis, enabling them to explore a specific area of interest. In completing the research thesis, students are exposed to the entire research process, from selecting a topic and formulating research questions to conducting a literature review, developing hypotheses (if applicable), designing a methodology, analysing data, and interpreting results. Students work closely with an academic advisor to refine their research proposals, receive feedback, and ensure academic rigour.ﾠ
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission from Head of School
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
RBUS6991 or 6992 or 6993 or 6994 or 6996 or 6997
Restrictions
BAdvBus(Hons), BAdvFin&Econ(Hons), BBusMan(Hons), BCom(Hons). BAdvBus(Hons) students are required to email bel@uq.edu.au for permission to enrol.
Course contact
Timetable
Additional timetable information
There are no scheduled classes for this course.
ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the thesis is to provide the opportunity to learn how to conduct high quality rigorous research through participation in a research program. The thesis is the centrepiece of the Honours program. The thesis entails an extensive literature review, development of a research methodolgy, execution of the research and the drawing of meaningful conclusions and recommendations.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of the field of study.
LO2.
Identify problems appropriate for research and to pose research questions and/or formulate hypotheses.
LO3.
Undertake supervised research, including the design and conduct of investigations, in a systematic, critical and evidence-based manner.
LO4.
Critically analyse research data using applicable analysis software and draw logical conclusions.
LO5.
Communicate clearly the results of research in a format suitable for publication in the field of study.
LO6.
Appreciate social and ethical responsibilities and apply ethical standards in research in the field of study.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook | Honours Thesis Topic/Supervisor Details |
Week 4 |
|
| Notebook/ Logbook | Honours Thesis Topic/Supervisor Agreement |
Week 8 |
|
| Presentation | Research Proposal Presentation | 10% |
Week 13 Thu - Week 13 Fri |
| Thesis | Honours Thesis | 90% |
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
Friday Week 13 (Semester 2, 2025) |
Assessment details
Honours Thesis Topic/Supervisor Details
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Due date
Week 4
Task description
Students are required to submit a copy of their thesis topic and supervisor details.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Honours Thesis Topic/Supervisor Agreement
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Due date
Week 8
Task description
Students are required to submit their signed supervisor agreement for their honours thesis.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Research Proposal Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 13 Thu - Week 13 Fri
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
This research presentation allows you to present your research question, literature review, and proposed methodology within a small supportive forum comprising academic members of staff and your fellow students. You will be given 15 minutes to present your progress to date and this will take place at a small in-house event at the end of semester one. Further details regarding the precise date will be provided.
An assessor will be assigned and detailed feedback will be provided to both you and your supervisor to assist with the progression of your thesis.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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.
Honours Thesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 90%
- Due date
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
Friday Week 13 (Semester 2, 2025)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The empirical honours thesis follows the same basic format as an empirical masters thesis or PhD thesis. To that end, unless otherwise instructed by the supervisor, the empirical honours thesis will have a minimum chapter content likely to include:
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Model and hypotheses
- Methodology of data collection
- Analysis, results and discussion
- Conclusion.
The above structure is an example for an empirical thesis. In cases where a theoretical thesis is undertaken, a different structure would be required. Students are advised to seek direction of their supervisor on the appropriate structure in such cases.
Ethics
Ethics approval must be sought prior to any form of primary data collection. Information regarding the ethics application process is as follows:
Information about how to submit an application is available here: http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/low-and-negligible-risk-reviews
All applications should use the HREA form. http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/hrea
The first committee meeting was held on 31/01, with fortnightly meetings scheduled thereafter. The cut-off date for submissions is one week prior to each scheduled meeting. The schedule for future meetings (and cut-off dates) is available here: http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/files/human/2017%20BEL%20LNR.xlsx
Any questions regarding the ethics process should be directed to: BELLNR@UQ.EDU.AU
Thesis Format and Word Count
The length of the thesis, inclusive of tables and figures but excluding references and appendices, should not exceed 20,000 words. Please note that any content beyond this limit will not be considered for grading. To allow adequate room for binding and trimming, it is important to note that left and right-hand margins should be no less than 25mm, and top and bottom margins no less than 25mm.
The fly page must show:
The University of Queensland
Faculty of Business, Economics & Law
Business School
(the title)
A thesis submitted to the Business School, The University of Queensland, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce/Business Management/Advanced Business/Advanced Finance and Economics (whichever applies) with Honours
by (student's name)
the date
Supervisor: (name)
On a separate page show: Acknowledgements
Signed disclaimer statement which says: “The work presented in this thesis is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, original, except as acknowledged in the text. The material has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, for a degree at this or any other university.”
DATA and THESIS SUBMISSION
Students are required to submit all data files and thesis by the due time to avoid penalty. The student must pass the thesis through Turnitin and attach the generated report to the thesis for submission. After the thesis is examined a window of opportunity exists for students to amend their thesis for editorial errors and submit a final thesis for publication on Espace. If a student does not submit a final thesis the first version of the thesis will be automatically published as the final.
A DETAILED ASSESSMENT RUBRIC WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS VIA THE COURSE BLACKBOARD SITE.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The thesis is to be submitted electronically through Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Independent Research Activity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, 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:
- 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.