Course Title: Conduct research
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2015
Course Code: COMM5916C
Course Title: Conduct research
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-4815
Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Lorna Hendry
lorna.hendry@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
Conducting research and analysing your findings is an important part of writing a wide range of business documents and projects. This unit is designed to cover the skills and knowledge required for you to conduct comprehensive research in response to a brief.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFRES401A Conduct research |
Element: |
2. Conduct research |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify sources of informaton and potential contributors relevant to research briefs |
Element: |
3. Analyse research findings |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Analyse and interpret data or information gathered |
Element: |
4. Present research findings |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Organise information logically and clearly in the agreed format |
Element: |
1. Clarify research brief |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Confirm topic or content to be researched with relevant personnel, including deadlines for completion. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to use a range of research and data gathering techniques to gather the information needed to write a range of business documents and projects.
Details of Learning Activities
This course is co-delivered with BSBPMG510A Major Projects
In this course, you will learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/ projects
- guest speakers
- group discussion
- class exercises
- workshopping
2. Out-of-class activities:
- online and other research
- independent and group project based work
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Week | Class Content | Assessments | CUFRES401A | BSBPMG510A |
1 |
Course outline/assessment Computer lab: |
1.1-1.4 | 1.1-1.3. | |
2 |
Note-taking skills Computer lab: |
2.1-2.3 2.5 |
1.3-1.6 | |
3 |
Working in teams – group theory Computer lab: |
2.3-2.8 3.1-3.4 4.1 |
2.5 3.1 3.2 |
|
4 |
Present pitches Computer lab: |
Assessment Task 1 |
4.2-4.4 | 2.1 3.3 |
5 |
Managing conflict Computer lab: |
1.7 | 3.4 | |
6 |
Customer/stakeholder needs Computer lab: |
2.2 | ||
7 |
Budgeting – internal and external Computer lab: |
2.4 4.1 |
||
8 |
Present progress reports Computer lab: |
1.6 | ||
9 |
Feedback on progress reports Computer lab: |
|
2.6 | |
10 |
Risk management and contingency plans Computer lab: |
Assessment Task 2 |
1.5 | 2.3 3.5-3.7 |
11 |
Feedback on project plan Computer lab: |
4.2 5.1 |
||
12 |
Develop resources for attendees – guidance materials, activity sheets, programs, etc. Computer lab: |
3.3 3.4 |
||
13 |
Evaluating a project – feedback sheets/survey Computer lab: |
5.1 5.2 |
||
14 |
Presentation skills Computer lab: |
4.2 | ||
15 | Guest speaker: TBC Rehearse team presentation Computer lab: |
Assesment Task 2 Project plan: Deliverable 2 |
3.5 3.7 4.3 5.3 |
|
16 | Team presentations |
Assessment Task 3 Team presentations |
5.7 | |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
You are advised to check the Blackboard site for additional information and resources. |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:
- participation in written exercises, in class and online
- oral presentations
- the application of learned skills and insights to researching in response to a brief.
Assessment Tasks
This course is assessed with BSBPMG510A Manage Projects.
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 2 Deliverable 2 and Assessment Task 3 (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria and grading rubric).
Assessment tasks
1. Individual presentation: Project pitch. Due Week 4 (29 July)
You will research a potential project and make a short pitch to the class for it to be taken on as one of the class’s activities for the semester.
2. Project plan. Submitted in two (2) parts
- Deliverable 1. Due Week 10 (9 September)
- Deliverable 2. Due Week 15 (28 October) (graded)
As a team, you will create, maintain and update a comprehensive, well-organised and professionally presented project plan that documents all aspects of your project. Individually you will write a personal reflection on the project. Deliverables will be submitted in 2 parts.
3. Group presentation. Due Week 16 (4 November) (graded)
As a team, you will present a review of your project to the class. Every member will participate actively in the presentation and some audio and/or visual content is required.
Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:
- CHD Competent with High Distinction
- CDI Competent with Distinction
- CC Competent with Credit
- CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
- NYC Not Yet Competent
- DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Grading criteria for this assessment can be found on the course Blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact in Program Administration.
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Feedback - You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration.Special consideration, appeals and discipline
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism -
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview