15624 Local Government Research Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): ((15604c Local Government Principles and Practice OR 49460 Local Government Management Principles and Practice 1) AND (15608c Organising and Managing in Local Government OR 49277 Corporate Planning and Management) AND 15623 Local Government Research Planning)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Requisite elaboration/waiver:
15623 Local Government Research Planning
Description
Having completed the preparatory steps for the research study in 15623 Research in a Local Government Context A, students work together with their research supervisor, who supports them in carrying out the reading, research and writing necessary to conduct original research and complete the dissertation.
Students are expected to gather and analyse the data collected and incorporate appropriate adjustments to their research design and literature review if necessary. The first assignment involves writing up a draft dissertation. The feedback received should then be incorporated into the final dissertation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Ability to formulate, design and carry out original applied research in a local government context. |
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| 2. | Ability to incorporate and review literature pertaining to the chosen topic. |
| 3. | Ability to analyse and explain the findings drawing on pertinent literature. |
| 4. | Ability to draw out implications from their research findings for current and future local government practice and compiled recommendations drawing on the findings of the study. |
| 5. | Ability to plan, construct and present a research-based dissertation which reflects all of the above. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Address issues in local government and intergovernmental organisations with an attitude that is open, ethical and empathetic (A.1)
- Develop critically informed and innovative approaches to understanding local government and intergovernmental issues in domestic and international contexts (I.1)
- Apply and lead creative, evidence-based approaches to complex, real-world issues in local government and related organisations (I.2)
- Apply an advanced understanding of theories and debates in local government and intergovernmental relations, including Indigenous perspectives, and articulate this understanding across a range of organisational types (P.3)
- Consider, analyse and evaluate complex arguments and multiple interests within specific contexts, particularly as they pertain to local government and intergovernmental relations (R.1)
- Conduct independent applied research to develop a deep understanding of complex policy problems and innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions pertaining to government and its stakeholders (R.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
The teaching and learning approaches adopted in this applied research subject are based on adult education and practitioner researcher principles. They include the following:
- Individual consultation and discussion by the subject coordinator with the students at the outset of their research journeys, in order to help them define the scope and purpose of their proposed research.
- Linkage is made with their research supervisors, who provide mentoring, administrative and expert support throughout the research process.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research Report (Draft Dissertation)
| Intent: | This assignment requires that students complete a draft mini dissertation. This will involve drafting a rationale for the study, mapping the context, describing the aims and research questions, writing up the methodology, and analysing the findings. The main aim of this assignment is to impart to students knowledge, confidence, and skills in the carrying out of original research and the writing up of the data collected. For this assessment, students complete a substantially advanced draft of their dissertation upon which they receive formative feedback. A recommended outline for structuring the report is provided below. This is a link to previous dissertations completed by Masters of Local Government students. |
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, I.1, I.2, P.3, R.1 and R.3 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Research Report (Final Dissertation)
| Intent: | This assignment requires that students respond to comments made by the supervisor to the draft mini dissertation and refine the various components – the rationale for the study, the context, the aims and research questions, the methodology, and the analysis of the findings. |
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, I.1, I.2, P.3, R.1 and R.3 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 70% |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.