AGRIBUS 7050B - Research Project in Agribusiness Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The purpose of the Research Project is to enable students to analyse real-world food and / or agricultural business problems, issues or strategic opportunities. The assessment of the Research Project will have oral and written components taking into account the students' workload and participation at workshops organised by Global Food Studies. Students have the opportunity to choose between two types of research projects. The first research project option ("Option A") involves investigating a current food industry or agribusiness issue through primary data collection (e.g. conducting a survey) or through analysis of secondary data. This option may require the use of decision-support systems and/or statistical software. Most students conducting Research Projects will belong to this research category. Be aware that some primary data collection will require ethics approval which can be a lengthy exercise and needs to be lodged as soon as possible. The second option ("Option B") involves conducting a case study or analysis of a proposed business venture or problem. Students apply and utilise the appropriate conceptual and theoretical models and skills to address the relevant issue or opportunity the business is facing. Given the diversity of the project types, subject to the supervisor?s approval students can present the project report in the form of a traditional academic paper or a formal business report. Whilst the structure of the Research Project Report can be different between projects, students are expected to follow the guidelines and discuss with their supervisors if a modification of the Report structure is needed.

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Course Details

Course Code	AGRIBUS 7050B
Course	Research Project in Agribusiness Part 2
Coordinating Unit	Centre for Global Food & Resources
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	12
Contact	By supervision
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	To be advised

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Craig Johns

Course Coordinator

Name:	Mr. Craig Johns
Email:	craig.johns@adelaide.edu.au
Location:	Nexus 10 - Level 5 - Room 5.03
Phone:	8313 6765 (email preferred)
Office Hours:	By appointment

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

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

1	Identify literature relevant to the subject of investigation
2	Source interpret, evaluate and analyse primary and/or secondary data
3	Draw and justify conclusions from this analysis
4	Present research findings and conclusions in an academically appropriate manner

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.	1,2,4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1,2,3
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2,3,4
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1,2,4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1,2,3
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	2,3,4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	2,3,4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

n/a

Recommended Resources

n/a - this will be discussed further in the workshops. See MyUni Research Project Guidelines document.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course will involve regular weekly workshops on a range of topics relevant to the proposal writing, research methods, presentations and final report editing components of the course. Students will also be assigned supervisors to help guide them through their research project.

Workload

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

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

Students are expected to attend all 3 Hour workshops unless you have already attended the topic in a previous Semester or need to attend the topic in the following Semester (for example, if you are submitting your report and doing your final presentation at the end of Semester 2 then you need to attend the editing and presentation workshops in Semester 2 not Semester 1.) In addition to the time spent in class there will be fortnightly meetings with your supervisor which will result in at least 144 contact hours and a minimum 480 non-contact hours to study the full 12 unit course.

Learning Activities Summary

Please note that this schedule attempts to combine dates for a range of students doing the part time and full time version of the course and who have started in either Semester 1 or Semester 2.

All the workshops are compulsory, unless you have already attended them in a previous Semester or need to attend them in the following Semester (for example, if you are submitting your report and doing your final presentation at the end of Semester 2 then you need to attend the editing and presentation workshops in Semester 2 not Semester 1.)

If you have any questions please contact the course coordinator to clarify.

Semester 1
Week	Day	Date	Time	Room	Topic	Instructor(s)	Notes, deadlines
1	Monday	02-Mar-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Introduction	Craig Johns	Course Structure
2 Public Holiday	Monday	09-Mar-15	n/a
3	Monday	16-Mar-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Introduction Workshop	Craig Johns	Isabella Slevin and GFS staff will attend if available
4	Monday	23-Mar-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Polishing research proposal	Isabella Slevin	Students are required to bring a hard copy of their draft proposal
5	Monday	30-Mar-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Literature review	Isabella Slevin
6 Public Holiday	Monday	06-Apr-15	n/a				Proposal due 12 noon Wednesday 8 Apr (12 unit) and 15 Apr (6 unit). Supervisor allocation by Monday 20 April.
Mid sem break	Monday	13-Apr-15	n/a
Mid sem break	Monday	20-Apr-15	n/a
7	Monday	27-Apr-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Research methods	Dale Yi
8	Monday	04-May-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Sampling, questionnaire and interview design	Risti Permani
9	Monday	11-May-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	(SCP concept) and market analysis	Risti Permani
10	Monday	18-May-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Presentation preparation	Craig Johns	Presentation preparation (for those who finish at the end of Sem 1)
11	Monday	25-May-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Editing (1)	Isabella Slevin	Students are required to bring a hard copy of their draft report (for those who finish at the end of Sem 1)
12	Monday	01-Jun-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 126 SANTOS	Final presentations	Craig Johns	GFS Staff to attend (for those who finish at the end of Sem 1)
13 Public Holiday	Monday	08-Jun-15	n/a
Swot Week (Craig overseas)	Monday	15-Jun-15	10am - 1:00pm	Nexus UB35	Editing (2)	Isabella Slevin	Email final draft to supervisor by 12 noon Monday 22 Jun (for those who finish at the end of Sem 1)
							Final report submission by 12 noon Thursday 2 Jul (for those who finish at the end of Sem 1)

