University Learning

The Research Skill Development (RSD) framework was devised by Kerry O'Regan and myself in 2004, with the earliest version called the Information Literacy Continuum  first presented in 2005, and the journal article introducing the RSD in 2007.

The lion's share of research has taken place in the context of university learning, undergraduate, masters and PhD study.

This page for University Learning addresses the use of the RSD and other models of the MELT that were developed in the Higher Education Context, including the Work Skill Development (WSD) framework and the Optimising Problem Solving (OPS) pentagon, the Digital Skill Development (DSD) framework and the i-Talitali model that uses an analogy with weaving a Pacific Island mat, and presentation.

Higher Degree by Research and supervision is powerfully informed by the extended Researcher Skill Development (RSD7) framework.

Examples of uses of the RSD framework to inform assessment and curriculum design.

Accounting

• Business report marking rubric from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)

Animal and Vet Sciences

• Chicken and Egg e-Simulation (Year 1). RSD rubrics to Level 5 (from page 7 onwards)
• Liver Function Practical Report (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 2/3
• DVM Professional Skills: Management Accounting (Year 1 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program)
• DVM Professional Skills: Strategic Business Plan (Year 1 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program)
• Professional Skills in Vet Bioscience: Business & Animal Husbandry Assignment

Biology and Marine Science

• Marking rubric for field trip report from the University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for ‘Fish and Fisheries Biology’ poster assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)

Business Ethics

• Moral Dilemna 1 Masters by Coursework). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Research Report (Masters by Coursework). RSD rubric to Level 4

Business Law

• Ethics and Governance marking rubrics from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Legal Scenario for Accountants (Year 2/3). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Legal Issues for Accountants (Year 2/3). RSD rubric to Level 3

Chemistry

• Marking rubric for iodometry experiment from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for physical chemistry experiment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for amino acids organic chemistry experiment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for 'Application and Methods of Instrumental Analysis' report from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)

Computer Science

• Software Engineering Paper (Masters). RSD rubric to Level 4

Development and Governance

• Marking rubric for human rights essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for human rights reflective log from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for 'Governance and Development in the Pacific' essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)

Dentistry

• Dental and Health Science 1 wiki assessment plan
• Dental and Health Science 1 wiki criteria and standards

Dietetics

• Research Skill Assessment (Interns). RSD rubric to Level 5

Education

• Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation, Assessment 1 (Masters)
• Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation, Assessment 3 (Masters)
• Reflective Practice in Learning and Teaching Assessment 1 (Masters)
• Research Based Learning and Teaching Assessment (Masters)
• Research-based Learning Oral Presentation Marking Rubric (Masters)

Education and Technology

• Marking rubric for 'School and Society' assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for Curriculum Studies reflective journal from the University of the South Pacific (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for Curriculum Studies teaching portfolio from University of the South Pacific (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for 'Introduction to Curriculum Development' essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for 'Introduction to Curriculum Development' action research assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for 'Introduction to Curriculum Development' assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for Curriculum Studies II reflective journal from University of the South Pacific (Year 3). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for Curriculum Studies II teaching portfolio from University of the South Pacific (Year 3). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Marking rubric for Product Development Drawing assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for Product Development group assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for Industrial Lab Practice II assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for Design and CADD Project from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)

Electronic Engineering

• Proposal Seminar (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Stage 1 Progress Report (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Stage 2 Progress Report (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Semester A Progress Report and Performance (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final Seminar (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final Report (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Project Exhibition (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5, Facets D,E & F
• Final Performance (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Outcomes (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5, Facets C & D

English and Communication

• Adaptation essay rubric (Year 2)
• Adaptation literature review rubric (Year 2)
• Communication and Information Literacy marking rubric from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• English for Academic Purposes assignment 1 and marking rubric from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• English for Academic Purposes assignment 2 and marking rubric from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)

Geography

• Marking rubric for Introduction to Human Geography reflection essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)

History

• Marking rubric for 'Modern East Asian History’ essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for 'Modern East Asian History’ oral assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for 'Pacific Islands Prehistory' essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for ‘Special Topic: History of Fiji’ essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)
• Marking rubric for 'World History: Contemporary History' essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for 'World History: Contemporary History' summary assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Power, Passion & Greed: Research Project in Second Life (Year 2). Assessment Description
• Power, Passion & Greed: Research Project in Second Life (Year 2). RSD Rubric to Level 5

Human Biology Assessment Tasks and Curriculum Design

• Human Biology Curriculum redesign process
• Practicing with RSD marking criteria (Year 1). RSD rubric to Level 2. Since 2010, given to students to mark previous cohort's work, so that current students better understand the RSD marking criteria.
• Source Selection and Referencing (Year 1). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Group Research Wiki (Year 1). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Population Analysis Report (Year 1). RSD rubric to Level 4
• Assessment Instructions for above two tasks
• Introductory Seminar (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Literature Review (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Research Grant Proposal (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Research Poster (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Supervisor assessment 1 (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Supervisor assessment 2 (Honours).RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final seminar marking (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final journal article (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5

Language and Literature

• Marking rubric for essay from University of the South Pacific (Year 1/2)
• Marking rubric for 'Structure of English' essays from University of the South Pacific (Year 2/3)

Law

• Marking rubric for contract law assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)

Management

• Marking rubric for 'Introduction to Management' group project from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)

Media

• Weekly Workshop Portfolio (Year 2). Assessment description and RSD rubric to level 3
• Global Media Policies and Practices Course Outline (Year 2)
• Global Media: 1 Video Case Study (Year 2). RSD rubric to Level 3
• Media Research Methods Course Profile (Year 2)
• Media Research Methods Assignment 2 (Year 2). RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 3
• Media Research Methods Assignment 3 (Year 2). RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 3

Medical Science

• Introductory Research Seminar (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final Research Seminar (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Supervisor Assessment of Semester 1 Performance (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Supervisor Assessment of Semester 2 performance (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Literature Review (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Final Journal Article (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Research Poster (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5
• Research Grant Proposal (Honours). RSD rubric to Level 5

Medicine

• Clinical Reasoning Development for Case-Based Learning
• Presentation on Clinical reasoning in Medicine (Year 3)

Oral Health

• Group Wiki Collaboration and Project Poster (Year 1). Description and RSD rubric to Level 3

Paramedics

• Evaluation rubrics from the Justice Institute of British Columbia (Undergraduate)

Pharmacy

• Pharmacy learning contract (Year 4). Self Assessment according to 6 facets of RSD

Physics

• Laboratory marking rubric from University of the South Pacific (Year 2).

Population and Demographics

• Marking rubric for report on population and development in the Pacific region from University of the South Pacific (Year 3).

Psychology

• Diagnostic of Research Skills in Research Methods course (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric to Level 3.
• Marking rubric for Literature Review project from University of the South Pacific (Year 1/2).

Social Work

• Marking rubric for Mapping Agency report from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for report on social and community work organisation from University of the South Pacific (Year 1)
• Marking rubric for agency analysis project from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for community profile report from University of the South Pacific (Year 2)
• Marking rubric for introduction to reflective practice journaling from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)
• Marking rubric for report on United Nations' Conventions and Declarations from University of the South Pacific (Year 3)

Software Engineering

• Final Research Paper (Masters). RSD rubric to Level 4

Statistics

• Marking rubric for Introduction to Statistics assignment from University of the South Pacific (Year 1).

Sustainability

• Assessment criteria (Masters) for PGCW research component based on RSD framework (Level IV)

Tourism

• Introduction to Tourism Assignment 1 (Year 1). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Introduction to Tourism Assignment 2 (Year 1). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Issues in Global Business Assignment 1 (Year 2). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Issues in Global Business Assignment 3 (Year 2). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Tourism Planning Assignment 1 (Year 2). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Tourism Planning (Year 2). RSD rubric only from Level 0 to Level 3
• Tourism Planning Assignment 2 (Year 2). Description and RSD rubric from Level 0 to Level 3
• Tourist Communication Assignment 1 (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 4
• Tourist Communication Assignment 2 (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 4
• Sustainable Tourism Destinations Assignment 1 (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 4
• Sustainable Tourism Destinations Assignment 2 (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 4
• Sustainable Tourism Destinations Assignment 3 (Year 3). Description and RSD rubric from Level 1 to Level 4

Use of the RSD for post Work-Integrated Learning

Heck, D., Willis, A., Simon, S., Grainger, P., & Smith, K. (2020). Becoming a teacher: Scaffolding post-practicum reflection. In Enriching Higher Education Students' Learning through Post-work Placement Interventions (pp. 173-188). Springer.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-48062-2_10

Deb Heck and colleagues used the RSD to structure 'Becoming a Teacher' for powerful reflection individually and in groups after student Professional Placement in Schools. The ‘Becoming a Teacher’ framework incorporated the use of the findings and a redevelopment of the Work Skills Development Framework (WSD) (Bandaranaike & Willison, 2014, 2015) and Research Skills Development (RSD) framework (Willison & O’Regan, 2007) (see Table 2). The ‘Becoming a Teacher’ framework includes six dimensions involved in the development of teacher identity including – embark and clarify, find and generate, reflect and learn, plan and manage, problem solve, and communicate and collaborate.' (p. 180-181).

