ITECH 5500 Professional Research and Communication
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 1 of 5
Research Proposal
Overview
The purpose of this assessment is to enable students to demonstrate a critical awareness of previous research in
an IT context within a chosen topic area through a basic understanding of research theory and techniques. It
requires clear communication of ideas in a professional manner so that the reader can easily understand the
purpose and results of your research. Overall goals of this assignment are to help you to:
Become more knowledgeable about finding and using varied research sources in your chosen area in IT.
Further develop your critical thinking skills and back up your points with evidence.
Become more adept at synthesizing information and developing informed views.
Discipline yourself to follow a scholarly research format to document in-text sources and a references
page (bibliography).
Compose a well-organized, clear, concise, research paper to expand your knowledge on a research
question in your chosen area.
You may work on this report individually or in a group of two (maximum).
You are responsible for identifying your own topic for this proposal. You may use the same topic as for your
earlier interim proposal, but the proposal submitted for this task should be considerably better developed and
more detailed.
Timelines and Expectations
Percentage Value of Task: 50 %
Due: 17.00 Friday Week 12
Minimum time expectation: 20-30 hours
Learning Outcomes Assessed
The following course learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment:
Knowledge:
K1. Determine the role IT research plays in contributing to organisational innovation, and success.
K2. Critique advanced communication theory for organisations.
K3. Identify appropriate research philosophies for IT projects, which match organisational approaches.
K4.
Identify appropriate methodologies and methods, for an organisational IT research project.
Skills:
S1.
Utilise effective communication practice in organisations.
S2.
Demonstrate expert English language skills in academic and professional contexts.
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S3.
Evaluate the quality and utility of literature sourced.
S4.
Undertake a literature review for an organisational IT research project.
Application of knowledge and skills:
A1. Compose a research proposal and report on a topic related to an organisational IT research project.
A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences.
Assessment Details
Background
The mini research report provides a detailed description of a proposed research idea. It is similar to an essay
and needs to be in a formal style with introduction, body and conclusion. In addition it requires a critical
analysis and a coherent presentation.
Requirements
Each individual student or group is required to submit a mini research report (2500-3000 words excluding the
title, abstract, table of contents and references/bibliography). The purpose of this task is to assist students to
prepare and write a scholarly paper at an appropriate standard for this level of study.
You have already done quite a bit of work for this research in tutorials: you should have a tentative research
issue, strategies and evidence to persuade your readers about the significance of the problem you’re
researching, as well as the validity of your research issues. You also should consider opposing views or good
counter-arguments that you can address in order to help establish your credibility and enhance the relevance of
your paper.
Report Layout
The research proposal must contain the following sections, submitted in the order as listed
below-
Title Page – selection of an informative title
Abstract – summarization of the significant concepts in the study focusing on key aspects
(major results and conclusions)
Table of Contents.
Introduction – outline of the thesis, problem, question, etc. (stating the thesis/theory in terms
of relationship among variables and examining the problem or investigating the question, or
the like) and preview of the structure of the paper.
Literature Review- demonstration of the ability to find significant sources, familiarity with
the existing body of knowledge, analysis of existing research, and learning through a careful
reading of existing scholarship.
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Methodology – procedures and processes undertaken in your investigation/study including
the research design– study type, variables, and data collection methods (as applicable).
Discussion and implications of research – Discuss with reasons whether your study needs
Ethics clearance. Discuss findings that might occur and their potential impact on the field
Conclusion – briefly restate the research highlighting the implications of your research
References- include relevant literature sources (in-text citation and a list of full-text
references)
Appendices (if applicable) – tables, graphs, charts or any other material related to the study
not included in the main paper but referred to.
Note: Students are required to follow the ‘General guide to referencing’ and ‘Guide to Writing and
Study Skills’- specially the ‘Layout and Appearance’ and the ‘Report’ sections.
http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing-
2014.pdf
http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-StudySkills.pdf
[For distribution of marks, see the Marking Rubric at the end of this document]
Submission
Submit an electronic copy of the Research Report along with your Reflective Journal and Ethics
Application via the Turnitin submission link on the course Moodle page. Please refer to the Course
Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and
plagiarism. A reminder all academic regulations can be accessed via the university’s website, see:
http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation
Research Proposal via the Turnitin link
You will be able to view the originality report immediately after submission. You are advised to
submit earlier so that you can check the originality report and make necessary changes (by
paraphrasing, adding appropriate in-text citation/referencing etc.) to eliminate matching and avoid
PLAGIARISM. You may re-submit the assignment until the due date/time.
