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Unit of Study SCI83011 - Scientific Research, Context, Perspective and Method (2016)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    For part-time students, this unit is required to be completed first.

Unit description

Introduces researchers studying or working in the field of science to the range of theoretical frameworks which may inform different types of scientific research and to the methods and methodologies which may be employed in the scientific research process. Encourages students to acquire the skills necessary to carry out, produce and report well designed and articulated research proposals and projects.

Unit content

  1. Orientation: the nature of research; types of research.

  2. The processes of developing a research project: planning and design; identifying the scope and range of a research project; the research design; research methods; formulating research questions; articulating research aims; the ethics of research

  3. Writing a research proposal: identification and articulation of theoretical frameworks and knowledge gaps relevant to your topic; literature reviews, identification and articulation of methodology; writing the text; citation and referencing; articulating expected outcomes; budget justification

  4. Introduction to research dissemination skills (scientific writing)

Content will depend on the individual honours project.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1,  2 Session 1,  2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour Session 1,  2 Session 1,  2
Online Session 1,  2,  3 N/A

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 think critically about scientific techniques and methods used in research
2 demonstrate awareness of current scientific issues and methods
3 integrate scientific and management concepts and theories
4 develop a well designed and articulated research proposal including project summary, project description and budget.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. think critically about scientific techniques and methods used in research
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  2. demonstrate awareness of current scientific issues and methods
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  3. integrate scientific and management concepts and theories
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
    • GA7:
  4. develop a well designed and articulated research proposal including project summary, project description and budget.
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.