Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
If enrolling in this course across 2 semesters: students commencing in semester 1 must enrol in RBUS7984 for both semesters. Students commencing in semester 2 must enrol in RBUS7985 for both semesters. Students enrolling in a single semester must enrol in RBUS7981.
This research course provides students with the opportunity toﾠundertake independent research in a business discipline area of their choice. Students will work one on one with an academic advisor who will mentor the student through the researchﾠprocess. Regular meetings between the student and their advisor replace any structured learning activities such as lectures and tutorials in this particular course.
Pre-requisities & Responsibilities
Before attempting this course, students are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by the School of Business, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or the University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.
It is the student's responsibility toﾠ consult designated course sites and informationﾠfor correct and up-to-date information regarding the course, including submission deadlines.ﾠRelying on fellow students to pass on information may result in incorrect information for which the University will not be held responsible.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
16 units of level 7 Business School courses + permission from Head of School
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
RBUS7980 or 7981 or 7982 or 7983 or 7991 or 7992 or 7993
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Liaison Officer
Please contact your UQ Business School academic supervisor for assistance with your research project.
For questions relating to enrolment, research project submission, and data management, please contact the course administrator at info@business.uq.edu.au
Timetable
Additional timetable information
This research project 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 research thesis is to provide the opportunity to learn how to conduct high quality rigorous research through participation in a research course, and a great deal of the student's time will be taken up with it. The thesis entails an extensive literature review, development of a research methodology, execution of a research program, and write-up. On completion of the thesis the student should be able to carry out an independent research project, including literature review, justification of methodology, execution of the project, and analysis and interpretation of results. Students may be required to present at a seminar outlining their thesis proposal.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
identify and articulate appropriate theroetical frameworks
LO2.
carry out a literature review
LO3.
develop testable hypotheses
LO4.
justify methodology
LO5.
execute and explain the project
LO6.
analyse and interpret results
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Research Project | 100% |
30/05/2025 1:00 pm
Friday (Last Teaching Week) |
Assessment details
Research Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 100%
- Due date
30/05/2025 1:00 pm
Friday (Last Teaching Week)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The research project normally follows this format:
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Methodology of data collection
- Analysis, results and discussion
- Conclusion.
The above format is an example for a research project. In cases where the research project is theoretical, an alternate format may be used. You are advised to seek direction of your supervisor on the appropriate format in such cases.
Ethical Research
It is the responsibility of all research students to ensure research undertaken is ethically sound. Ethics approval must be sought prior to any form of primary data collection. For more information on research ethics process, please see below links:
- All research involving humans that is not greater than low or negligible risk can be reviewed by one our Faculty-based ethics sub-committees. Please direct all questions regarding low or negligible risk process to bellnr@uq.edu.au.
- Research involving humans that is greater than low or negligible risk will be reviewed by one of UQ’s Human Research Ethics Committee in a full committee meeting.
- Please liaise with your Business School academic supervisor for assistance with ethics application process.
The ethics committee meet fortnightly to assess ethics applications. The cut-off date for submissions is one week prior to each scheduled meeting.
Project Format and Word Count
The report must be a minimum of 10,000 words with an upper limit of 12,000 words of 1.5 line-spaced (minimum) in 12 point Times New Roman font. Left and right hand margins and top and bottom margins should be no less than 25mm. The word limit includes tables, figures and references but excludes any appendices.The fly page must show:
- The University of Queensland
- Faculty of Business, Economics & Law
- UQ Business School
- (the title)
A project submitted to the Business School, The University of Queensland, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of (program title) [e.g. Master of Business].
- by (student's name)
- the date
- Supervisor: (name)
On a separate page, show ‘Acknowledgements’ which must include a sign
Submission guidelines
The research project is to be submitted electronically to Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link. The report will be subject to plagiarism checks through Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Extension requests can be submitted via my.UQ. Students will need to provide relevant evidence to support the extension request and written support from their academic supervisor and course coordinator prior to submitting a request. We recommend students meet with their supervisor prior to submitting an extension application to map out their thesis milestone timelines, and their expected submission date.
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.
Extensions will only be granted according to the University of Queensland policy, in extenuating circumstances, which are beyond the student’s control.
Note: delaying your thesis submission may delay the conferral of your degree.
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 available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Marking of Research Thesis
In the event a third examiner is required to moderate the research thesis, the following process applies:
- In the event the variance between the first and second examiner is greater than 10 or across two grade thresholds, a third examiner will be employed for moderation.
- Upon finalisation of the third examiner marks, the final average mark for the research thesis is taken from the two examiner marks closely aligned (i.e., within 10 marks or same grade threshold).
- In the event the variance between all three examiners is greater than 10 or across multiple grade thresholds, the final average grade for the research thesis is taken from across all three examiners.
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 From Week 1 To Week 26 |
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.