Semester 2
Week	Day	Date	Time	Room	Topic	Instructor (s)	Notes, deadlines
1	Thursday	30-Jul-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Introduction	Craig johns	Course Structure
2	Thursday	06-Aug-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Introduction Workshop	Craig Johns	Isabella Slevin and GFS staff will attend if available
3	Thursday	13-Aug-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Polishing research proposal	Isabella Slevin	Students are required to bring a hard copy of their draft proposal (for those starting in Sem 2)
4	Thursday	20-Aug-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Literature review	Isabella Slevin
5	Thursday	27-Aug-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Rearch methods	Dale Yi
6	Thursday	03-Sep-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Sampling, questionnaire and interview design	Risti Permani	Proposal due 12 noon Wednesday 2 Sep (12 unit) and 9 Sep (6 unit), supervisor allocation by Monday 14 Sep
7	Thursday	10-Sep-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	(SCP concept) and market analysis	Risti Permani	Mid semester progress report due 12 noon Monday 14 Sep (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)
8	Thursday	17-Sep-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Presentation preparation	Craig Johns	Start presentation preparation early (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)
Mid sem break	Thursday	24-Sep-15	n/a
Mid sem break	Thursday	01-Oct-15	n/a
9 Craig overseas	Thursday	08-Oct-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Editing (1)	Isabelle Slevin	Studentes are required to bring a hard copy of their draft report (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)
10 Craig overseas	Thursday	15-Oct-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Editing (2)	Isabelle Slevin
11	Thursday	22-Oct-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Final presentations	Craig Johns	Relevant GFS Staff to attend (for those who finish the end of Sem 2)
12	Thursday	29-Oct-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Final presentations	Craig Johns	Relevant GFS Staff to attend (for those who finish the end of Sem 2)
SWOT week	Thursday	05-Nov-15	10am - 1:00pm	Marjoribanks 128 BankSA	Final presentations	Craig Johns	Relevant GFS Staff to attend (for those who finish the end of Sem 2)
							Email final draft to supervisor by 12 noon Monday 16 Nov (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)
							Final report submission by 12 noon Thursday 26 nov (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)
							Results due Thursday 3 Dec (for those who finish at the end of Sem 2)

*Timetable is subject to changes. Any changed will be announced through MyUni.

Specific Course Requirements

n/a

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

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

Assessment Summary

The supervisor and an examiner (assigned confidentially by the Program Coordinator) will assess the Research Project.

Criteria for assessment of Research Project:

(i) Written Report (70%):
    1. Clarity and succinctness of writing and logical structure of Research Project Report (10%)
    2. Critical assessment of the existing literature (20%)
    3. Appropriateness of methodology used (15%)
    4. Level of sophistication displayed in the analysis (25%)

(ii) Final oral presentation (15%)

(iii) Workload (15%)
     1. Outline and research proposal (10%)
     2. Seminar participation and research project management skills (5%)

Assessment Detail

The below criteria will apply to all students commencing and completing the project in this semester including students who started their projects (part-time) in the previous Semester.

Assessment framework for Research Project of Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business has been developed in accordance with the Research Skill Development (RSD) Framework developed at the University of Adelaide (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rsd/framework/). In general, students must perform at the minimum as a Level 4 Student.

