ITECH 5500 Professional Research & Communication Task: Research Presentation- Mini Research Project Due Date: Week 12 (in timetable lecture and/or tutorial) (As scheduled by course Lecturer) Worth: 20% (20 marks) Objectives The purpose of this assignment is to enable students to evaluate professional communication aspects in relation to communication styles, skills and effectiveness, and to demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and communicate the key issues through a written report. Background Being able to present your research to an audience is a key skill for researchers to develop. There are a variety of different settings where you may be asked to do this, from the school or faculty research seminar to the international conference. Presentations sometimes take the form of posters as well as talks. It is important that every presentation take account of whom the audience is. A seminar delivered to an interdisciplinary audience which may have no specialist knowledge of your field will be very different to a conference presentation in front of learned specialists – even if you are presenting essentially the same research at both venues. For assistance in giving oral presentations, see: http://federation.edu.au/future-students/study-atfeduni/student-support/student-futures-program/study-skills/oral-presentations Requirements Each student is required to present an oral presentation or seminar of his/her research project. This presentation is expected to take approximately 10-12 minutes, with an additional 2 minutes for questions and comments from the audience. You are required to use presentation software (PowerPoint or so) for the purpose of this presentation. This assessment gives the student an opportunity to demonstrate the key aspects of their research work to an audience and also to receive feedback on their research and the study conducted towards achieving the outcomes. The student will present a detailed overview of the study. The student should be prepared to answer questions about any aspect of the study. The following is a sample structure of a research presentation [Note: This is a guide ONLY structure, you are required to make your own structure covering all the key aspects of your own research]- • Introduction: o Background, context, overview o Purpose of the study • Summary of Research Questions and Purpose: o Research questions, aims, hypotheses that are clear and specific o Definition of the paradigm and methodology chosen for the study, including the rationale for the choice; introduction to conceptual or theoretical framework • Summary of Relevant Literature: o Current, balanced, relevant, significant CRICOS Provider No. 00103D itech5500 research presentation assignment 2016.docx Page 1 of 3o Extensive • Summary of Methods, Methodology and Data Collection: o Variables used and relations between variables o Data collection and measurement tools • Summary of any other considerations/aspects of the research, e.g., [OHS/Safety and/or Ethics] Submission Submit an electronic copy of all files (PowerPoint etc.) via Moodle submission link. Please refer to the Course Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and plagiarism. A reminder all academic regulations can be accessed via the university's website, see: http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH5500 Research Presentation Assignment 2014_27 Page 2 of 3ITECH5500 Research Presentation- Marking Rubric Student Id. Student Name Category Excellent Good Acceptable Poor/Unacceptable Marks Organization 9-10 Student presents information in a logical, interesting sequence which audience can easily follow. 6-8 Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow. 3-5 Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around. 0-2 Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information. /10 Subject Knowledge 12-15 Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) and also answers all class questions with explanations and elaboration. 8-11 Student demonstrates substantial knowledge and is at ease with expected answers to all questions, but fails to elaborate. 4-7 Student is uncomfortable with the knowledge/ information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions. 0-3 Student does not have grasp of the knowledge/information; student cannot answer questions about the subject. /15 Mechanics 4-5 Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors. 3 Presentation has few misspellings and/or grammatical errors. 2 Presentation has some misspellings and/or grammatical errors. 0-1 Student's presentation has many spelling and/or grammatical errors. /5 Eye Contact 4-5 Student maintains eye contact with audience, seldom returning to notes. 3 Student maintains eye contact most of the time but frequently returns to notes. 2 Student occasionally uses eye contact, but still reads most of report. 0-1 Student reads all of report with no eye contact. /5 Elocution 4-5 Student uses a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms so that all audience members can hear presentation. 3 Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation. 2 Student's voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation. 0-1 Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear. /5 Total (out of 40) Scaled (out of 20) Comments: Marked by: CRICOS Provider No. 00103D itech5500 research presentation assignment 2016.docx Page 3 of 3 ITECH 5500 Professional Research and Communication Research Proposal Overview The purpose of this assessment is to enable students to demonstrate a critical awareness of previous research in an IT context within a chosen topic area through a basic understanding of research theory and techniques. It requires clear communication of ideas in a professional manner so that the reader can easily understand the purpose and results of your research. Overall goals of this assignment are to help you to: • Become more knowledgeable about finding and using varied research sources in your chosen area in IT. • Further develop your critical thinking skills and back up your points with evidence. • Become more adept at synthesizing information and developing informed views. • Discipline yourself to follow a scholarly research format to document in-text sources and a references page (bibliography). • Compose a well-organized, clear, concise, research paper to expand your knowledge on a research question in your chosen area. You may work on this report individually or in groups of two or three Timelines and Expectations Percentage Value of Task: 40 % Due: 17.00 Friday September 30th (Week 11) Minimum time expectation: 20-30 hours Learning Outcomes Assessed The following course learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment: Knowledge: K1. Determine the role IT research plays in contributing to organisational innovation, and success. K2. Critique advanced communication theory for organisations. K3. Identify appropriate research philosophies for IT projects, which match organisational approaches. K4. Identify appropriate methodologies and methods, for an organisational IT research project. Skills: S1. Utilise effective communication practice in organisations. S2. Demonstrate expert English language skills in academic and professional contexts. S3. Evaluate the quality and utility of literature sourced. