Guide to Project for Supervisors
Page 1 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
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
equires 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 proposal to expand your knowledge on a
esearch question in your chosen area.
You can work on this report individually or in a group of two (maximum).
Timelines and Expectations
Percentage Value of Task: 30 %
Due: 17.00 Friday 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.
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 research project.
Page 2 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences.
Assessment Details
Background
The 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 group is required to submit a mini research report 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
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
esearching, 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
elow-
• Title – selection of an informative title
• Abstract - summarization of the significant concepts in the proposed study focusing on
key aspects (300 words max)
• Introduction – outline of the thesis, problem, research 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
eading of existing scholarship.
Page 3 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
• 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
• 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 refe
ed 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-Referencing-
2014.pdf
http:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-
Skills.pdf
[For distribution of marks, see the Marking Ru
ic at the end of this document]
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
eferencing etc.) to eliminate matching and avoid
PLAGIARISM. You may re-submit the assignment until the due date/time.
http:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing-2014.pdf
http:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing-2014.pdf
http:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-Skills.pdf
http:
federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-Skills.pdf
http:
federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation
Page 4 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
Marking Criteria/Ru
ic
ITECH5500 Research Report- Marking Ru
ic
Student Id. Student Name
Category Excellent Good Acceptable Poo
Unacceptable Marks
Abstract 8-10
Very coherent
and succinct
statement of the
problem,
motivation and
proposed
methodology
6-7
Coherent and
succinct
statement of
the problem,
motivation
and proposed
methodology
3-5
Statement of
the problem,
motivation and
proposed
methodology
0-2
No abstract or
poorly structured
abstract
10
Introduction 8-10
Strong
introduction of
topic’s key
question(s) and
terms. Clearly
delineates
subtopics to be
eviewed. Specific
thesis statement.
6-7
Conveys topic
and key
question(s).
Clearly
delineates
subtopics to be
eviewed.
General thesis
statement.
3-5
Conveys topic, but
not key
question(s).
Describes
subtopics to be
eviewed. General
thesis statement.
0-2
Does not
adequately convey
topic. Does not
describe subtopics
to be reviewed.
Lacks adequate
thesis statement.
20
Literature
Review
14-20
Sources are
exceptionally well-
integrated 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
esearch 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
esearch
addressed.
8-13
Procedures and
processes are
included, and
esearch design
is somewhat
clear.
4-7
Some procedures
and processes
included, and
esearch 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
esearch
8-10
Exceptionally well-
presented and
argued. Ideas are
detailed, well-
developed,
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
asic analysis.
3-5
Content is sound.
Ideas are present
ut 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
Page 5 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
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
References 9-10
An appropriate
number of
authoritative
eferences in
APA style
6-8
Authoritative
eferences in
APA style with
some
deficiencies
3-5
Few
authoritative
eferences in
APA style with
many
deficiencies
0-2
Too few
authoritative
eferences in poor
adherence to APA
10
Page 6 of 8 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx
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 e
ors in
grammar,
spelling, syntax
and punctuation,
ut not many.
3-5
Shows a pattern
of e
ors in
spelling, grammar,
syntax and/or
punctuation- a
sign of lack of
proof-reading.
0-2
Continuous e
ors