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Course Outline

COU755 Research Project B

Course Coordinator:Catherine Creamer (ccreamer@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

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

In this second part of the research project you will collect and analyse the findings on which your research is based. You will subsequently prepare and submit the research in a scholarly article which complies with the style and presentation requirements of the target journal. Your research publication, and presentation of your findings at the annual USC Counselling Conference, is the culmination of training in utilising counselling knowledge and research skills and demonstrating your ability to link practice with research.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Training and support for research project presentation 3hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Praxis of Data Collection
Open Coding, Axial and Selective Coding
Parts of a Journal Manuscript
Introduction and Method
Results and Discussion
Abstract, References, and Appendices
1 page lay summaries
Putting it all together
Defending your research
Submitting to Journals
Presentation Practice
Counselling Research Presentation Day

 

 

 

Mature Content

Coarse Language

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced 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 Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate critical advanced theoretical knowledge in counselling. Knowledgeable
2 Demonstrate competence in analysing and reporting research data Empowered
Ethical
3 Demonstrate presentation skills and the ability to summarise research outcomes Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
4 Produce a substantial counselling based research report ready for publication Empowered
Ethical
5 Demonstrate academic scholarship Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical

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

COU754 and enrolled in AR708

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

In class practice sessions will provide ongoing early feedback and research supervisors are available for weekly feedback.

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 Oral Individual 10% 
Brief of research: 10 minutes
Defence of research: 10 minutes
 Week 4 In Class
All 2 Oral Individual 20% 
Your Conference Presentation will be 15 minutes in duration (+ 5 min Q&A). You will be invited to develop a maximum 15 slides (not including title and reference slide) to accompany your presentation.
 Week 13 To be Negotiated
All 3 Report Individual 70% 
5000 words
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Defence of Research Design and Methodology
Goal: 
To develop capacity and understanding in relation to the defence of research.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
For the Defence of Research, students will be invited to create a five slide summary brief of their  project to date. Slides will incorporate: Rationale, aim and research question; design and methodology, data collection, and researcher experiencing.

Students will commence with their presentation, and then field questions from members of the academic team.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Presentation: Precisely and accurately summarises the research methodology and method, justifying why this was the best way to answer the research question.
 2
2 
Presentation: Summarises research findings objectively and succinctly in results. Discussion presents as well reasoned.
 2 3
3 
Developed capacity to respond knowledgeably to defence questions related to the presented research.
 1
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Presentation of Research at Conference
Goal: 
To develop capacity for oral dissemination of research within a conference setting.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
During the Counselling Research Presentation Day, each student will present their research process and outcomes to an invited audience. They will prepare no more than 15 PPT slides, summarising all necessary information to communicate their research process and outcomes. They will speak for 15 minutes, and will answer any audience questions for a further 5 minutes.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Presentation: Opening includes an engaging opening that captures the audience, succinctly summarises the background literature, and concludes with a logical research gap/question.
 1 3
2 
Presentation: Precisely and accurately summarises the research methodology and method, justifying why this was the best way to answer the research question. Enough detail is given to enable replicability if needed.
 2
3 
Presentation: Summarises research findings objectively and succinctly in results, and interprets findings fairly in discussion. Discussion includes Question, critique, limitations, future research ideas, and conclusion.
 2 3
4 
Presentation: Oral presentation skills comply with USC oral presentation standards.
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Journal Manuscript
Goal: 
To develop capacity in preparing a research manuscript for publication.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The manuscript will be written in a scientific research report format, including title page, abstract & keywords, introduction, literature review, method, results, discussion, references, and appendices (if any). 
It will be written using the APA 7th ed. as referencing conventions (applied also to any tables/figures).

Students will be requested to submit an additional cover page with their manuscript, that details their selected journal for submission, and pertinent publication guidance.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Title page, Abstract & Keywords: Demonstrated ability to include an APA compliant research title page, succinctly summarise their research process and outcomes in a 250 word abstract. 3-5 well chosen keywords are included. Formatted to APA 7th ed.
 4 5
2 
Introduction: Demonstrated ability to establish and articulate a sound rationale for the research. Background literature is summarised succinctly and logically. Identified research gap/question/s are congruent with the preceding review.
 4 5
3 
Method: Research methodology is fully justified, and presented in a manner that is comprehensive and concise. Research methodology is written in such as way that replication is possible.
 4 5
4 
Results: Results are summarised and displayed in a logical and ordered manner. The results are objective, and no interpretations are evident.
 4 5
5 
Discussion: The dIscussion is written to include all necessary parts (research question, statement of support, interpretation of results against background literature, study limitations, research recommendations, conclusion).
 4 5
6 
Academic Integrity: The research report is written to APA 7th ed. guidelines, and there is no evidence of plagiarism.
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

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

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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