TRADE 7006 - Research Project (A)

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2015

Each candidate for the Masters of International Trade and Development (MITD) is required to undertake a research project in Winter School. The research project must exhibit original investigation, analysis and interpretation. The research project is to be written up as a publishable paper of 7000 words. Candidates for the MITD are expected to choose from a list of research topics (below). Alternatively, they may submit an alternative research proposal which will be evaluated by IIT and, if found acceptable, can be the basis for the research project.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TRADE 7006
    Course Research Project (A)
    Coordinating Unit Institute for International Trade
    Term Winter
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to two hours per week and by supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Restrictions Available to MIT&D students only
    Quota A quota of 24 applies
    Assessment Research project
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Shandre Thangavelu

    Name: Associate Professor Shandre Thangavelu
    Role: Course Coordinator
    Location: Level 6 - Nexus 10
    Phone: 8313 6900
    Email: shandre.thangavelu@adelaide.edu.au
    Supervisors: David Morfesi (david.morfesi@adelaide.edu.au)
      Dr Uwe Kaufmann (uwe.kaufmann@adelaide.edu.au)
      Ms Lin Siah (lin.siah@adelaide.edu.au)
     
       
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    CRITICAL DATES FOR PROJECT:

    For the period of this project, students are encouraged to consult with their supervisors at least on 3 occasions. This is in addition to the first/introduction class. Below are the critical dates:
     
    1. Introduction to Research Project A                                Friday, 17 July 2015 | 2 - 5pm

    2. Inform to Lin Siah by email of Topic                              No later than COB Friday, 31 July 2015


    3. Consultations with Supervisors                                     July-Sept : by appointment*

    4. Project Due Date                                                               Friday, 2 October 2015
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The purpose of the research project is to encourage students to undertake independent economic research and to foster research-related skills, which should benefit future study and employment.

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Apply specialist knowledge in the area of their research
    2 Initiate research and formulate viable research questions
    3 Design, conduct and report sustained and original research
    4 Analyse, evaluate and synthesize research-based and scholarly literature
    5 Present research findings and argument in a suitably structured and sequenced paper of publishable quality that conforms to protocols of academic presentation and research practice
    6 Demonstrate the ability to critique literature and conduct analyses at Masters level.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,3,4,6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2-6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2,5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. All
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. All
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There are no required resources for this research project course.
    Recommended Resources
    The University’s Writing Centre  is a valuable academic support service. They provide academic learning and language support and resources for all University coursework students – postgraduate and undergraduate.

    There are a number of useful learning guides on their website that students might find useful for this course:

    Writing a Research Report

    Writing a Literature Review

    Referencing Guides

    Plagiarism – our University’s policy on Academic Honesty, as well as how to avoid plagiarism

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Unlike standard coursework, research is a relatively unstructured activity. Students are expected to set their own pace and self-monitor their progress. 

    There is a mandatory introduction meeting/class as a group at the start of the course. 

    For the period of this project, students are expected to consult with their supervisors on at least on 3 occasions – at the start of the project, mid-point and a final consultation before submission. However, students are encouraged to, contact/consult with their supervisors as often as required.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies.

    This research project has an approximate duration of two and a half months (about 10 weeks) and has a value of three units; therefore students in this course are expected to devote approximately 13-15 hours per week to research and writing.
    Learning Activities Summary

    RESEARCH TOPICS:

    A list of suggested topics will be distributed in the first class on Friday 17 July 2015. All enrolled students are expected to attend.

    Alternatively, they may submit an alternative research proposal which will be evaluated by IIT and, if found acceptable, can be the basis for the research project.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students are expected to choose from the list of research topics above. Each topic includes a number of elements to be addressed. Alternatively, they may submit an alternative research proposal which will be evaluated by IIT and, if found acceptable, can be the basis for the research project.

    The research project is to be written to a publishable standard and of 7000 words in length. See also the submission requirements in the Assessment section below.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    100 percent of the assessment for this course will be based on the quality of the research paper prepared by the student.
    Assessment Detail
    Length of Paper: 7000 words (+/-10%) including tables and references (not more than 2 pages)

    Due Date: Friday, 2 October 2015 @5 pm

    The standard of English expression is expected to be high. Students may wish to consult references listed in the subject catalogue of the Barr Smith Library under the heading "Style, Literary". While supervisors will offer reasonable assistance, the writing of a research project is the student’s task and students must not expect the supervisor to convert careless or poor prose into good English.
    Submission
    Assignments must be submitted two ways:

    1. Softcopy through Turnitin on MyUni
        AND
    2. Hardcopy in the assignment drop-box. This is located on the ground floor of Nexus 10 (10 Pulteney St) 

    All assignments must be presented professionally with clear headings, appropriate referencing and using one and a half spacing. 

    Extensions will only be granted if requests are received in writing to the course coordinator at least 24 hours before the final due date unless they are requested on medical or compassionate grounds and are supported by appropriate documents. 

    Your assignment must include the IIT assignment cover sheet which can be downloaded from MyUni under “Assignments”. Each page must be numbered with your student ID and name. 

    Please contact the course coordinator, preferably by email, at any time to make an appointment for assistance or guidance in relation to course work, assignments or any concerns that may arise. Assignments will normally be returned two weeks after they have been submitted.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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