Pre-requisites

Students must have completed 48 points prior to this unit, but it is normally undertaken as the final unit.

Co-requisites

Recommended GPA 2.5 (High credit) or in exceptional circumstances at discretion of course co-ordinator

Learning Outcomes

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

• Design and apply a research methodology with aims appropriate to the chosen discipline, topic, context and with attention to outcomes for the poor and/or vulnerable.

• (3) Demonstrate understanding of the ethical issues associated with research by identifying the relevant legislation, and appropriately applying this to the specific research project undertaken, resulting in an approved ethics application.

• Develop an understanding of research as an expression of the theory and practice of integral mission, particularly as related to a student’s vocation and/or advanced specialisation in Christian faith-based community and/or development work.

• Undertake ethical research, by collecting and analysing original data, reporting on this process correctly, and managing the data according to an approved ethics plan.

• Produce a cogent, well-referenced research paper which effectively identifies and addresses a research question, placing it within the literature, and providing critical insights towards possible and appropriate real-world solutions relevant to the church, development, and/or community sectors.

Unit Description

This unit allows a student to independently research a topic and build knowledge in integral theology relevant to their area of advanced specialisation and their vocation of international/community development. The topic is selected based on discussion with and in planning between the student and the Academic staff member appointed as their research project supervisor. This unit provides opportunity for a candidate to focus upon a well-defined area of development studies and/or practice viewed through an integral theology lens. The content includes the development of a proposal, literature review, an ethical protocol approved by the appropriate Australian/international independent ethics committee. The student will explore the fundamentals of research design including methods, ethics, collection of data, and analysis and report writing. It results in a research paper/thesis. This unit may assist those on a pathway to further studies.

Topics

• Introduction to Research (paradigms/approaches) • History of research in development studies/practice • Critical literature reviews • Research Methodologies • Research Design (selecting a topic, writing a research question, selecting appropriate methodologies for data collection and analysis) • Ethical principles and practices in research • Data Collection and Analysis • Writing up a research paper

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Unit offerings

Face to face: Semester 1, 2025; Semester 2, 2025; Semester 1, 2026; Semester 2, 2026; Semester 1, 2027; Semester 2, 2027; Semester 1, 2028; Semester 2, 2028; Semester 1, 2029; Semester 2, 2029; Semester 1, 2030, and Semester 2, 2030 (Every Year, Semester 1 and 2)

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.