GEN PRAC 7016B - Thesis P/T Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course aims to develop in students the capacity to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to carry out research, and to effectively communicate the need for, process of, an results of the research. Each student will develop a research proposal and a literatire review, present a seminar regarding their research, and prepare an individual research disseration that exhibits original investigation, analysis and interpretation. The thesis will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewd journal, with additional supporting material.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEN PRAC 7016B
    Course Thesis P/T Part 2
    Coordinating Unit General Practice
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 12
    Contact Up to 1 hour per fortnight supervision across two semesters, plus skills development seminars or online learning of up to five hours as required
    Prerequisites PUB HLTH 7078 or equivalent
    Assumed Knowledge Grad Dip Couns Psyc
    Course Description This course aims to develop in students the capacity to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to carry out research, and to effectively communicate the need for, process of, an results of the research. Each student will develop a research proposal and a literatire review, present a seminar regarding their research, and prepare an individual research disseration that exhibits original investigation, analysis and interpretation. The thesis will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewd journal, with additional supporting material.
    Course Staff
    Course Coordinator: Jaklin Eliott
    Phone: +61 8313 3855
    Email: jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 11, 178 North Terrace

    Learning and Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 2128
    Email: postgrad.enq@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Conduct independent research including critical review of an evidence base, and formulation of a research question
    2 Use qualitative and/or quantitative research methods to formulate a research design as appropriate for the context of the research
    3 Identify relevant ethical aspects of a research project and ethically justifiable approaches to these
    4 Describe and enact collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders in a research project (including but not limited to the supervisor)
    5 Prepare and present an analysis of collected data using appropriate terminology and referencing
    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. 1-5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-3, 5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-3, 5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-3, 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. N/A
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Access to bibliographic databases, peer-reviewed journals, and relevant soft-ware for the analysis.
    Online Learning
    3.3.1 MyUni
    All students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework program have access to a Postgraduate Coursework Student Centre on MyUni. This course is available on MyUni at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.
    Please check the website regularly as it may contain announcements that are relevant to your study in
    the course. If you would like the opportunity to network with other students, you can use the
    Communication features in the site:

    Discussion Board – Users can post discussion items and reply to other posts. Note: If you would like to have a specific Discussion Board Forum created, please send your request to jaklin.elliott@adelaide.edu.au

    Send Email – This feature enables users to send email to fellow students.
    Group Pages – Groups enable Users to collaborate with each other. Groups usually consist of a smaller group of Users in a course or organisation, such as study groups or project groups. From a Group Page, users may send email, exchange files, enter discussion forums or enter collaboration sessions.

    Note: Only members of a particular Group can access the Group communication features (discussion
    forums, email, etc.). If you would like to have a specific Group Page created, please send your request to
    jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au. For example, Group Pages can be created to include students living in
    the same geographical area or students working for the same organisation.

    Please note that you also have access to individual MyUni sites for EACH course you are enrolled in.
    Please check the sites regularly as they may contain important announcements that are relevant to your
    study in the course.

    3.3.2 Access Adelaide
    Access Adelaide is the name of the online service that allows you to access and, in some cases, amend your records. It can be found at: https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp.
    You can log into Access Adelaide to view:
    your enrolment details for any term
    your academic results
    your unofficial academic transcript
    your personal details
    the fees, charges and payments on your University account
    your exam schedule
    your graduation eligibility details.

    As a student you can:
    change your address and telephone details (please inform the Discipline as well) change your password
    set a password clue to help you remember your password.

    3.3.3 Student email
    It is important that you set up your student email and check it regularly. Information from your course
    coordinator and student administration will be sent to you at your University of Adelaide email address.
    It is your responsibility to check your email. You will need your student number located on your student
    card to log in. http://webmail.adelaide.edu.au/

    3.3.4 Computers
    Where can I use a computer in the University?
    Computing facilities are provided to students by the University, and there are several suites of computers available, including at the Barr Smith Library and in Hub Central. The University web site has a list of computer labs at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/student_support/labs/

    3.3.5 Internet access
    The University provides a free dial-up service to students without the need for a commercial ISP account. This service is available at the cost of a local call to students residing within Adelaide (please refer to your telecommunications provider for confirmation of call costs). Students residing outside these numbers can dial into the University at STD call rates (www.adelaide.edu.au/its/desktop/dialup/ ).
    Postgraduate Coursework students will receive a University Funded Quota of 500Mb.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course entails independent research undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom the student meets fortnightly.
    Where a student has not previously acquired specific skills that support efficient research (e.g., search strategies, organising data), they will participate in appropriate workshops or on-line learning.
    Workload

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

    Contact hours: Up to one hour per fortnight of supervision, plus skills development seminar or on-line learning of up to 5 hours. This course represents a half-time learning load (6 units) for students during their final year of their Masters degree (research pathway).
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The student will, under the guidance of their supervisor, develop an individual work plan and a schedule of meetings for supervision. The supervisor will also offer guidance regarding additional training or skills-development to be undertaken.
  • 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
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    Research proposal Summative 10% 1-4
    Seminar presentation Formative 0% 1, 2, 5
    Literature review Summative 30% 1-3
    Research dissertation Summative 60% 1-5
    Assessment Detail
    Research proposal

    A dissertation proposal is to be lodged by four weeks prior to the start of the first semester (GEN PRAC 7016 A). It will be about 750-1000 words describing the research question, the chief scholarly elements in the field of study, and nominating a principal supervisor.

    Seminar Presentation

    In the second half of the first semester of enrolment (GEN PRAC 7016 A), students will present a seminar (up to 15 minutes plus questions) regarding their research, demonstrating awareness of the relevant literature and ability to justify the proposed research.

    Literature Review

    Feedback from the seminar may be useful in preparation of the Literature Review (approximately 4,000 words) for the Research Dissertation.

    Research Dissertation

    By the end of enrolment in GEN PRAC 7016B students are required to submit a research thesis in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal plus a candidate statement which includes a contribution statement, the instructions to authors for the targeted journal (including stipulated word limits), a short statement locating the study in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, and description of preceding work if this is part of a larger study. Subject to the targeted journal, the word count for the dissertation itself should be between 2,500 and 7,000 words. Guidance regarding the preparation of a manuscript for submission to a journal will be provided during the regularly scheduled supervision sessions, and standards for assessment will be provided.

    The dissertation will be examined by two examiners, who will normally be members of academic staff of the University, or affiliated academic titleholders, and who are most likely to be familiar with the student’s research topic and/or methodology. The grading matrix will be provided via MyUni.
    Submission
    At the end of GEN PRAC 7016B, the student is required to submit the following to the Administrative Officer (note that templates for items 3 & 4 will be made available via MyUni and/or in the Dissertation Handbook):
    Two hardcopies of the research thesis
    One digital copy (via email)
    The certification by your supervisor
    The candidate statement
    Any required additional material, including the journal’s Instructions for Authors
    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

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.