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 1 of 8S4. Undertake a literature review for an organisational IT research project. Application of knowledge and skills: A1. Compose a research proposal and report on a topic related to an organisational IT research project. A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences. Assessment Details Background The mini research report provides a detailed description of a proposed research idea. It is similar to an essay and needs to be in a formal style with introduction, body and conclusion. In addition it requires a critical analysis and a coherent presentation. Requirements Each group is required to submit a mini research report (3000-3500 words excluding the title, abstract, table of contents and references/bibliography). The purpose of this task is to assist students to prepare and write a scholarly paper at an appropriate standard for this level of study. You have already done quite a bit of work for this research in tutorials: you should have a tentative research issue, strategies and evidence to persuade your readers about the significance of the problem you're researching, as well as the validity of your research issues. You also should consider opposing views or good counter-arguments that you can address in order to help establish your credibility and enhance the relevance of your paper. A. Report Layout (20%) The mini research report must contain the following sections, submitted in the order as listed below- • Title Page – selection of an informative title • Abstract - summarization of the significant concepts in the study focusing on key aspects (major results and conclusions) • Table of Contents. • Introduction – outline of the thesis, problem, question, etc. (stating the thesis/theory in terms of relationship among variables and examining the problem or investigating the question, or the like) and preview of the structure of the paper. • Literature Review- demonstration of the ability to find significant sources, familiarity with the existing body of knowledge, analysis of existing research, and learning through a careful reading of existing scholarship. • Methods (and Methodology)- procedures and processes undertaken in your investigation/study including the research design– study type, research question, hypotheses, variables, and data collection methods (as applicable). CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 2 of 8• Conclusion – briefly restate the research highlighting the implications of your research • References- include relevant literature sources (in-text citation and a list of full-text references) • Appendices (if applicable) - tables, graphs, charts or any other- related to the study not included in the main paper but referred to. Note: Students are required to follow the 'General guide to referencing' and 'Guide to Writing and Study Skills'- specially the 'Layout and Appearance' and the 'Report' sections. http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing- 2014.pdf http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-StudySkills.pdf [For distribution of marks, see the Marking Rubric at the end of this document] B. Reflective Journal (10%) You are required to produce a Reflective Journal (approximately 1000 words) that has been ongoing and progressive in terms of reporting ideas developed and other findings for the purposes of the research work. For this part of the assignment, write up a Reflective Journal of all work relating to your research topic and research idea as you have progressed through on a weekly basis, based on your weekly work/exercises in Part B of your Tutorial-Workshops from weeks 1-10. • A Reflective Journal is a tool that allows students to reflect on and write about their progress in their learning. They can identify and reflect on success and challenges. Its purpose is: o To record the development of your ideas and insights through the weekly exercises o To reflect on your own learning process o To analyze and discuss key issues covered by class work and/or readings • In other words, a Reflective Journal is a personal record of your progress and your developments in thinking about a subject or a topic. Although it's a more informal style of writing than other academic assignments, you now need to submit it as regular entries developed over a period of time- from week 1 till week 10. Your reflective journal forms the basis of your research report. • Consider the following when writing a reflective journal: o Describe events and your experience on weekly basis (weeks 1-10 based on the Tutorial-Workshops Part B) – What did I do/hear/see? o Interpret and evaluate the events from your perspective – What do I think about it now? How does it relate to other things that I know? o Explain your experience- reveal your new insights, connections with other learning, your hypotheses, and your conclusions. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 3 of 8o Have I changed how I think about the situation? How have I used these to help organize my writing? • Create individual weekly headings to reflect on and add a brief conclusion on the reflections at the end, all as suggested above. [Adapted from the following sources: Morley-Warner, T. (2000), Academic writing is: A guide to writing in a university context, Centre for Research and Education in the Arts, Sydney.] C – Ethics Application(10%) Include a fully completed ethics application in your submission. Refer to the lecture slides from week 7 for details of how to complete each section and to tutorial 7 for the links to the appropriate documentation Submission Submit an electronic copy of the Research Report along with your Reflective Journal and Ethics Application via the Turnitin submission link on the course Moodle page. Please refer to the Course Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and plagiarism. A reminder all academic regulations can be accessed via the university's website, see: http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation Research Proposal via the Turnitin link You will be able to view the originality report immediately after submission. You are advised to submit earlier so that you can check the originality report and make necessary changes (by paraphrasing, adding appropriate in-text citation/referencing etc.) to eliminate matching and avoid PLAGIARISM. You may re-submit the assignment until the due date/time. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 4 of 8Marking Criteria/Rubric ITECH5500 Research Report- Marking Rubric Student Id. Student Name Category Excellent Good Acceptable Poor/Unacceptable Marks Introduction 8-10 Strong introduction of topic's key question(s) and terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement. 6-7 Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 3-5 Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 0-2 Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement. /10 Literature Review 14-20 Sources are exceptionally wellintegrated and they support claims argued in the paper very effectively. 8-13 Sources are well integrated and support the paper's claims. 4-7 Sources support some claims made in the paper, but might not be integrated well within the paper's argument. 0-3 The paper does not use adequate research or if it does, the sources are not integrated well. /20 Methods (and Methodology) 14-20 Appropriate procedures and processes included and clear design of the research addressed. 8-13 Procedures and processes are included, and research design is somewhat clear. 4-7 Some procedures and processes included, and research design is not clear. 0-3 Procedures and processes are absent or vague, and research design is not addressed or very poorly addressed. /20 Discussion of implications of research 8-10 Exceptionally wellpresented and argued. Ideas are detailed, welldeveloped, supported with specific evidence and facts, as well as in-depth analysis. 6-7 Well-presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, developed and supported with evidence and details, mostly specific, displays evidence of basic analysis. 3-5 Content is sound. Ideas are present but not particularly developed or supported; some evidence of analysis, but usually of a generalized nature. 0-2 Content is presented but not sound, and analysis is vague or not evident. /10 Conclusion 8-10 The conclusion is engaging and strong integration with the thesis statement. 6-7 The conclusion restates the thesis. 3-5 The conclusion does not adequately restate the thesis. 0-2 Incomplete and/or unfocused. Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis. /10 Overall Organization 9-10 Well-planned, logically-flowing and well-thought out. Includes informative title, 6-8 Good overall organization and somewhat logically-flowing. Includes title, 3-5 There is a sense of organization. Includes title, abstract with few key aspects and a 0-2 No/lack of sense of organization. Missing title and/or a TOC. Also missing abstract or /10 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 5 of 8an abstract that summarizes key aspects and an appropriate TOC. abstract with some key aspects and a TOC. TOC. includes abstract that is vague. Grammar & Mechanics 8-10 Excellent grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation. 6-7 A few errors in grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation, but not many. 3-5 Shows a pattern of errors in spelling, grammar, syntax and/or punctuation- a sign of lack of proof-reading. 0-2 Continuous errors /10 References and Formatting 9-10 Includes range of legitimate references (internet, articles, quotations, books and journals etc.). Correct use of referencing and citation using APA style. Used University Guide for layout and appearance. 6-8 Few errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. 3-5 Some errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. 0-2 Many errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. /10 Total (out of 100) Scaled (out of 20) Comments (if any): Marked by: CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 6 of 8ITECH5500 Reflective Journal- Marking Rubric Student Id. Student Name Category Excellent 4-5 Good 2-3 Poor/Unacceptable 0- 1 Marks Reflection of learning Shows great depth of knowledge and learning, reveals understanding and thoughts. Abstract ideas reflected through use of specific details. Relates learning with research and project, personal and general reflections included. Does not go deeply into the reflection of learning. Generalizations and limited insight and uses some detail. Little or no explanation or reflection on learning. No details to support reflection or few details that do not reflect thoughtful consideration or important aspects of own experiences of the research. /5 Structural development of the Ideas Demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas and insights by connecting the student's experiences to the research work. Transitions are used to enhance organization. Ideas and insights present but not perfected. Demonstrates some understanding of course material, but does not clearly connect the student's research experiences. Lack of or no development of ideas and insights. No evidence of structure or organization. /5 Mechanics and Usage No errors in punctuation, capitalization and spelling as well as sentence structure and word usage. Some errors in punctuation, capitalization and spelling as well as in sentence structure and word usage. Numerous and distracting errors in punctuation, capitalization and spelling as well as in sentence structure and word usage. /5 Content All entries are provided containing complete answers to all questions prompts. Entry provides answers to most question prompts for all entries, missing some. Entry significantly misses key question prompts or does not answer important questions and also missing some entries. /5 Conclusion The conclusion is engaging and restates personal learning. The conclusion does not adequately restate the learning. Missing, incomplete and/or unfocused. /5 Total (out of 25) Scaled (out of 10) Comments (if any): Marked by: CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 7 of 8ITECH 5500 Ethics Application Student Id. Student Name Category Excellent 4-5 Good 2-3 Poor/Unacceptable 0- 1 Marks Each section filled out correctly Fully comprehensive coverage of each section. Some misconceptions. Some sections left out. Large sections omitted. Major misconception /10 Plain Language Information Statement Clear description of what is required from participants written in jargon free language that can be understood by non-experts. Statement not clear. Some sections omitted. Statement difficult to understand. Major sections left out. Participants left unprepared . /10 Risk Assessment Careful thought about risks to all participants Most areas covered but some minor omissions or errors Risks not adequately detailed. Participants potentially exposed to problems/risks without their knowledge /5 Total (out of 25) Scaled (out of 10) Comments (if any): Marked by: Feedback Submission will be marked electronically and returned via moodle within 2 weeks. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the presentation of the expressed thought or work of another person as though it is one's own without properly acknowledging that person. You must not allow other students to copy your work and must take care to safeguard against this happening. More information about the plagiarism policy and procedure for the university can be found at http://federation.edu.au/students/learning-andstudy/online-help-with/plagiarism. CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal 2016.docx Page 8 of 8