Course Outline

BUS512 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design

Course Coordinator:Jenna Campton (jcampton@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 1

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides the foundation for a postgraduate research project on a business-related topic. It will give you an understanding of the research process, concepts and designs, and an opportunity to develop a research proposal on your chosen topic. You will learn how to identify appropriate research questions based on the critical analysis of existing knowledge and will be introduced to various research methodologies and methods. The course is designed to give you an appreciation of the complexities of conducting research on business topics, including the ethical issues involved.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to business research 
  • Research philosophies, ethics and designs
  • Qualitative designs and data collection 
  • Quantitative designs and data collection 
  • Sampling, data preparation and analysis 

What level is this course?

500 Level (Advanced)

Engaging with new discipline knowledge and skills at an advanced level or deepening existing knowledge and skills within a discipline. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
1 Demonstrate a specialised knowledge within a specified area in business. Knowledgeable
PC6
2 Identify an appropriate research question based on current knowledge and theory. Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
PC1.1, PC3
3 Design a research study using an appropriate methodology and methods Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
PC6
4 Identify the potential ethical issues involved in a proposed research project and how to address these issues in research design and conduct. Ethical
PC4

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC4 Community Consciousness
PC6 Career-adaptive

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any honours program or postgraduate coursework program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

You will be given opportunities to discuss the development of your research on a regular basis in the workshops to obtain feedback from your peers and the workshop facilitator.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 40%
2,000 words
Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Plan Individual 60%
4,000 words
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Development of preliminary research question
Goal:
Develop and justify a research question for a possible research project.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This submission will present an overview of the background and the problem being addressed by the research, justification and statement of research purpose and research question/s and the scope.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Conceptualisation and development of an argument for the research
1 2
2
Formulation of research question
2
3
Identification of research boundaries
1
4
Writing and presentation
1
5
Referencing/Academic integrity
1
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Research proposal
Goal:
To present and justify a research project with an appropriate methodology designed to address the research question posed in Assessment Task 1.
Product: Plan
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This submission will build on Task 1 by including the refined background, research question and an overview of the literature. In addition, this task will require a detailed research methodology and methods section including sampling, data analysis, and identification of ethical issues.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Research focus including background, question, definitions, scope and literature review
1
2
Explanation and justification of methodology, methods, sampling and data analysis approach
3
3
Identification and explanation of ethical issues related to the project
4
4
Writing and presentation
2
5
Referencing/Academic integrity
2
Generic Skills:

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Christina Quinlan,William G. Zikmund 0 Business Research Methods 2nd edn. n/a

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: