Program Director:
Name: Associate Professor Indra Gunawan
email: indra.gunawan@adelaide.edu.au

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Teaching staff:

Trimester 1 & 3
Name:  Dr Dang Nguyen
Email: dang.nguyen@adelaide.edu.au

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Trimester 2
Name: Dr Sam Baroudi
Email: sam.baroudi@adelaide.edu.au

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	Recognise, 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	Classify ethical, social and cultural issues and an understanding of the implication of these issues in the pursuit of project management research.

No textbook required

Suggested texbook: Saunders, Mark N.K., Lewis P. and Thornhill, A. 2015. Research Methods for Business Students PDF eBook (7e): 9781292016641 (online)

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.

Other resources: Project Management Institute
If you are a member of the PMI you will “gain exclusive access to PMI publications and our global standards*, networking options with our chapters and online communities of practice, and leadership and volunteer opportunities. You’ll also receive discounts on certification exams and renewals, as well as our professional development offerings.” Student membership details.

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.

This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as workshops and other course activities along with associated lecturer consultations which will help students to enhance their research studies.

Research Skill Development workshops are held throughout the year (examples: taking a critical approach, critical reading, reviewing literature, writing a proposal, and so on).

Prior completion of the COMMERCE 7039 Business Research Methods (M) is necessary in preparartion for this course.

This course is a 6 unit offering. As a guide, a standard 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study). You can expect to commit 312 hours to this 6 unit course.

The schedule 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	Finalising Research Proposals
Week 4	Self-Directed Writing and Supervisory Assistance (online)
Week 5	Supervisor/Student Meetings (Round 1 - online)	Research Proposals due in
Week 6	Research Report: Abstract, Introduction and Literature Review
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 12	Course Completion: Final Research Report Submission	Research Reports due in

An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table.

Assessment Task	Length	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
1. Research Proposal	2000 words	Week 5	15%	1-5
2. Research Project Presentation	5 minutes maximum      + questions	Week 9	15%	1-5
3. Final Research Report	9000 words	Week 13	70%	1-5

Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable learning in the classes that build your knowledge and thus enable you to be successful in this course.

Course results may be subject to moderation by the Assessment Review Committee.

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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.

Research Proposal
The aim of the assessment is to assist students in developing their research reports. It is required that students prepare a proposal for the lecturer’s consideration. The proposal should include the research background, aim or purpose of the project, objectives and research questions, research methodology, milestones, budget and possible outcomes.

Research Project Presentation
The Research Project Presentation will involve each student providing a PowerPoint presentation of their work to date. The presentation will be concise and to the point displaying the student's abilty to explain their research in a limited time period to the student audience. Other students should ask questions which should be answered by the presenter.

Final Research Report
The Final Research Report is the culmination of all investigations. Completing it will demand significant time and effort. The final report should include the following sections as appropriate: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Research Results and Discussion and Conclusions. A Reference list should also be included with ancillary items placed in the Appendices. It is expected that the report will be prepared to a professional standard.  

All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni:

• Assignment Submission: Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both).
• Cover Sheet: Please include in the assignment a completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet (found in MyUni, under Modules) 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.
• Assessment extensions request: An application for Assessment Extension should be made 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 medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances. See sections 3 and 7a) i. in particular on assessment extensions in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment (MACA) Policy.
• 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: of an assignment 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.
• Appealing a mark or grade: If you are dissatisfied with your mark or grade, you may request a review or re-mark. There must be academic or procedural reasons for your request, so you can’t simply request a re-mark because you are disappointed with your result. For more information on the process see Assessment Grievance: Appealing a mark or grade