EDPZ5003: Semester 1, 2024

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Units EDPZ5003 Semester 1 2024 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

EDPZ5003: Thesis Proposal Writing

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit is designed to support Higher Research Degree course students as they prepare their thesis proposals for formal review and approval, through sessions organised around issues in thinking, reading and writing about research design and practice. Sessions explore a range of approaches to writing about research practice and emphasise the common logic of the research process, and the importance of rigorous and systematic approaches to writing about design and analysis in all research traditions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	EDPZ5003
Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ilektra Spandagou, ilektra.spandagou@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ilektra Spandagou, ilektra.spandagou@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Research Proposal Part 2 Details on Canvas	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 11 Jun 2024 at 23:59	3000 words (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Proposal Part 1 Details on Canvas	50%	Week 08 Due date: 17 Apr 2024 at 23:59	3000 words (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Research Proposal Part 1 – Submission (2500 words) covers the aims and significance of the proposed project with use of the relevant literature. Assignment involves 500 word preparation work. The assignment is compulsory.

Research Proposal Part 2 – Submission (2500 words) covers a literature review on key concepts and a description of the proposed methodology with ethical consideration. Assignment includes 500 word preparation work. The assignment is compulsory.

Both assignments need to be submitted to meet the unit's requirements. Detailed infomration for each assignment is available on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	Introduction to research reading, writing and design (preparation reading to be provided from week 1)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	The thesis proposal	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Writing a literature review for a thesis proposal: purposes, processes, pitfalls	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Optimising your use of online Library resources	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Writing research questions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	The background to your study	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Theory, coherence and rigour in research design	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	The social and research significance of your study	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Literature review with a focus on methodology	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Research design and the process of refining your research questions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	The research design for your study	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Ethical considerations	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically engage with the different elements of a thesis proposal
LO2. Utilise your knowledge in writing up your thesis proposal
LO3. Discuss research design and writing and support others in collegial ways

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit was previously offered only to Sydney School of Education and Social Work HDR students. In recent years more students from faculties across the university enroll in EDPZ5003. Continuous revision of the content to include examples from different disciplines has ensured the relevance of the unit to all students. This semester emphasis on appropriate use of generative AI by researchers is included in the sessions and in preparation for the assessments.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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