Assessment criteria and performance sheet:

Assessment criteria	Very good	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
(i) Written report
Clarity and succinctness of writing and logical structure of Research Project Report	In addition, to the criteria in Satisfactory, use appropriate language and genre to extend the knowledge of a range of audiences.	Use concise, fluent, well-constructed and carefully proof-read language suitable for academic work. Tables and Figures are properly designed. Follow required format and submission guidelines.	Language is not well-developed or suitable for an academic paper due to grammatical errors, incoherence, etc. Tables and Figures do not provide additional information to the main text.
Critical assessment of the existing literature	Collect and record self-determined information/data from self-selected resources, and critically review the collected information to independently identify knowledge gaps.	Collect and record self-determined information/data from self-selected resources, and summarise knowledge gaps stated by others.	Collect and record required information/data from a prescribed source.
Appropriateness of methodology used	Choose and improve an appropriate methodology with self-structured guidelines.	Choose an appropriate methodology based on structred guidelines.	Choose one of several prescribed methodologies.
Level of sophistication displayed in the analysis	Evaluate information/data rigorously using self-generated criteria based on experience, expertise and literature. Reflect insightfully to renew others's processes.	Evaluate information/data rigorously using self-determined criteria developed within structured guidelines. Reflect insightfully to refine others' processes.	Evaluate information/data using criteria related to the aims of the research project. Replicate others' processes.
(ii) Oral presentation
Oral presentation	In addition to the criteria in Satisfactory, be able to respond to questions in effective manner to demonstrate his/her post-research improved set of skills and engage audience to generate new ideas.	Summarise the main content of his/her Research Project Report in concise and fluent language suitable for academic presentations within a specified time and provide relevant answers to questions being put forward.	Summarise the main content of his/her Research Project Report in ways unsuitable for academic presentations and fail to provide relevant answers to questions being put forward.
(iii) Workload
Outline and research proposal	In the proposal, background justifies the project in terms of a "gap" or extension of existing knowledge. The proposal narrows the research focus effectively and presents realistic and manageable research outcomes. The outline shows detailed sections of the final report and logical steps of the analysis that will be developed.	In the proposal, background justifies the project in terms of a "gap" or extension of existing knowledge. The proposal moves from a broader to a more specific context and presents clear research outcomes. The outline shows important sections of the final report and logical steps of the analysis that will be developed.	Limited background is provided in the proposal. Ideas/arguments are not well linked at times. Research questions and/or objectives are given by the supervisor. The outline shows irrelevant sections of the final report and implausible steps of the analysis that will be conducted.
Seminar participation and research management skills	In addition to the criteria in Satisfactory, demonstrate an enthusiastic attitude, potential capability and leadership capacities to manage a relatively complex project.	Actively participate at workshops organised by Global Food Studies and actively seeking guidance and feedback; demonstrate an ability to effectively manage a small research project; effectively take on personal responsability.	Little attempt to actively participate at workshops organised by Global Food Studies, taking no initiative in managing an independent research project, showing minimum leadership skills including taking on personal responsibility.

Submission

Four copies of the Research Project Report must be submitted to the Program Coordinator by the submission date at 12 noon. Any report submitted after the deadline will be considered late. The penalty will be 4 marks out of 100 for every working day which elapses after the submission date.

Students should note that supervisors will be asked to make a report to the examiners including whether s/he has read the final draft and drawing attention to any matters he/she considers relevant to the assessment of the report. Therefore, students are highly recommended to complete their final draft at the latest a week before the closing date to provide time for their supervisors to read the final draft.

Students must also submit a softcopy of the report (in a Word document) to TURNITIN by 12 noon on the submission date. Access to TURNITIN will be made available two weeks prior to the submission date to allow students to check the originality of their work before making a final submission. The details will be provided on MyUni.

Oral presentations will give opportunities for students to receive feedback on their draft report. Each student is expected to give a 10-15 minute presentation on his or her Research Project. All Global Food and Agricultural Business Masters students and Global Food Studies staff, including examiners, are expected to attend. The students will then be asked to respond to questions put forward by the examiners and audiences. The Program Coordinator and supervisors will make an alternative arrangement for a student unable to attend the workshop due to an acceptable reason (for example visa restrictions and illness).

The Director of Global Food Studies will present a "Research Project Award" to a student receiving the highest mark for the Research Project. The awardee will receive a certificate and a supporting letter from the Director.

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
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