ITECH 5500 Professional Research and Communication CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 1 of 5 Research Proposal Overview The purpose of this assessment is to enable students to demonstrate a critical awareness of previous research in an IT context within a chosen topic area through a basic understanding of research theory and techniques. It requires clear communication of ideas in a professional manner so that the reader can easily understand the purpose and results of your research. Overall goals of this assignment are to help you to: Become more knowledgeable about finding and using varied research sources in your chosen area in IT. Further develop your critical thinking skills and back up your points with evidence. Become more adept at synthesizing information and developing informed views. Discipline yourself to follow a scholarly research format to document in-text sources and a references page (bibliography). Compose a well-organized, clear, concise, research paper to expand your knowledge on a research question in your chosen area. You may work on this report individually or in a group of two (maximum). You are responsible for identifying your own topic for this proposal. You may use the same topic as for your earlier interim proposal, but the proposal submitted for this task should be considerably better developed and more detailed. Timelines and Expectations Percentage Value of Task: 50 % Due: 17.00 Friday Week 12 Minimum time expectation: 20-30 hours Learning Outcomes Assessed The following course learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment: Knowledge: K1. Determine the role IT research plays in contributing to organisational innovation, and success. K2. Critique advanced communication theory for organisations. K3. Identify appropriate research philosophies for IT projects, which match organisational approaches. K4. Identify appropriate methodologies and methods, for an organisational IT research project. Skills: S1. Utilise effective communication practice in organisations. S2. Demonstrate expert English language skills in academic and professional contexts. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 2 of 5 S3. Evaluate the quality and utility of literature sourced. S4. Undertake a literature review for an organisational IT research project. Application of knowledge and skills: A1. Compose a research proposal and report on a topic related to an organisational IT research project. A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences. Assessment Details Background The mini research report provides a detailed description of a proposed research idea. It is similar to an essay and needs to be in a formal style with introduction, body and conclusion. In addition it requires a critical analysis and a coherent presentation. Requirements Each individual student or group is required to submit a mini research report (2500-3000 words excluding the title, abstract, table of contents and references/bibliography). The purpose of this task is to assist students to prepare and write a scholarly paper at an appropriate standard for this level of study. You have already done quite a bit of work for this research in tutorials: you should have a tentative research issue, strategies and evidence to persuade your readers about the significance of the problem you’re researching, as well as the validity of your research issues. You also should consider opposing views or good counter-arguments that you can address in order to help establish your credibility and enhance the relevance of your paper. Report Layout The research proposal must contain the following sections, submitted in the order as listed below- Title Page – selection of an informative title Abstract - summarization of the significant concepts in the study focusing on key aspects (major results and conclusions) Table of Contents. Introduction – outline of the thesis, problem, question, etc. (stating the thesis/theory in terms of relationship among variables and examining the problem or investigating the question, or the like) and preview of the structure of the paper. Literature Review- demonstration of the ability to find significant sources, familiarity with the existing body of knowledge, analysis of existing research, and learning through a careful reading of existing scholarship. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 3 of 5 Methodology - procedures and processes undertaken in your investigation/study including the research design– study type, variables, and data collection methods (as applicable). Discussion and implications of research – Discuss with reasons whether your study needs Ethics clearance. Discuss findings that might occur and their potential impact on the field Conclusion – briefly restate the research highlighting the implications of your research References- include relevant literature sources (in-text citation and a list of full-text references) Appendices (if applicable) - tables, graphs, charts or any other material related to the study not included in the main paper but referred to. Note: Students are required to follow the ‘General guide to referencing’ and ‘Guide to Writing and Study Skills’- specially the ‘Layout and Appearance’ and the ‘Report’ sections. http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing2014.pdf http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-StudySkills.pdf [For distribution of marks, see the Marking Rubric at the end of this document] Submission Submit an electronic copy of the Research Report via the Turnitin submission link on the course Moodle page. Please refer to the Course Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and plagiarism. A reminder all academic regulations can be accessed via the university’s website, see: http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation Research Proposal via the Turnitin link You will be able to view the originality report immediately after submission. You are advised to submit earlier so that you can check the originality report and make necessary changes (by paraphrasing, adding appropriate in-text citation/referencing etc.) to eliminate matching and avoid PLAGIARISM. You may re-submit the assignment until the due date/time. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 4 of 5 Marking Criteria/Rubric ITECH5500 Research Report- Marking Rubric Student Id. Student Name Category Excellent Good Acceptable Poor/Unacceptable Marks Introduction 8-10 Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s) and terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement. 6-7 Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 3-5 Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 0-2 Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement. /10 Literature Review 14-20 Sources are exceptionally wellintegrated and they support claims argued in the paper very effectively. 8-13 Sources are well integrated and support the paper’s claims. 4-7 Sources support some claims made in the paper, but might not be integrated well within the paper’s argument. 0-3 The paper does not use adequate research or if it does, the sources are not integrated well. /20 Methods (and Methodology) 14-20 Appropriate procedures and processes included and clear design of the research addressed. 8-13 Procedures and processes are included, and research design is somewhat clear. 4-7 Some procedures and processes included, and research design is not clear. 0-3 Procedures and processes are absent or vague, and research design is not addressed or very poorly addressed. /20 Discussion of implications of research 8-10 Exceptionally wellpresented and argued. Ideas are detailed, welldeveloped, supported with specific evidence and facts, as well as in-depth analysis. 6-7 Well-presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, developed and supported with evidence and details, mostly specific, displays evidence of basic analysis. 3-5 Content is sound. Ideas are present but not particularly developed or supported; some evidence of analysis, but usually of a generalized nature. 0-2 Content is presented but not sound, and analysis is vague or not evident. /10 Conclusion 8-10 The conclusion is engaging and strong integration with the thesis statement. 6-7 The conclusion restates the thesis. 3-5 The conclusion does not adequately restate the thesis. 0-2 Incomplete and/or unfocused. Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis. /10 Overall Organization 9-10 Well-planned, logically-flowing and well-thought out. Includes informative title, 6-8 Good overall organization and somewhat logically-flowing. Includes title, 3-5 There is a sense of organization. Includes title, abstract with few key aspects and a 0-2 No/lack of sense of organization. Missing title and/or a TOC. Also missing abstract or /10 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 5 of 5 an abstract that summarizes key aspects and an appropriate TOC. abstract with some key aspects and a TOC. TOC. includes abstract that is vague. Grammar & Mechanics 8-10 Excellent grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation. 6-7 A few errors in grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation, but not many. 3-5 Shows a pattern of errors in spelling, grammar, syntax and/or punctuation- a sign of lack of proof-reading. 0-2 Continuous errors /10 References and Formatting 9-10 Includes range of legitimate references (internet, articles, quotations, books and journals etc.). Correct use of referencing and citation using APA style. Used University Guide for layout and appearance. 6-8 Few errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. 3-5 Some errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. 0-2 Many errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. /10 Total (out of 100) Scaled (out of 50) Comments (if any): Marked by: