Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Generate an ethics protocol for research involving human participants as sources of data, following Eastern College Australia’s policy.

• Articulate a clearly set out research proposal that can be completed within the time allowable, including the reasoning underpinning the research proposal and the methodology or methodologies appropriate for the field of research

• Formulate a research topic and articulate the research question or hypothesis in focus

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the nature of research and related debates regarding its purpose, value, ethics, paradigms and epistemology

• Develop a research plan that demonstrates capacity to manage the research project

Unit Description

In this practical unit students will be exposed to a wide range of research approaches, methods and activities. This course will be taught as a one-week intensive with pre-readings and online discussions with peers throughout the semester. Culminating in an ethics application and research plan with clear research questions justifying the approach based on philosophical, theological, methodological and ethical considerations.

Teaching in the unit is typically delivered in a 5-day intensive of 27 hours. Assessments are due across the semester.

Topics

The philosophy of research

The epistemological paradigms in research

Integrity in research: awareness of ethical issues and honesty with evidence

Qualitative and quantitative research: the importance of methodology

Administration of research

Project management

Analysis and interpretation of data

Formulating a proposal: defining the topic; setting realistic, achievable goals; benefits

Safeguards in ‘human subject research’: the evidence necessary for project approval by an ethics committee; ethics protocols for research involving human subjects

Assessment and Indicative Load

Assessment types include Student Proposal, Ethics Proposal, and Journal. Indicative study load is 160 hours.

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Unit offerings

Face to face: (Demand based)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.