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Marking Criteria/Rubric
ITECH5500 Research Report- Marking Rubric
Student Id.
Student Name
Category
Excellent
Good
Acceptable
Poor/Unacceptable
Marks
Introduction
8-10
Strong
introduction of
topic’s key
question(s) and
terms. Clearly
delineates
subtopics to be
reviewed. Specific
thesis statement.
6-7
Conveys topic
and key
question(s).
Clearly
delineates
subtopics to be
reviewed.
General thesis
statement.
3-5
Conveys topic, but
not key
question(s).
Describes
subtopics to be
reviewed. General
thesis statement.
0-2
Does not
adequately convey
topic. Does not
describe subtopics
to be reviewed.
Lacks adequate
thesis statement.
/10
Literature
Review
14-20
Sources are
exceptionally well
integrated and
they support
claims argued in
the paper very
effectively.
8-13
Sources are well
integrated and
support the
paper’s claims.
4-7
Sources support
some claims
made in the
paper, but might
not be integrated
well within the
paper’s argument.
0-3
The paper does not
use adequate
research or if it
does, the sources
are not integrated
well.
/20
Methods (and
Methodology)
14-20
Appropriate
procedures and
processes
included and clear
design of the
research
addressed.
8-13
Procedures and
processes are
included, and
research design
is somewhat
clear.
4-7
Some procedures
and processes
included, and
research design is
not clear.
0-3
Procedures and
processes are
absent or vague,
and research
design is not
addressed or very
poorly addressed.
/20
Discussion of
implications of
research
8-10
Exceptionally well
presented and
argued. Ideas are
detailed, well
developed,
supported with
specific evidence
and facts, as well
as in-depth
analysis.
6-7
Well-presented
and argued.
Ideas are
detailed,
developed and
supported with
evidence and
details, mostly
specific,
displays
evidence of
basic analysis.
3-5
Content is sound.
Ideas are present
but not particularly
developed or
supported; some
evidence of
analysis, but
usually of a
generalized
nature.
0-2
Content is
presented but not
sound, and analysis
is vague or not
evident.
/10
Conclusion
8-10
The conclusion is
engaging and
strong integration
with the thesis
statement.
6-7
The conclusion
restates the
thesis.
3-5
The conclusion
does not
adequately
restate the thesis.
0-2
Incomplete and/or
unfocused. Does
not summarize
evidence with
respect to thesis.
/10
Overall
Organization
9-10
Well-planned,
logically-flowing
and well-thought
out. Includes
informative title,
6-8
Good overall
organization and
somewhat
logically-flowing.
Includes title,
3-5
There is a sense
of organization.
Includes title,
abstract with few
key aspects and a
0-2
No/lack of sense of
organization.
Missing title and/or
a TOC. Also
missing abstract or
/10
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an abstract that
summarizes key
aspects and an
appropriate TOC.
abstract with
some key
aspects and a
TOC.
TOC.
includes abstract
that is vague.
Grammar &
Mechanics
8-10
Excellent
grammar, spelling,
syntax and
punctuation.
6-7
A few errors in
grammar,
spelling, syntax
and punctuation,
but not many.
3-5
Shows a pattern
of errors in
spelling, grammar,
syntax and/or
punctuation- a
sign of lack of
proof-reading.
0-2
Continuous errors
/10
References and
Formatting
9-10
Includes range of
legitimate
references
(internet, articles,
quotations, books
and journals etc.).
Correct use of
referencing and
citation using APA
style. Used
University Guide
for layout and
appearance.
6-8
Few errors in
references or
citations and
also in layout
and
appearance.
3-5
Some errors in
references or
citations and also
in layout and
appearance.
0-2
Many errors in
references or
citations and also in
layout and
appearance.
/10
Total (out of 100)
Scaled (out of 50)
Comments
(if any):
Marked by:
