ITECH 5500 Professional Research and Communication
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 are responsible for identifying your own topic for this proposal. You may use the same topic as for your
Assignment 2 literature review, but if you do then the literature review section of this proposal should be
substantially revised from that submitted for Assignment 2 – you should have identified further papers, and the
focus of this review should be more specific to your research proposal rather than the broad topic area.
Timelines and Expectations
Percentage Value of Task: 40 %
Due: 12 pm Friday September 28th (Week 11)
Minimum time expectation: 2-3 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.
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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 student has to submit a mini research report (3000-3500 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.
A. Report Layout (20%)
The mini research report 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.
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•
Methods (and Methodology)- procedures and processes undertaken in your
investigation/study including the research design– study type, research question, hypotheses,
variables, and data collection methods (as applicable).
•
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- 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-andStudySkills.pdf
[For distribution of marks, see the Marking Rubric at the end of this document]
B. Reflective Journal (10%)
You are required to produce a Reflective Journal (approximately 1000 words) that has been
ongoing and progressive in terms of reporting ideas developed and other findings for the
purposes of the research work.
For this part of the assignment, write up a Reflective Journal of all work relating to your
research topic and research idea as you have progressed through on a weekly basis, based on
your weekly work/exercises.
•
A Reflective Journal is a tool that allows students to reflect on and write about their progress
in their learning. They can identify and reflect on success and challenges. Its purpose is:
o To record the development of your ideas and insights through the weekly exercises
o To reflect on your own learning process o To analyze and discuss key issues
covered by class work and/or readings
•
In other words, a Reflective Journal is a personal record of your progress and your
developments in thinking about a subject or a topic. Although it’s a more informal style of
writing than other academic assignments, you now need to submit it as regular entries
developed over a period of time- from week 1 till week 10. Your reflective journal forms the
basis of your research report.
•
Consider the following when writing a reflective journal:
o Describe events and your experience on weekly basis (weeks 1-10 based on the
Tutorial-Workshops Part B) – What did I do/hear/see?
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o Interpret and evaluate the events from your perspective – What do I think about it
now? How does it relate to other things that I know?
o Explain your experience- reveal your new insights, connections with other learning,
your hypotheses, and your conclusions.
o Have I changed how I think about the situation? How have I used these to help
organize my writing?
•
Create individual weekly headings to reflect on and add a brief conclusion on the reflections
at the end, all as suggested above.
[Adapted from the following sources: Morley-Warner, T. (2000), Academic writing is: A guide to writing in a
university context, Centre for Research and Education in the Arts, Sydney.]
C – Ethics Application(10%)
Include a fully completed ethics application in your submission. Refer to the lecture slides from
week 7 for details of how to complete each section and to tutorial 7 for the links to the appropriate
documentation
Submission
Submit an electronic copy of the Research Report along with your Reflective Journal and Ethics
Application 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.
Marking Criteria/Rubric
ITECH5500 Research Report- Marking Rubric
Student Id.
Category
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Student Name
Excellent
Assignment Proposal.docx
Good
Acceptable
Poor/Unacceptable
Marks
Page 4 of 8
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.
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
Sources support
some claims made
in the paper, but
might not be
integrated well
within the paper’s
argument.
4-7 Some
procedures and
processes
included, and
research design is
not clear.
/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 Wellpresented 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.
0-3
Procedures and
processes are
absent or vague, and
research design is
not addressed or
very poorly
addressed.
0-2 Content
is presented but not
sound, and analysis
is vague or not
evident.
Conclusion
8-10 The
conclusion is
engaging and
strong integration
with the thesis
statement.
9-10
Well-planned,
logically-flowing
and well-thought
out. Includes
informative title,
an abstract that
summarizes key
aspects and an
appropriate TOC.
6-7 The
conclusion
restates the
thesis.
3-5 The
conclusion does
not adequately
restate the thesis.
/10
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
TOC.
0-2
Incomplete and/or
unfocused. Does not
summarize evidence
with respect to
thesis.
0-2
No/lack of sense of
organization. Missing
title and/or a TOC.
Also missing
abstract or
includes abstract that
is vague.
Overall
Organization
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abstract with
some key
aspects and a
TOC.
Assignment Proposal.docx
/10
/10
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Grammar &
Mechanics
8-10
6-7 A
Excellent grammar, few errors in
grammar,
spelling, syntax
spelling, syntax
and punctuation.
and punctuation,
but not many.
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 Shows
a pattern of errors
in spelling,
grammar, syntax
and/or
punctuation- a
sign of lack of
proof-reading.
3-5 Some
errors in
references or
citations and also
in layout and
appearance.
0-2
Continuous errors
/10
0-2 Many
errors in references
or citations and
also in
layout and
appearance.
/10
Total (out of 100)
Scaled (out of 20)
Comments
(if any):
Marked by:
ITECH5500 Reflective Journal- Marking Rubric
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Student Id.
Student Name
Excellent 45
Shows great depth of
knowledge and
learning, reveals
understanding and
thoughts. Abstract
ideas reflected through
use of specific details.
Good
2-3
Relates learning with
research and project,
personal and general
reflections included.
Does not go deeply
into the reflection of
learning.
Generalizations and
limited insight and
uses some detail.
Poor/Unacceptable
0- 1
Little or no explanation or
reflection on learning. No
details to support
reflection or few details
that do not reflect
thoughtful consideration
or important aspects of
own experiences of the
research.
Structural
development of
the Ideas
Demonstrates logical
and subtle sequencing
of ideas and insights by
connecting the
student’s experiences
to the research work.
Transitions are used to
enhance organization.
Ideas and insights
present but not
perfected.
Demonstrates some
understanding of
course material, but
does not clearly
connect the student’s
research experiences.
Lack of or no
development of ideas and
insights. No evidence of
structure or organization.
/5
Mechanics and
Usage
No errors in
punctuation,
capitalization and
spelling as well as
sentence structure and
word usage.
All entries are provided
containing complete
answers to all
questions prompts.
Some errors in
punctuation,
capitalization and
spelling as well as in
sentence structure and
word usage.
Entry provides answers
to most question
prompts for all entries,
missing some.
Numerous and distracting
errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling
as well as in sentence
structure and word usage.
/5
Entry significantly misses
key question prompts or
does not answer important
questions and also
missing some entries.
/5
The conclusion is
engaging and restates
personal learning.
The conclusion does
not adequately restate
the learning.
Missing, incomplete and/or
unfocused.
/5
Category
Reflection of
learning
Content
Conclusion
Marks
/5
Total (out of 25)
Scaled (out of 10)
Comments
(if any):
Marked by:
ITECH 5500 Ethics Application
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Student Id.
Student Name
Excellent 45
Fully comprehensive
Each section
filled out correctly coverage of each
section.
Poor/Unacceptable
0- 1
Some
Large sections omitted.
misconceptions. Some Major misconception
sections left out.
Plain Language
Information
Statement
Statement not clear.
Statement difficult to
Some sections omitted. understand. Major
sections left out.
Participants left
unprepared .
Category
Risk Assessment
Clear description of
what is required from
participants written in
jargon free language
that can be understood
by non-experts.
Careful thought about
risks to all participants
Good
2-3
Most areas covered
but some minor
omissions or errors
Risks not adequately
detailed. Participants
potentially exposed to
problems/risks without
their knowledge
Total (out of 25)
Marks
/10
/10
/5
Scaled (out of 10)
Comments
(if any):
Marked by:
Feedback
Submission will be marked electronically and returned via moodle within 2 weeks.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of the expressed thought or work of another person as though it is one's
own without properly acknowledging that person. You must not allow other students to copy your work
and must take care to safeguard against this happening. More information about the plagiarism policy
and procedure for the university can be found at http://federation.edu.au/students/learningandstudy/online-help-with/plagiarism.
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ITECH 5500 Professional Research
& Communication
Task: Research Presentation- Mini Research Project
Due Date: Week 12 (in timetable lecture and/or tutorial) (As scheduled by course Lecturer)
Worth: 20% (20 marks)
Objectives
The purpose of this assignment is to enable students to evaluate professional communication aspects in
relation to communication styles, skills and effectiveness, and to demonstrate the ability to critically
analyse and communicate the key issues through a written report.
