Course Title: Conduct research
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2016
Course Code: COMM5916C
Course Title: Conduct research
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact: Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-4815
Course Contact Email: mctafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Lorna Hendry
lorna.hendry@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
Conducting research and analysing your findings is an important part of writing a wide range of business documents and projects. This unit is designed to cover the skills and knowledge required for you to conduct comprehensive research in response to a brief.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFRES401A Conduct research |
Element: |
1. Clarify research brief |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Confirm topic or content to be researched with relevant personnel, including deadlines for completion 2. Identify research and data gathering techniques that best meet the requirements of the brief 3. Discuss research ideas fully and constructively with relevant personnel and identify any implications for research briefs 4. Reach agreement with relevant personnel on the format for presenting research findings 5. Identify issues of a culturally sensitive or legal nature that affect research briefs 6. Alert relevant personnel to potential difficulties in meeting briefs and agree on alternative strategies or outcomes 7. Where specialist research expertise is required, identify potential subcontractors and organise subcontract arrangements in consultation with relevant personnel |
Element: |
2. Conduct research |
Performance Criteria: |
8. Identify sources of information and potential contributors relevant to research briefs 9. Design research tools as required 10. Contact a sufficiently wide range of valid sources to optimise information gathering in line with research briefs and agreed methodology 11. Approach relevant sources promptly and in a way most likely to elicit the required information 12. Adjust research strategies as required, without compromising required outcomes 13. Maintain accurate and comprehensive details of information sources 14. Adjust contact information when requirements of research briefs change and keep records up to date 15. Record all data gathered in a system that allows easy access and retrieval of information in the analysis phase |
Element: |
3. Analyse research findings |
Performance Criteria: |
16. Analyse and interpret data or information gathered 17. Check all facts before including them in research findings 18. Make judgements about how much information to include in research findings and be clear on the rationale for doing so 19. Develop conclusions and recommendations as required in consultation with relevant personnel |
Element: |
4. Present research findings |
Performance Criteria: |
20. Organise information logically and clearly in the agreed format 21. Present information to relevant personnel by agreed deadlines 22. Identify key issues for further research or discussion with relevant personnel 23. Seek feedback on the quality of research outcomes and note areas for improvement |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to use a range of research and data gathering techniques to gather the information needed to write a range of business documents and projects.
Details of Learning Activities
This course is co-delivered with BSBPMG510A Major Projects
In this course, you will learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/ projects
- guest speakers
- group discussion
- class exercises
- workshopping
2. Out-of-class activities:
- online and other research
- independent and group project based work
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Class Content |
Assessments |
CUFRES401A |
BSBPMG510A |
1 |
Course outline/assessment What is a project? Outline of project management skills Analysis of project manager job descriptions Project documentation Brainstorm ideas for projects
Computer lab: Research project ideas Create a template for your personal reflection |
|
1.1-1.4 |
1.1-1.3. |
2 |
Note-taking skills Case study: Blueprint festival Stages of a project Why projects fail Update on project ideas
Computer lab: Research project ideas |
2.1-2.3 2.5 |
1.3-1.6
|
|
3 |
Working in teams – group theory Teamwork – decision making, setting goals, assigning roles, team rules Meeting procedures Setting personal goals
Computer lab: Online personality typing Research project ideas and work on pitch Personal reflection |
2.3-2.8 3.1-3.4 4.1
|
2.5 3.1 3.2
|
|
4 |
Present pitches Form teams
Computer lab: Team meeting – assign roles and document meeting Create templates for agendas/minutes/timesheets Begin project proposal Personal reflection |
Project pitch |
4.2-4.4 |
2.1 3.3 |
5 |
Managing conflict Identifying and managing resources
Computer lab: Team meeting Feedback on project proposal Project work – deliverable 1 Personal reflection |
|
1.7 |
3.4 |
6 |
Customer/stakeholder needs Project management tools - Developing timelines/schedules - Using project management charts: flow, pert, gantt
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
|
|
2.2 |
7 |
Budgeting – internal and external Tracking and recording resources
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Prepare progress report Personal reflection |
|
|
2.4 4.1 |
8 |
Present progress reports Class discussion on any issues, concerns or questions
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
1.6 |
||
9 |
Feedback on progress reports Marketing and publicity
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
|
2.6 |
|
10 |
Risk management and contingency plans OH&S Legal requirements
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
Project plan: Deliverable 1 |
1.5 |
2.3 3.5-3.7 |
11 |
Feedback on project plan Change management
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
|
4.2 5.1 |
|
|
Mid-semester break: 19–30 September |
|
|
|
12 |
Presentation skills Guest speaker: TBC
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
|
|
4.2 |
13 |
Group work to complete Deliverable 2 Computer lab: Team meeting Project work Personal reflection |
|
|
3.7 4.3 |
14 |
Rehearse team presentation
Computer lab: Team meeting Project work |
Project plan: Deliverable 2 |
|
3.5 3.7 4.3 5.3 |
15 |
Team presentations |
Team presentation |
|
5.7 |
16 |
Semester review |
|
|
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
You are advised to check the Blackboard site for additional information and resources. |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:
- participation in written exercises, in class and online
- oral presentations
- the application of learned skills and insights to researching in response to a brief.
Assessment Tasks
This course is assessed with BSBPMG510A Manage Projects.
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 2 Deliverable 2 and Assessment Task 3 (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria and grading rubric).
Assessment Task 1. Individual presentation: Project pitch. Due Week 4 (28 July)
You will research a potential project and make a short pitch to the class for it to be taken on as one of the class’s activities for the semester.
Assessment Task 2. Project plan. Submitted in two (2) parts
- Deliverable 1. Due Week 10 (8 September)
- Deliverable 2. Due Week 14 (20 October) (graded)
As a team, you will create, maintain and update a comprehensive, well-organised and professionally presented project plan that documents all aspects of your project. Individually you will write a personal reflection on the project. Deliverables will be submitted in 2 parts.
Assessment Task 3. Group presentation. Due Week 15 (27 October) (graded)
As a team, you will present a review of your project to the class. Every member will participate actively in the presentation and some audio and/or visual content is required.
Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact in Program Administration.
Other Information
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students
Submission of work
You must submit your work electronically to your teacher. Your assessment briefs will specify whether this be by email, Google docs or Blackboard.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This should be submitted electronically with your assessment items. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Assessment Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1
Academic Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress
Adjustments to Assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course. http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview