Honours Thesis B (RBUS6997)

Course overview

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.

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

BBusMan(Hons), BCom(Hons), BAdvBus(Hons), BAdvFin&Econ(Hons)

Course contact

Timetable

Additional timetable information

This thesis is an Independent Research Activity (Independent Study), and will not have any regular classes.

We encourage you to contact your Academic Supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your research timeline, setup milestones (or goals) to meet throughout the semester and ensure regular meetings have been scheduled to review your progress. Your supervisor will be your first point of contact.

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:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Research Proposal Presentation

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

30/10/2024

The proposal presentation will most likely take place on Wednesday or Thursday of the revision week in your enrolling semester. The exact date and time will be communicated by the Honours Admin team. Please also refer to the important dates listed on the Honours Community Site on Blackboard.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

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.

Honours Thesis

Mode

Written

Category

Thesis

Weight

90%

Due date

30/05/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

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.

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.

Additional learning activity information

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a thesis topic and a supervisor are critical steps in the successful completion of the honours thesis. It is the responsibility of individual students to identify a viable thesis topic and to find a suitable supervisor. The following steps act as a guide in the selection process:

1. Choose a specialised area of interest. To assist with this selection, students can examine the research profiles of the school's academic staff and talk with other postgraduate students. Students can also review the work/assignments from courses already completed. Make a tentative selection of one or more topics.
2. Examine the UQ Business School's Prospectus, or the academic profiles on the UQ website. Not only will the academic research profiles assist in selecting a supervisor with research interests that are appropriate to the proposed topic, but will also familiarise students with the background of the school's academic staff. Studying these profiles may also provide some ideas on research topics for the thesis.
3. As background reading, download the following paper from SSRN: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2462059. This is a paper that will guide you and help you to have meaningful discussions with potential supervisors regarding a possible research topic.
4. Ideally, select two or three academics whose research interests coincide with the proposed thesis topic and discuss the topic with those academics.
5. Once an appropriate supervisor has agreed to supervise the honours thesis, and the topic has been decided, complete an Honours Supervision Agreement.

Completion of Supervision Agreement

As soon as an appropriate supervisor has been selected, and the topic defined, complete a Supervision Agreement form. This form is available from the Honours Community Blackboard site (or the course Blackboard site) and must be submitted to the Student Administration team via the Assessment folder in the course Blackboard site by the published due date. If the Supervision Agreement form is not submitted by the due date, access to the Business School computers and email accounts may be denied.

The Role of the Supervisor

The role of the supervisor is to:

1. assist in developing a study plan, ensuring that it is scientifically sound and possible to implement with the resources likely to be available;
2. be available for consultation for an appropriate period of time;
3. encourage completion of the thesis;
4. regularly discuss progress and assist in the development of appropriate research habits;
5. read drafts of the thesis as each section is produced, and to read the entire manuscript before it is prepared for submission; and
6. provide appropriate feedback on work, including information on when and if a student’s performance is unsatisfactory.

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.