11391 Research Methods, Information Retrieval and Project Proposal

Description

This subject introduces students to the fundamental skills underpinning sound academic research. The subject provides an overview of disciplinary-specific research methods and approaches to the collection and organisation of information. With this overview, students learn to support their thesis proposal by undertaking a literature review and defining an appropriate research method.

This subject supports 11392 Honours Thesis: Preparatory. Its focus is on enabling students to define and develop the academic structures required for a sound thesis proposal. Therefore, the final project proposal is demonstrative; it should show a student's capacity both to define and enact a relevant research method and complete a comprehensive literature review. The overall objective is to develop an advanced awareness of the research structures and skills required in postgraduate study.

The honours program is an individually defined project, typically taught on a one-on-one basis between student and supervisor. The negotiation of this learning contract may result in a range of different study programs, but contact typically occurs on a weekly basis.