81548 Research Methods and Proposal
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Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This is the first of two subjects in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (Honours) program. In this subject, qualifying final year BCII students are equipped with skills and theoretical foundations needed to develop a transdisciplinary research proposal. Students explore the distinct characteristics of transdisciplinary research, its pragmatic and scholarly opportunities and challenges, as well as experiment with diverse methods, skills, and strategies that enable transdisciplinary practitioners to creatively and rigorously navigate their research. Drawing on individual and shared interests, as well as disciplinary and professional experience, students also learn how to find common ground and build effective collaborations with diverse stakeholders, as well as work and communicate across disciplinary and non-disciplinary boundaries with peers and relevant stakeholders in a community of practice, with the aim of identifying, developing, and evaluating a novel transdisciplinary individual research topic. By the end of the subject, students have gained a deeper understanding of the principles, practices, and methods of transdisciplinary research, honed core skills required for engaging in creative, rigorous, and socially responsible research, and co-created a research proposal for an individual Honours thesis research project.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Acquire and employ the theoretical foundations, principles, skills, and methods of transdisciplinary research; |
|---|---|
| 2. | Systematically document their ongoing research and learnings in a way that supports the development of their research proposal; |
| 3. | Learn to provide and receive critical and constructive peer feedback on successive iterations of their work, and to employ this feedback to gradually refine their work; |
| 4. | Produce a well-considered and expanded version of their final Research Proposal as well as a research Ethics Application. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:
- Identify and evaluate complex challenges by analysing system dynamics, constraints, and potential leverage points, using disciplinary perspectives, evidence, and diverse viewpoints. (1.1)
- Independently identify and trial novel research and discovery practices to elicit transdisciplinary insights. (2.1)
- Articulate and justify research design to demonstrate rigour in creative and critical thinking. (3.1)
- Synthesise and persuasively communicate novel transdisciplinary ideas with depth and clarity, using appropriate modalities. (3.2)
- Develop reflexive connection with an evolving self, demonstrating ethical and intellectual positions that reflect well-considered values that enable greater purpose and inclusivity. (4.1)
- Critically reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's contexts to inform transdisciplinary research practices to work with and for Indigenous Australians. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Your experiences as a student in this subject will support you to develop the following graduate attributes:
GA1 – Holistic analysis
GA2 – Transformative creativity
GA3 – Action orientation and TD experimentation
GA4 – Contextual and self-awareness
GA5 – IGA: UTS graduates will have knowledge of Indigenous Australian contexts to inform their capability to work effectively for and with Indigenous Australians within their profession
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject builds on the final written work submitted for the prerequisite subject 81528 New Knowledge Making Lab (NKML); it involves iterative cycles of peer feedback, supported by a program of in-class activities and guest sessions, as well as supervised independent research-based learning; and the main final deliverables for this subject will provide the starting point for the final subject in the BCII Honours track, namely 81549 Honours Thesis.
The coursework component of this subject delivered during in-class sessions and interactive activities provides students with advanced conceptual tools and practical transdisciplinary research skills that they will employ outside of class time to gradually expand their knowledge of the field relevant to their individual research topic, which will in turn support their production of a well-considered, refined, and expanded final draft of their Research Proposal and Ethics Application (the main deliverables for this subject). These research tools, skills, knowledge, and main deliverables will continue to be further honed and used in the context of putting together the 12,000 word submission for the final subject 81549 Honours Thesis in the BCII Honours track.
Assessments 1, 2, and 3 are both formative and summative, and Assessment 4 is summative. While Assessments 2 and 4 are Individual assessments, Assessments 1 and 3 involve a component of group-work given that they are peer feedback exercises.
Content (topics)
Foundations of Transdisciplinary Research
Research Methodology and Methods
Traditional and Non-Traditional Research Outputs
Collaborative and Iterative Research Processes
Identification of and Ethical Collaboration With and For Stakeholders
Academic Integrity and Research Ethics
Individual Agency in Planning and Conducting Research
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Peer Feedback on two NKML submissions
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1 |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
Assessment task 2: Article Summaries
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
Assessment task 3: Peer Feedback on one peer’s Research Proposal
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1 |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
Assessment task 4: Research Proposal and Ethics Application
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:
This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
Minimum requirements
Students must attempt each assessment task and achieve an overall pass mark in order to pass this subject.
Late penalties apply to all assessment tasks as outlined in the TD School Student Guide. Please consult this booklet for other useful information including Special Consideration, Plagiarism, Extension, and Student Support Services.
A minimum of 80% of attendance of classes (as outlined in the timetable) is required.