CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 1 of 5
ITECH 5500 Professional Research & Communication
Research Proposal
Overview
The purpose of this assessment is to enable students to develop an effective research plan considering
context, research questions, sources, methodologies, timeline, and larger implications for conducting a
formal research project.
Overall goals of this assignment are 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.
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
eferences page (bibliography).
Compose a well-organized, clear and concise research plan to expand your knowledge on a
esearch question in your chosen area.
You may work on this task individually or in groups of two or three students (maximum).
You are responsible for identifying your own research topic that you have developed through the
exercises in Part B of your tutorial-workshops. In case of a team of two or three students, the team
should discuss on the individually chosen topics during the tutorial-workshops and decide upon any
one of those or a modified version of any.
Your topic must be from an active area of IT research and practice, applied to an aspect of society
or an industry or an organisation with an aim of reviewing how the selected technology might be
applied to that aspect of society or industry or organisation- both cu
ently and in the future. You need
to discuss with your tutor to finalise the research topic of your research proposal.
Timelines and Expectations
Percentage Value of Task: 40 % (Proposal: 30% + Ethics Application: 10%)
Due: 17:00 Friday 01 Fe
uary, 2019 (week 11)
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.
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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.
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
esearch project.
A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences.
Assessment Details
Background
The research proposal provides a detailed description of a proposed research idea as the beginning
process to plan and design a research project. It needs to be in a formal style with introduction, body
and conclusion. In addition it requires a critical analysis and a coherent presentation. It also requires to
include a completed Ethics application along with PLIS as required by HREC.
A. Proposal (30%)
You are required to submit a research proposal XXXXXXXXXXwords excluding the title, abstract, table of
contents and references
ibliography). The purpose of this task is to assist students to prepare and
write a research proposal at an appropriate standard for this level of study. You should-
Lay out the problem of the research (questions, hypothesis, variables etc.)
Identify and summarise cu
ent literature in relation to the topic.
Describe exactly how the research will be conducted (include tools, techniques, methods,
methodologies, data collection and analysis etc.)
Outline the details of the resources that will be used to achieve the desired result
Outline initial findings and planning
You have already done quite a bit of work for this research in tutorials, you should have a tentative
esearch issue, strategies and evidence to persuade your readers about the significance of the problem
you are aiming at researching, as well as the validity of your research issues.
The research proposal should typically include (but not limited to):
A cover page;
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A TOC (Table of Contents);
An introduction to the proposal, in your own words, that introduces what your proposal is
all about;
Research Question and Purpose;
Methodology;
Planning and organisation;
Conclusion that summarises key aspects including why this research matters;
Referencing using APA style.
[For more details see the Marking Guide at the end of this document]
Note: Students are required to follow the ‘General guide to referencing’ and ‘Guide to
Writing and Study Skills’-
[https:
federation.edu.au/cu
ent-students/learning-and-study/online-help-with
eferencing]
https:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/313328/FedUni-General-Guide-to-
Referencing-2016ed.pdf
[https:
federation.edu.au/cu
ent-students/learning-and-study/online-help-with/guides-to-your-
assessments]
https:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/General-Guide-to-Writing-and-
Study-Skills.pdf
B. Ethics Application (10%)
You are required to submit a fully completed Ethics Application (use Standard Application form) and
Plain Language Information Statement (PLIS), both forms to be downloaded from the HREC Forms
page at the link below-
https:
federation.edu.au
esearch/support-for-cu
ent-students-and-staff/ethics/human-ethics/human-
ethics3
The purpose of this task is to assist students to complete Ethics application as required by HREC that
all research projects and parts of research projects that involve gathering information from or about
humans and/or organisations need Human Research Ethics (HRE) approval.
Note: Refer to the Week 9 lecture files on Research Ethics for details of how to complete
each section of the Ethics Application and the PLIS.
Submission
Submit an electronic copy of the Research Proposal via the turnitin submission link and a
zipped file containing the Ethics Application and PLIS via the Moodle 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
https:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-Skills.pdf
https:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-Skills.pdf
https:
federation.edu.au
esearch/support-for-cu
ent-students-and-staff/ethics/human-ethics/human-ethics3
https:
federation.edu.au
esearch/support-for-cu
ent-students-and-staff/ethics/human-ethics/human-ethics3
http:
federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 4 of 5
ITECH5500 Research Proposal- Marking Guide
Student Id. Student Name
Assessment Mark Mark
Awarded
Abstract:
• Significant concepts
• Key aspects of the paper
5
Introduction:
• Background, context, overview
• Purpose, scope and method of the study
• Summary of proposal
10
Research Question and Purpose:
• Statement of problem- gap in knowledge identified
• Research questions, aims, hypotheses are clear and specific
• Definition of the paradigm and methodology chosen for the study, including the
ationale for the choice; introduction to conceptual or theoretical framework
10
Literature Review:
• Cu
ent, balanced, relevant, significant
• Multidisciplinary and extensive
• Literature clearly summarised and clear connection to the proposed research
10
Methodology:
• Clearly identified research design that is justified and appropriate
• Strengths and weaknesses acknowledged
• Intended population; sampling; selection criteria; research instrument; data
collection; data analysis tool/process [as applicable]
• Reasons for choosing tools/samples/choice of sample [as applicable]
• Data collection- variables, tools and measurement methods [as applicable]
• Identification of threats to reliability and validity
30
Planning, analysis and organisation:
• Proposal of how the study will help fill the gap in knowledge- what new knowledge it
might provide.
• Clear planning and timelines
• Proposed statistical and/or data analysis methods [as applicable]
• Logical progression of ideas at the paragraph and whole-paper levels.
• Brief conclusion- key aspects including why this research matters
10
Other considerations:
• Ethical considerations and procedures such as recruitment of participants etc.;
privacy; benefit/harm; coercion; consent; use of data [as applicable]
• OHS considerations and procedures to be addressed within the research project
5
Presentation:
• Style and structure- concise and cohesive
• Spelling and grammar- evidence of proof-reading
10
References:
• Range of references (internet, articles, quotations, books and journals etc.)
• Co
ect use of citation and referencing
• University guide followed e.g. APA referencing
10
Total /100
Scaled out of 30
Marked by:
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ITECH 5500 Ethics Application
Student Id. Student Name
Category Excellent Good Poo
Unacceptable Marks
Each section
filled out
co
ectly
11-15
Fully comprehensive
coverage of each
section.
5-10
Some
misconceptions.
Some sections left
out.
0-4
Large sections omitted.
Major misconception
15
Plain Language
Information
Statement
7-10
Clear description of
what is required from
participants written in
jargon free language
that can be understood
y non-experts.
3-6
Statement not clear.
Some sections
omitted.
0-2
Statement difficult to
understand. Major
sections left out.
Participants left
unprepared.
10
Risk Assessment 4-5
Careful thought about
isks to all participants
2-3
Most areas covered
ut some minor
omissions or e
ors
0-1
Risks not adequately
detailed. Participants
potentially exposed to
problems
isks without
their knowledge
5
Total (out of 30)
Scaled (out of 10)
Comments
(if any):
Marked by: