Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 6
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
A #6 course for students who intend to undertake a postgraduate research degree.
SLAT7853 is a research dissertation which is taken in the last semester of study. The dissertation will address a focused topic, and will be designed so as to be feasible within the given time constraints.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The student should have a GPA of at least a 6, including at least a 6 in SLAT7806 Research Methods. Admission is discretionary according to supervisor's interest and permission.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SLAT7806
Course staff
Timetable
Additional timetable information
Aside from an induction meeting at the beginning of the semester, all contact/meeting arrangements mustﾠbe negotiated between supervisee/supervisor at the start of the semester.ﾠ
To create equity among students with different supervisors, students should be made aware that supervisors are awarded 2 hours per week to supervise students, and that supervisors are not to be expected to read and comment on multiple complete drafts of student's work. Students are reminded that all research work and analysis should be completed by the student themselves, and not the supervisor.
Aims and outcomes
SLAT7853 aims to provide an opportunity for students to concentrate on a specific topic and to develop it in depth. The dissertation may provide a means of bringing together and rounding off coursework MA studies; or it may provide a springboard for later research degrees and initiatives; or both. Students will work under the supervision of an academic staff member to develop and refine their research capacity.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
approach research tasks with critical awareness
LO2.
identify the relevant bibliography and materials
LO3.
identify an appropriate methodology
LO4.
identify appropriate theoretical frameworks
LO5.
conceptualise and plan the project
LO6.
organise and argue in an academically professional manner
LO7.
write in an academically professional manner
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Thesis Presentation
|
Complete/Incomplete |
28/04/2025 - 9/05/2025
Week 9 - Week 10 |
| Thesis |
Dissertation
|
100% |
9/06/2025 4:00 pm
Exam Week 1 |
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
Thesis Presentation
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- Complete/Incomplete
- Due date
28/04/2025 - 9/05/2025
Week 9 - Week 10
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
SLAT7853 students must give a 15-minute presentation (+ 5 minutes for comments/questions) on their dissertation topic in Weeks 9 and/or 10.
All the presentations will be done live.
Due Date: Weeks 9 and 10
Weight: Complete/Incomplete
The sign-on link will be provided in the Assessment folder in Week 4 (an announcement will be made a couple of days prior to that). The sign-on will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
On a Monday in the week of your presentation, you will need to submit a 300-word abstract, excluding references (please submit the abstract to the course coordinator via email and add SLAT7853 presentation abstract in the subject line of that email).
Your presentation should include:
- Motivation of your project
- Description of your topic/phenomenon
- Literature review
- Data and methodology
- Preliminary data analysis/results.
Statement on Gen AI & MT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
While this Presentation is not assessed, i.e., it does not have % weighting on students' overall mark for this course, all students must complete it in order to receive feedback on their research project. Failure to complete this task will result in a maximum grade of 3 for the course.Submission guidelines
This is an in-person, in-class assessment.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Presentations are scheduled to take place over a period of two weeks. No extensions will be granted as all students will have to present their dissertation project in person with a public audience.
Dissertation
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 100%
- Due date
9/06/2025 4:00 pm
Exam Week 1
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
You need to submit an original research-focused dissertation on a language- or culture-related issue or topic. The thesis length required is 10,000 words, including figures, tables, footnotes, but excluding references and appendices. Theses longer than 12,000 words will be penalised. The thesis should encompass the following sections, allowing for some variation based on your specific research area:
Introduction (including rationale)
- Clearly articulate the purpose and significance of your research.
- Provide a strong rationale for the chosen topic.
- Detail relevant concepts.
- Describe and exemplify the phenomenon you are investigating (if applicable).
- Provide the reader with a short description of the structure of your thesis.
Literature Review
- Present a comprehensive review of relevant literature.
- Try the existing research to your research objective.
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of existing research in your field.
- Ensure smooth transitions between themes and sections.
- Conclude the literature review with a clear and specific statement of your research question(s), grounded in and motivated by existing research.
Data and Methods
- Outline the data collection process and methodologies employed.
- Provide detailed insights into your research design.
- Clearly describe the data and the data processing or selection of examples as well as the analysis.
Results & Discussion/Analysis & Discussion
- Present your findings, supported by figures and tables where applicable.
- Interpret the results in light of the existing, relevant literature.
- Engage in a thorough discussion or analysis of the results.
- Optionally, these can be presented as separate sections.
Conclusions
- Summarize key findings.
- Evaluate any shortcomings or limitations of your study.
- Discuss the broader implications and potential avenues for future research.
Evaluation
- The dissertation will undergo evaluation by two examiners.
- The supervisor will receive and discuss examiners' reports during a meeting.
- The supervisor may address any concerns raised by the examiners.
- Students are encouraged to engage in discussions with the supervisor, either face-to-face or via email, to gain insights into their results.
Statement on Gen AI & MT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin. The link will be made available on UQ Learn/Blackboard. Please neame the submitted thesis according to the following schema: "SLAT7853_Dissertation_YOURNAME".
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.
A maximum 28-day extension is allowed for this final assessment task. However, students who are granted an extension longer than 14 days, will receive an INC (incomplete) grade as they will not meet the UQ deadline for submission of final results/grade calculations. Also, please note that where examiners' results diverge, a third examiner will be asked to assess the thesis, which, depending on the extension request, may also have an impact on timely finalisation of grades. This may pose challenges for students graduating at the end of the semester. Please discuss with your course coordinator before submitting an extension request.
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 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has not submitted the thesis by the specified date. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has not completed the thesis satisfactorily. The conceptualization of the topic is not sufficiently focused or specific, and/or the methodology is inappropriate or poorly applied, and/or the literature is insufficiently researched and interpreted, and/or the analysis is inconclusive, and/or the academic writing is not at a sufficient level. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. While the student has made some attempt at an appropriate conceptualization of the topic, methodology, literature review and analysis, the thesis as a whole is inconclusive and fails to reach the minimal standards for a pass. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has written an adequate thesis.ﾠ The literature review covers the area, but not in great depth or breadth.ﾠ The methodology is suitable to the research, but lacks clarity and consistency, and is not applied with real rigor.ﾠ The analysis of the findings is just adequate, but its outcomes are modest.ﾠ The discussion and conclusion lack depth and understanding of the findings.ﾠ Academic writing is adequate. Referencing is adequate but restricted. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has written an adequate thesis.ﾠ The literature review covers key references in the area of study, but does not give evidence of significant wider search or critique.ﾠ The methodology is suitable to the research questions, and is applied with some consistency.ﾠ The analysis of the findings is satisfactory, but fails to reveal deeper levels of understanding.ﾠ The discussion and conclusion are consistent but not really incisive.ﾠ The thesis is generally properly formatted and referenced, following the APA guidelines. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has written a clear and useful thesis.ﾠ The literature review has covered the area of study with up to date references and shows evidence of some wider independent investigation.ﾠ The methodology has been explained carefully and clearly and is appropriate, and is applied with some rigor and perception.ﾠ The analysis is thorough and well written and shows signs of enhanced understanding. The discussion is clear and develops the themes identified.ﾠThe conclusions are appropriate to the research findings and cogently presented. The thesis is properly formatted and referenced, following the APA guidelines. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has written an excellent thesis.ﾠThe literature review has covered the area of study thoroughly with up to date and seminal references, and shows wider investigation, originality and critique.ﾠ The methodology has been explained carefully and clearly, and has been designed well to answer the research questions; it is consisently and cogently applied.ﾠ The analysis has been done clearly and incisively.ﾠ The discussion has been written with flair and thoroughly explains the research findings, showing evidence of enhanced understanding and perception.ﾠ Thoughtful and useful conclusions have been drawn, showing some originality, and approaching the level of publishable quality.ﾠ The thesis is properly formatted and referenced, following the APA guidelines. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
STATEMENT ON HELP WITH ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments submitted should be the work of the student and the student alone. This means that students are NOT to seek unauthorised outside help (which may include help from other students, teachers, private tutors, ghost writers, native speakers, or electronic translation software such as Google Translate, etc.) either in the preparation of assignments or in checking for errors before assignments are submitted. Cases where students are suspected of having used outside help will be referred to theﾠSchool of Languages and Cultures Integrity Officer for further investigation. Students who use outside help may be found guilty of academic misconduct which can attract significant penalties. The University’s policy on Student Integrity and Misconduct is available at http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct
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 13 |
Not Timetabled |
Supervised research Students will undertake supervised research in a specified area of Applied Linguistics. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
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.