PROJMGNT 7058EX - Project Management Research Project

External - Quadmester 4 - 2017

The objective is to produce a capstone study which is a critical evaluation and reflation on the Masters studies. The content covered includes some basic tuition on the structure of research methodology, and information about the knowledge and skills required to develop a research project based on extending current knowledge, testing it (qualitative or quantitative), drawing conclusions and commenting on these conclusions.. The study should be an orderly and fully documented investigation of some problem or point of interest arising from the examination of a number of courses or relate these to career choices and competencies required.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROJMGNT 7058EX
    Course Project Management Research Project
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s External
    Units 6
    Contact Approximately 4 hours per week over 15 weeks
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Assumed Knowledge Completion of all core courses for this Masters Program
    Course Description The objective is to produce a capstone study which is a critical evaluation and reflation on the Masters studies. The content covered includes some basic tuition on the structure of research methodology, and information about the knowledge and skills required to develop a research project based on extending current knowledge, testing it (qualitative or quantitative), drawing conclusions and commenting on these conclusions.. The study should be an orderly and fully documented investigation of some problem or point of interest arising from the examination of a number of courses or relate these to career choices and competencies required.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Indra Gunawan

    Dr Larissa Statsenko's expertise and interests are in Applied and Complex Project Management, Supply Chain Management, and Industry Clusters. She completed her PhD degree from Kazakh National Technical University in 2008, and has 12 years of academic, research and consultancy experience. She has managed and participated in mining industry related research and consultancy projects in Kazakhstan, including companies such as ENRC and United Minerals. She is currently managing a State Government funded project in collaboration with SA mining industry aimed at identifying opportunities for and barriers to the formation of collaborative clusters in the South Australian resource and energy supply chains.


    Email: larissa.statsenko@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

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

    9th October 2017 to 15 January 2018

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    The overall objective of this course is to introduce students to research project activities.
    Research topics must be negotiated with the lecturer in charge.

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Research a topic of interest in the project management;
    2 Recognize, select and critically analyse relevant information for your report;
    3 Synthesise the key points/findings and communicate them in a clear, concise and professional report;
    4 Identify the benefits of continuing personal and professional development in the rapidly developing and increasingly complex field of project management research;
    5 Clasify ethical, social and cultural issues and an understanding of the implication of these issues in the pursuit of project management research.
      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)
      Deep discipline knowledge
      • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
      • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
      • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
      1-3
      Critical thinking and problem solving
      • steeped in research methods and rigor
      • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
      • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
      1-3
      Teamwork and communication skills
      • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
      • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
      • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
      1-3
      Career and leadership readiness
      • technology savvy
      • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
      • forward thinking and well informed
      • tested and validated by work based experiences
      4
      Intercultural and ethical competency
      • adept at operating in other cultures
      • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
      • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
      • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
      4
      Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
      • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
      • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
      • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
      5
    1. Learning Resources
      Required Resources
      Saunders, Mark N.K., Lewis P. and Thornhill, A. 2015. Research Methods for Business Students PDF eBook (7e) : 9781292016641

      Recommended Resources
      Useful texts include:
      • Pawar, B.S. 2009. Theory building for hypothesis specification in organizational studies, Response Books, New Delhi.
      • Neuman, W.L. 2008. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches, Pearson Education.
      A list containing supplementary readings will be provided before the course start date via MyUni.

      It is also recommended that you read relevant journal articles. In particular, you are encouraged to read the following journals:
      • International Journal of Project Management
      • Project Management Journal
      • International Journal of Project Organisation and Management

      Library Resources
      The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. Access to the Library's electronic resources.

      Online Learning
      MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study.
    2. Learning & Teaching Activities
      Learning & Teaching Modes
      This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as a brief workshop, consultations with the lecturer and the participation in recommended workshops which can help students to improve their research activities.

      Research workshops are available three times a year through the Researcher, Education and Development (examples: taking a critical approach, critical reading, reviewing literature, writing a proposal, and so on).
      Workload

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

      As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components and self-directed study). Therefore each learning period (6 units) will require approximately 312 hours dedicated to this course.
      Learning Activities Summary
      This is a draft schedule and session content are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.
      Schedule
      Week 1 Introduction: Taking on a Research Project 
      Week 2 Project Plan: Topics and Research Proposal
      Week 3 Self-Directed Writing and Supervisory Assistance
      Week 4 Finalising Research Proposals
      Week 5 Research Report: Introduction and Literature Review Research Proposals due in
      Week 6 Supervisor/Student Meetings (Round 1)
      Week 7 Research Report: Methodology, Results and Discussion
      Week 8 Supervisor/Student Meetings (Round 2)
      Week 9 Research Project Presentations Presentations at lecture
      Week 10 Self-Directed Writing and Supervisory Assistance End of Trimester
      Week 13 Course Completion: Final Research Report Submission Research Reports due in
    3. 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
      An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table.
      Assessment Task Length Due Weighting Learning Outcome
      1. Research Proposal 2000 word proposal

      Week 5

      15% 1-5
      2. Research Project   
         Presentation
      10 - 15 minutes presentation Week 9 15% 1-5
      3. Final Research
          Report
      9000 word final report Week 13 70% 1-5
      Assessment Related Requirements
      Students must complete all course assessment requirements to be eligible to pass the course.

      Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners.

      Students will develop a research project. They can be guided in the selection of the research topic.

      Supervision and progress: The lecturer in charge will supervise your progress on the project. The student will be required to meet with the lecturer in order to report and discuss progress. If the student encounters problems in the development of the project, he or she must discuss this situation immediately with the lecturer.

      It is highly recommended that students carry out a preliminary investigation about the research topic selected to be sure that there is sufficient content in the area.
      Assessment Detail

      Research Proposal
      Weighting: 15%
      Due Date: Week 5

      This assessment will assess your understanding of the course topics presented in the first four weeks.

      Task:
      The aim of the assessment is to assist you in developing your research report. It is required that students prepare a research proposal for the lecturer’s consideration.

      The research proposal should include the following:

      Background, aims and significance: The theoretical or practical basis or proposition for your research project. What is the aim or purpose of your project? Students also should address why this research project is important.
      Objectives: this section includes research questions to be addressed.
      Design: to determine the activities to be undertaken throughout the course of your research project.
      Methodology: what type of methodology the student will employ?
      Milestones and budget: When it will be done, and in what order, and how much it will cost to do it (only in case your research has funds).
      Possible outcomes (when is it applicable) / limitations.

      Length and Presentation:
      Approximately 2,000 words addressing the points explained in the task (above).

      Criteria by which this assessment will be marked:
      1. identifying and summarising the problem/question to be investigated,
      2. identifying existing, relevant knowledge and views connected with the selected topic,
      3. proposing an appropriate methodology for the research report,
      4. presenting some references which shows some understanding on the topic.


      Assessment 2: Research Project Presentation
      Weighting: 15%
      Due Date: During Week 9: in class presentation
       
      This assessment will evaluate student presentations in relation to their research project.

      Task: 
      The Research Project Presentation will involve each student providing a PowerPoint presentation of their work to date. The presentation should be 10 minutes long with an extra 5 minutes for questions. Other students should ask questions which should be answered by the presenter.

      Length and Presentation:
      10 - 15 minutes presentation
       
      The presentation should:
      1. be as professional as possible,
      2. have the right content,
      3. wrap up all the relevant information,
      4. contain a clear action plan.

      Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
      1. identifying critical issues,
      2. show reasoning behind statements or ideas,
      3. use general or technical language in an appropriate manner,
      4. stimulate interest for the audience,
      5. discuss details of research activity,
      6. cope with questions and arguments,
      7. use of time-limit and visual aids.


      Assessment 3: Final Research Report
      Weighting: 70%
      Due Date: Week 13

      This assessment will evaluate overall student understanding via a finished research project report.

      Task:
      Writing your final project report will demand a time and effort. You will save some time if you have been following the guidelines and meeting regularly with the lecturer. This assignment should be prepared to a professional standard. Please ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, and that you use a cover page, indicate word count and ensure that references are correctly cited as per Harvard reference system methodology. Work should be carefully proofread for errors (an over-reliance should not be made on the computer alone in this area).

      A research report normally includes the following sections:

      1. Introductory elements (cover sheet, title page, words count, abstract, acknowledgement, table of contents),
      2. Introduction (background of the research, gaps, research problem and research questions, key definitions; research contributions,
          justification for the research, methodology overview, research limitations, report outline, and summary),
      3. Literature review and contextual foundations,
      4. Research Methodology,
      5. Theoretical results and implications,
      6. Discussion and conclusions,
      7. References,
      8. Appendices.

      Length and Presentation: 
      9000 words.

      Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
      1. ability to present your findings clearly and succinctly,
      2. application of key relevant theories and concepts,
      3. research skills and use of data to support the analysis,
      4. recommendations identified in the analysis,
      5. presentation: word limit, layout, adequate structure, and referencing.

      Submission
      All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
      Please refer to step by step instructions: MyUni Learning Centre

      There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
      • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
      • Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
      • Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
      • Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
      • Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above) Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

      Resubmission & Remarking

      Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
      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.

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    6. Policies & Guidelines
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