Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 8
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Students are required to complete a research thesis on a selected topic within their area of major interest. Students commencing in Semester 1 must enrol in RBUS7995 for both semesters. Students commencing in Semester 2 must enrol in RBUS7996 for both semesters.
The thesis is an enhancing element of the program consisting of a piece of independent research completed by the student under the supervision of an academic member of the UQ Business School. The student will learn how to conduct research in a practical way by developing and writing the thesis. The student will become familiar with the processes involved in doing research, ie conducting a literature review, develop and test hypotheses, analyse and interpret results, and the write-up.
Students are required to complete a research thesis on a selected topic within their area of major interest. Topic to be approved by Business School Associate Director of Education (Postgraduate). Students commencing in semester 1 must enrol in RBUS7995 for both semester 1 and semester 2.
Pre-requisites and 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:
RBUS7981 or 7982 or 7983 or 7991 or 7992 or 7993
Course contact
Lecturer
Associate Professor Anna Jenkins
Timetable
Additional timetable information
The thesis is regarded as independent research study. You are encouraged to create a regular and realistic work schedule with your supervisor. Optional seminars are run throughout the semester to support the thesis writing process.ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the research thesis is to provide the opportunity to learn how to conduct high quality rigorous research under academic supervision.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Develop research questions anchored in academic literature.
LO2.
Conduct a literature review.
LO3.
Select and design an appropriate research methodology.
LO4.
Collect, analyse and interpret data.
LO5.
Draw sound conclusions in line with the theoretical framing of the study.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Research Proposal Presentation | 10% |
2/06/2025
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. |
| Thesis | Research Thesis | 90% |
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
Friday (Last Teaching Week) |
Assessment details
Research Proposal Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
2/06/2025
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
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.
AI Statement
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Students should upload their slides to Blackboard prior to their presentation.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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.
Research Thesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 90%
- Due date
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
Friday (Last Teaching Week)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The empirical Master’s thesis follows the same basic format as an Honours thesis or PhD thesis. To that end, unless otherwise instructed by the supervisor, the thesis will have a minimum chapter content likely to include:
- Introduction
- Literature review and/or Theory development
- Research Design and Methodology
- Results (Analysis of research data)
- Discussion
- Conclusion
The above structure is an example for an empirical thesis, depending on your specific topic and discipline, your supervisor may suggest different headings or structure. 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.
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 UQ 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.
Thesis Format and Word Count
The thesis must be the lesser of 20,000 words in length or 100 pages of double spaced printing in 12-point Times New Roman font on A4 paper.
Note: marking will cease should the research thesis exceed 20,000 words (not including cover page, acknowledgements, disclaimer, and appendices)
The fly page must show:
- The University of Queensland
- Faculty of Business, Economics & Law
- UQ Business School
- (the title)
A thesis submitted to the UQ 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 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."
The marking guide for your thesis is provided by course coordinator. This is also available via Blackboard course site.
Research Data and Thesis Submission.
The research thesis is to be submitted electronically to Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link. The report will be subject to plagiarism checks through Turnitin.
If your research project required ethics approval, you will also be required to upload evidence of this when submitting your thesis electronically. Please refer to the 'Assessment' folder for your research thesis for more information.
Business School research students are obligated to submit all research data through the UQ Research Data Manager (UQRDM). Instructions on how to set up your research project are available via UQ Library. For assistance with this process, please contact Business School Librarian at UQ Library.
Students whom submit a research thesis are required to submit their final thesis for upload to UQ eSpace. This repository aims to create global visibility and accessibility of UQ's scholarly research. You will have the opportunity to revise your thesis after submission for upload to UQ eSpace. Your Postgraduate Student Liaison Officer will be in contact with you after release of final grades to provide an opportunity to revise your thesis. For any student that does not submit a revised thesis, the School will revert to your original thesis on file (unless an alternative arrangement has been approved by the School).
AI Statemente
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 research thesis is to be submitted electronically to Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link. The thesis will be subject to plagiarism checks through Turnitin.
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.
Additional learning resources information
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 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Week 2: Week 2: Designing your research project & Literature reviews Planning your project & Literature Reviews Date, Time & Location 6 March 14.00-16.00. 35-112 - Chamberlain Building Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Week 5: Method & Data Analysis Date, Time & Location 27 March 14.00-16.00. 35-112 - Chamberlain Building Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Week 9: Writing the discussion, drawing conclusions from the data analysis Date, Time & Location May 1st 14.00-16.00. 35-112 - Chamberlain Building Learning outcomes: L05 |
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.