WRP9002 Work-Based Research Project

Staffing

Examiner: Luke Van Der Laan
Moderator: Rhod McNeill

Requisites

Pre-requisite: WRP9001 and Students must be enrolled in the Doctor of Professional Studies program (DPST)

Other requisites

Re-enrolment in the WRP9002 course until dissertation submission is dependent on an assessment of good progress in the preceding semester.

Students will require access to e-mail and have reliable internet access for this course.

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and is an integral element in the studying and learning process associated with this course. The course makes significant use of the internet and online environment.

Rationale

The work-based research project course allows doctoral candidates to implement their work-based research projects in accordance with their successfully assessed work-based research project proposals (Refer WRP9001). Students are required to implement their work-based projects and initiate the associated research methodology as stipulated in their proposal and ethics approval. Recurring enrolment in the course until completion of a final dissertation for examination is required. Candidates are supported and their progress assessed by an appointed principal supervisor who will submit biannual progress reports to the program director.

Synopsis

Doctoral candidates undertaking their work-based research project should enrol in this course for each semester of their candidature. This will normally be for a total of ten semesters or until the candidate is ready to finalise and submit their final dissertation in agreement with their supervisor. The candidate will combine work and study, by investigating, analyzing, assessing and developing possible improvements or innovations to some agreed aspect(s) (process(es), procedure(s) or product(s)) at the student's workplace. With the help and support of an supervisor, it is expected that the student will study appropriate literature and other resources, research methodology and undertake other activities, as in the student's approved work-based research project proposal. The student must demonstrate a capability of successfully undertaking self-managed and/or collaborative research and project development culminating in providing a report of their progress at the completion of each study period.

Objectives

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course related activities and administration
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Progress Reports: to complete the Progress Report satisfactorily, students must fill out the report in consultation with their supervisor. As part of their research program, students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory progress.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Higher Degree research students are required to submit all pieces of assessment (ie Progress Reports) by the due date as advised by Faculty to avoid a Fail grade.
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   Progress Report: DPST students must submit a progress report and deemed to be making Satisfactory Progress by the supervisor and ADR to receive a SP grade
   
   NOTE: It is acknowledged that work conditions may change and materially affect the implementation of the student’s work-based projects. Reasonable flexibility is assured to allow the student to amend the Work-based research proposal according to their change in context.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   Not applicable.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable.
   
   
8. University Student Policies:
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/search/category/usq_document_policy_type/Student.1.html.
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner’s convenience.Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if required by the Examiner.
   
   
2. In accordance with University Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
   
   
3. If electronic submission of assessments is specified for the course, students will be notified of this on the USQ Study Desk. All required electronic submission must be made through the Assignment Drop Box located on the USQ Study Desk for the course, unless directed otherwise by the examiner. The due date for an electronically submitted assessment is the date by which a student must electronically submit the assignment. The assignment files must be submitted by 11.55pm on the due date using USQ time (as displayed on the clock on the course home page; that is, Australian Eastern Standard Time).
   
   
4. If the method of assessment submission is by written, typed or printed paper-based media students should (i) submit to the Faculty Office for students enrolled in the course in the on-campus mode, or (ii) mail to the USQ for students enrolled in the course in the external mode. The due date for the assessment is the date by which a student must (i) submit the assessment for students enrolled in the on-campus mode, or (ii) mail the assessment for students enrolled in the external mode.
   
   
5. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
   
   
6. Students who do not have regular access to postal services for the submission of paper-based assessments, or regular access to Internet services for electronic submission, or are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements prior to the submission date.
   
   
7. Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded one of the temporary grades: IM (Incomplete - Make up), IS (Incomplete - Supplementary Examination) or ISM (Incomplete -Supplementary Examination and Make up). A temporary grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
   
   
8. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
   
   
9. Students may be assigned an “Incomplete” grade to signify that all the requirements of the course have not yet been met. Students who are graded “I” can pass the course by successfully completing such additional work as prescribed by the examiner by a given date. Students who have been awarded an IM, ISM, IDM or IDB grade must access information regarding further work to be completed, in the Student Centre of U Connect. The Grades Page in the Student Centre contains information about further work to be completed. Students who have not completed the additional work to the satisfaction of the examiner by the given date will receive the appropriate Fail grade.