Program Director Contact Details: Project Management
Name: Dr Tracey Dodd 
Email: tracey.dodd@adelaide.edu.au

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Teaching Staff
Name: Christian Hoyer
Email: christian.hoyer@adelaide.edu.au

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

1. Discuss research theory in an informed and educated way;
2. Identify a research problem and develop relevant research questions;
3. Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research design;
4. Develop a research plan designed to address identified research problems;
5. Present a well-structured, informative, well-argued research proposal.

No textbook required

Saunders, M. N. (2011). Research methods for business students (5th ed.). India: Pearson Education India.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Saunders, M. N., & Lewis, P. (2012). Doing research in business & management: An essential guide to planning your project. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Robson, C. (2007). How to do a research project: A guide for undergraduate students. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.

Sharp, J. A., Peters, J., & Howard, K. (2017). The management of a student research project. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Eriksson, P., & Kovalainen, A. (2015). Qualitative methods in business research: A practical guide to social research. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

Hair, Joseph F. (2007). Research methods for business. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons

Strauss, A., and Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Thousand Oaks, Calif. London: Sage.

It is also useful to read relevant project management journal articles. In particular:

• 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.

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 taught via on-campus face to face lectures and tutorials and is intended to deliver recognised knowledge and skills in respect to conducting valid research. The course is a preparatory course for the capstone project course.

All course learning materials will be accessible to students via the online MyUni platform.

Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials as scheduled. Furthermore, students should prepare for lectures and revise post lecture to improve understanding of each week’s course module. Students will be directed to work on three different assessment pieces and submit for grading. As a general guide, a 3 unit course requires

Total workload hours: 12 Hrs per week x 13 weeks = 156 Hrs
Total contact hours: 3 Hrs per week x 12 weeks = 36 Hrs
Total self-guided study: 156 Hrs – 36 Hrs = 120 Hrs

The course will cover research methods and concepts via a structured approach. Hence, students will come to understand how to think about and plan for research and the knowledge and skills that are required. The lectures, tutorials and assessments are designed to reflect the practice of good research. Students will need to study outside of lectures and tutorials to appreciate the breadth of information within this area.  

The weekly lecture schedule is structured as follows

Week	Topic
1	Introduction to Research Methods
2	Research and Problem Definition
3	Effective Research Planning
4	Literature Reviews and Techniques
5	Research Design and Methodology
6	Qualitative Research Methodology
7	Quantitative Research Methodology
8	Research Proposals and Purpose
9	Proposal Structure: Introduction, Background, Research Problem and Questions
10	Proposal Structure:Research Design, Approach and Conclusion
11	Research Project Resources, Schedule and Ethics
12	Course Overview and Assistance

#	Assessment Task	Task Type	Length	Weight	Learning Outcomes
1	Research Theory Essay	Individual	1500 words	30%	1,3
2	Research Planning Report	Group	1500 words per student	30%	2,4
3	Research Proposal	Individual	2000 words	40%	2,3,4,5
	Total			100%

Students should be aware that considerable knowledge and skills will be taught at lectures and tutorials. Hence, students should attend all classes in order to pass the course.

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

Research Theory Essay:
Write an essay in respect to a particular area of research theory. The essay should delve into various research concepts and highlight what constitutes good and valid research. It should be supported by appropriate and relevant academic sources. The assessment based learning outcomes will have students demonstrating a good level of research knowledge understanding.  

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Research Planning Report:
This is a group assessment where you will need to prepare a plan on how you would execute a research project. The assessment topic will be based on a particular problem where the group will need to analyse how it would be best to conduct the research so as to inform the affected community in respect to the issues and possible solutions that may result from a research project. The learning outcomes for this assessment require you show that you understand the practice of planning for good research implementation and conduct.

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Research Proposal:
Each student will develop a research proposal of relevance to project management that will serve as a basis for the Project Management Research Study course. The proposal will investigate a specific project management issue and should include an introduction, background, research aim and questions, research design, resources, schedule and conclusion. The learning outcomes will be delivered via each student displaying their ability to think clearly about a project management problem and outline a research proposal to effectively investigate it.

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