Course Title: Research Methods
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Research Methods
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
BIOL1070 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face or Internet |
Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015 |
BIOL1070 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022 |
BIOL1070 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Internet |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020 |
BIOL2149 |
Bundoora Campus |
Research |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face or Internet |
Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014 |
BIOL2411 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022 |
Course Coordinator: Prof. Aidyn Mouradov
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7144
Course Coordinator Email: aidyn.mouradov@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora West campus, 223-1-73
Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Background knowledge of subject matter of specialisation and of scientific methodology, and completion of a degree in the sciences or related discipline, eg engineering.
Course Description
This course develops the knowledge and skills required by Honours and Masters students to successfully design and implement a scientific research project. You will access online information in order to achieve a systematic approach to literature searching and an awareness of information sources, which in turn will be applied in designing a research project. You will develop skills in quantitative data treatment in order to practice the interpretation of scientific data. Finally, the course will provide important information relating to lab and field work safety, research ethics, intellectual property and patenting.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the following School of Science Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
- PLO-1.1 You will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to apply the scientific method in practice
- PLO-2.3 You will demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methodology appropriate to your discipline
- PLO-3.2 You will be able to gather, critically review and synthesise information relevant to a scientific inquiry or research project
- PLO-5.3 You will work responsibly, safely and ethically.
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Use advanced information retrieval techniques to search the literature, using the RMIT library facilities
- Produce an outline of a research project, including hypothesis formation and method development
- Analyse results and present data appropriately
- Practice the procedures necessary for laboratory safety
Overview of Learning Activities
This course will provide students with a working knowledge of methods of accessing, interpreting and communicating scientific information. Experience in accessing online information will provide a systematic approach to literature searching and an awareness of information sources. Data treatment sessions will assist students in the interpretation of scientific data. Project planning techniques will be presented to provide the basis for systematic project planning. Training session on IP will examine areas of Intellectual Property, including copyright, patents, designs, trademarks and confidential information. It will explain the structure of the Australian intellectual property system and its economic and social rationales and help students to learn how to apply the IP protection laws in Australia.
Overview of Learning Resources
You will be expected to access relevant texts, library materials and freely accessible internet sites. Other material will be provided in the lecture material. You will be able to access course information and learning material through the myRMIT Canvas.
Overview of Assessment
☒This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment tasks
Risk Assessment
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLO 4
Literature Exercise
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLO 1
Statistical Treatment Exercise
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLO 3
Project Overview
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLO 2