Background
Being able to present your research to an audience is a key skill for researchers to develop. There are a
variety of different settings where you may be asked to do this, from the school or faculty research
seminar to the international conference. Presentations sometimes take the form of posters as well as
talks.
It is important that every presentation take account of whom the audience is. A seminar delivered to an
interdisciplinary audience which may have no specialist knowledge of your field will be very different
to a conference presentation in front of learned specialists – even if you are presenting essentially the
same research at both venues.
For assistance in giving oral presentations, see: http://federation.edu.au/future-students/studyatfeduni/student-support/student-futures-program/study-skills/oral-presentations
Requirements
Each student is required to present an oral presentation or seminar of his/her research project. This
presentation is expected to take approximately 10-12 minutes, with an additional 2 minutes for
questions and comments from the audience. You are required to use presentation software
(PowerPoint or so) for the purpose of this presentation.
This assessment gives the student an opportunity to demonstrate the key aspects of their research work
to an audience and also to receive feedback on their research and the study conducted towards
achieving the outcomes. The student will present a detailed overview of the study. The student should
be prepared to answer questions about any aspect of the study. The following is a sample structure of a
research presentation [Note: This is a guide ONLY structure, you are required to make your own
structure covering all the key aspects of your own research]•
•
•
Introduction:
o Background, context, overview o Purpose of the study
Summary of Research Questions and Purpose:
o Research questions, aims, hypotheses that are clear and specific
o Definition of the paradigm and methodology chosen for the study, including the
rationale for the choice; introduction to conceptual or theoretical framework
Summary of Relevant Literature:
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o Current, balanced, relevant, significant
•
•
o Extensive
Summary of Methods, Methodology and Data Collection:
o Variables used and relations between variables o Data collection and measurement
tools
Summary of any other considerations/aspects of the research, e.g., [OHS/Safety and/or Ethics]
Submission
Submit an electronic copy of all files (PowerPoint etc.) via Moodle submission link. Please refer to the
Course Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and
plagiarism.
ITECH5500 Research Presentation- Marking Rubric
Student Id.
Student Name
Category
Excellent
Good
Acceptable
Poor/Unacceptable
Organization
9-10 Student
presents information
in a logical,
interesting sequence
which audience can
easily follow.
6-8 Student
presents
information in
logical sequence
which audience can
follow.
3-5
Audience has
difficulty following
presentation
because student
jumps around.
0-2 Audience
cannot understand
presentation because
there is no sequence
of information.
/10
Subject
Knowledge
12-15
Student
demonstrates full
knowledge (more
than required) and
also answers all
class questions with
explanations and
elaboration.
4-5
Presentation has no
misspellings or
grammatical errors.
8-11 Student
demonstrates
substantial
knowledge and is at
ease with expected
answers to all
questions, but fails
to elaborate.
4-7 Student
is uncomfortable
with the
knowledge/
information and is
able to answer
only rudimentary
questions.
0-3
Student does not have
grasp of the
knowledge/information;
student cannot answer
questions about the
subject.
/15
3
2
Presentation has few Presentation has
misspellings and/or
some misspellings
grammatical errors.
and/or grammatical
errors.
0-1
Student's presentation
has many spelling
and/or grammatical
errors.
/5
4-5 Student
maintains eye
contact with
audience, seldom
returning to notes.
3 Student
maintains eye
contact most of the
time but frequently
returns to notes.
0-1 Student
reads all of report
with no eye contact.
/5
Mechanics
Eye Contact
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research
presentation
assignment.docx
ITECH5500
Research
Presentation
Assignment 2014_27
2 Student
occasionally uses
eye contact, but
still reads most of
report.
Marks
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Elocution
4-5 Student
uses a clear voice
and correct, precise
pronunciation of
terms so that all
audience members
can hear
presentation.
3 Student's
voice is clear.
Student pronounces
most words
correctly. Most
audience members
can hear
presentation.
2
Student's voice is
low. Student
incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Audience
members have
difficulty hearing
presentation.
0-1 Student
mumbles, incorrectly
pronounces terms,
and speaks too quietly
for students in the
back of class to hear.
/5
Total (out of 40)
Scaled (out of 20)
Comments:
Marked by:
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