Course specification for BUS8201

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BUS8201 Master of Business Research Project A

Semester 1, 2020 Online
Short Description: Master of Bus Res Proj A
Units : 2
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts
School or Department : Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts
Student contribution band : Band 3
ASCED code : 080399 - Business Mgt not classified
Grading basis : Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Staffing

Examiner:

Requisites

Co-requisite: RSH8000 and RSH8001

Other requisites

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at .

Rationale

This course is part of a supervised research project. The project provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and independently produce a research-based dissertation. Students develop appropriate research skills and specialist knowledge which will enhance their career prospects and allow them to undertake further studies.

Synopsis

This is a two-unit course that contributes towards the Master of Business Research Thesis.

The Dissertation comprises the research and writing of a dissertation (maximum of 40,000 words). Students examine a professional area of interest, usually related to their work environment and are assisted by one or more supervisors with appropriate background. Each candidate for the research project is required to submit a research proposal to the Head of School. This will go to the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee for approval and endorsement by the Executive Dean and the Office of Research and Research Training prior to the commencement of research. Most topics are drawn from the candidate's work experience and interest; however it is recognised that the work of some candidates is not necessarily suited for that purpose and the Head of School and Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee then considers topics drawn from elsewhere if necessary. The dissertation will be a significant piece of independently conducted and written research. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a research topic, develop a proposal, carry out supervised research on the chosen topic using an appropriate research method, and present and defend the results using an appropriate research method, and present and defend the results.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. plan and execute an independent research project;
  2. demonstrate expert understanding of theoretical knowledge and reflect critically on that theory in relation to practice as relevant to the research project;
  3. communicate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution to a discipline or area of professional practice.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Topics and their weighting will be determined for each student at the beginning of the semester of offer. Topics will reflect each student's proposed Thesis. 100.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=BUS8201)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

There are no texts or materials required for this course.

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
2002, Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, Wiley, Australia.
Lester, JD Sr & Lester, JD Jr 2014, Writing research papers: a complete guide, 13th edn, Longman, New York.
Zikmund, WG, Babin, BJ, Carr, JC & Griffin, M 2013, Business research methods, 9th edn, South/Western, Mason, Ohio.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Directed ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 200.00
Independent ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 130.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
THESIS 1 100 15 May 2020 (see note 1)

Notes
  1. Students who are not due to hand in their Thesis must submit a Progress Report. The Office of Research Graduate Studies will notify students by e-mail when a Progress Report is due.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    There is no attendance requirement for this course. However, it is the student’s responsibility to attend regular meetings with the supervisory team to discuss their research progress.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Progress Reports: to complete the Progress Report satisfactorily, students must fill out the Progress Report in consultation with their supervisor and submit it to the relevant faculty research office. As part of their research program, students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory progress.

    OR

    Thesis: To successfully complete a thesis, students must have satisfactorily addressed the requested revisions to receive a passing grade.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Progress Report: HDR students must submit a progress report and deemed to be making Satisfactory Progress by the supervisor and ADR to receive a SP grade.

    OR

    Thesis: At the end of the candidature students are required to submit a thesis for examination. Students must then satisfactorily address the examiners feedback to receive a passing grade and for the degree to be awarded.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    Not applicable.

  6. Examination information:
    Not applicable.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Not applicable.

  8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Referencing in assignments: Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide at .

Date printed 19 June 2020