Examples of assessment and curriculum design in Undergraduate, honours and masters by coursework that have been informed by RSD are given below.

1. Introduction
2. State of Play (John Willison)
3. Pecha Kuchas (Barbara Yazbeck)
4. Pecha Kuchas (Michelle Harrison and Deborah Murdoch)
5. Pecha Kuchas (Sue Bandaranaike and Lyn Torres)
6. Pecha Kuchas (SA Core Group)
7. Interviews and breakout sessions
8. USP lectures (Prof Derrick Armstrong)
9. USP lectures (Heena Lal)
10. USP lectures (Sotiana Mele and Keith Morrison)
11. Reanimating the RSD
12. Closing remarks (Phil Levy)

The Research Skill Development (RSD) framework is a conceptual model for academics and tutors to create or modify curriculum and associated assessments in order to facilitate the explicit, incremental development of student research skills.

• Curriculum Design:

  Existing curricula may be slightly tweaked or radically altered by the application of the RSD as a conceptual framework. The RSD can also help to conceptualise some of the major purposes of new curricula.

  Frequently, a starting point for design or redesign is specific assessment tasks. This is in part because assessments indicate what lecturers value, and because they are locations where students focus their efforts. A significant part of the RSD mentality is incremental skill development, and so curricula design may consider the following:

  • developing student autonomy, through guided and well-modelled tasks progressively giving way to decreasing prescription and greater levels of flexibility.
  • running a diagnostic of student research skills (frequently to Level II) early in the course. This provides you with a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the cohort, the range of abilities and provides information about who may profit for referral to the Writing Centre.
  • providing timely feedback on this diagnostic assessment, and indicating its articulation with other course assessments that may require students to operate at higher levels of autonomy.
  • planning for lectures, tutorials, workshop activities, laboratories, clinics, discussions, etc that will help students operate at the higher levels required in subsequent assessments.
  • planning for the majority course time that students need to be allocating when not face-to-face or in formal online sessions. For example, many University of Adelaide courses have 40 hours of class time and exams, with 100 hours needing to be dedicated to other classwork. In the sciences and engineering, there is often a 50% each way split.
  • Readings in particular may assist in out-of-class components as they are integral to research processes, with the need for students to evaluate, analyse and make sense of these.
• RSD Assessment:

  The RSD frequently informs the redevelopment of assessments. This is commonly achieved through the following:

  • identify existing course assessments that already develop some facets of research.
  • determine the degree of autonomy that students would ideally have in these tasks eg Level II or Level IV.
  • find the closest analogous marking criteria from other existing examples (lots in RSD Assessments).
  • modify analogous criteria according to the demands of your assessment and the context.
  • consider if any of the 6 Facets of research is not represented or is under-developed, and modify the assessment task accordingly.
• Academics Coaching Other Academics on RSD in Curriculum Design:

  One significant advantage of utilising the same RSD framework across diverse disciplines is that academics who have utilised it in their own courses are able to explain the process to academics in related or unrelated disciplines. Each RSD-based assessment needs to be modified to fit the new context, but often this may be achieved quite efficiently.

  Pictured are two academics from Oral Health, Cathy Snelling (standing) and Sophie Karanicolas (mouse), discussing details of an RSD-based approach with two academics from Dentistry, Len Croecomb and Vicki Skinner. They are working through the details of assessing Collaborative Wikis as the process and Posters as the product of research using RSD-based marking criteria.

•  

Research Skill Development for Masters

Research Skill Development (RSD) for Masters focuses on concrete examples of how students’ research skills and problem-solving skills have been explicitly taught, developed and assessed in Masters coursework contexts. Watch our introductory video to RSD for Masters. 

Research Skill Development Handbook

In 2009, the RSD was elaborated into the unequivocal Researcher Skill Development framework, with two additional levels of autonomy, and so RSD7 for short.

The article PhD prepared addresses the use of the RSD and RSD7 across a Medical Science Degree.