Outline

Overview

Research and writing on an approved topic of the candidate's own choice, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. The form of written output can include a long essay, a journal article, a research or funding proposal or a range of industry relevant writing outputs including, for example, a shadow report or evaluation report. The output produced must demonstrate appropriate scholarly engagement. Department permission required.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sociology and Criminology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Susan Banki, susan.banki@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Research report Research project report	100%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Jun 2026	6000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Abstract draft: Students are required to submit a draft of their long essay abstract in advance. The abstract will help to identify a suitable examiner for your work. It is a very brief summary of what you set out to achieve, your major findings and conclusions.
Research report: 5000 – 7000 words (note, empirical research may often require a higher word-count). The word count includes all materials, except for any appendices and the bibliography. Students must include a word count at the start of their essay.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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.

High Distinction (85–100)

Designs, researches and produces an exceptionally strong and original piece of work that engages deeply and critically with relevant social justice material. Demonstrates sophisticated critical and constructive thinking about major themes in the discipline or area of study. Gathers, analyses and synthesises relevant data and debates with high analytical rigour and insight. Works independently and strategically, setting and managing goals effectively, demonstrating excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Shows a high level of ethical awareness and cultural competence, integrating ethical considerations thoughtfully and reflexively throughout the work.

Distinction (75–84)

Produces a well-designed and well-researched piece of work that engages clearly with relevant social justice material. Demonstrates strong critical and constructive thinking about key disciplinary or area themes. Gathers and analyses relevant data and debates effectively, with some synthesis and evaluation. Works independently and reliably, managing goals, time and outputs well, with effective problem-solving. Demonstrates clear ethical awareness and cultural competence, with appropriate consideration of ethical issues in the research process.

Credit (65–74)

Produces a competent and coherent piece of work that engages with social justice material, though depth or originality may be limited. Demonstrates sound but uneven critical thinking about major themes. Gathers relevant data and identifies key debates, with basic analysis rather than sustained evaluation. Works independently but with inconsistent goal-setting or time management. Demonstrates basic ethical awareness, with limited but appropriate consideration of ethical and cultural issues.

Pass (50–64)

Produces a basic piece of work that engages with social justice material at a surface level. Demonstrates limited critical engagement with major disciplinary or area themes, tending toward description rather than analysis. Gathers some relevant data or references debates but with minimal analysis. Demonstrates a basic capacity to work independently, though goal management, time management and problem-solving are inconsistent. Shows minimal awareness of ethical considerations, addressed superficially or implicitly.

Fail (0–49)

Produces a piece of work that does not adequately engage with relevant social justice material. Demonstrates little or no critical thinking about major themes in the discipline or area of study. Fails to gather relevant data or meaningfully analyse debates. Shows poor independent work practices, with ineffective goal management, time management and problem-solving. Demonstrates little or no awareness of ethical or cultural considerations, or addresses them inappropriately.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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	Learning outcomes
Ongoing	Meeting with supervisor	One-on-one supervision meeting (6 hr)

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.

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. design, research and produce a piece of work that engages with relevant social justice material
LO2. demonstrate capacity for thinking critically and constructively about major themes in a discipline or area study
LO3. gather relevant data and analyse relevant debates
LO4. demonstrate ability to work independently, to set and manage goals effectively and to manage time and output with an ability to problem-solve
LO5. demonstrate ethical considerations that apply to research, with capacity to work with ethical and cultural competence.

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.

No changes made this semester.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SCLG6905: Independent Research Project

Semester 1, 2026 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links