Master of Environmental Management ENVS 9700A-B 9 Unit and ENVS 9710A-D 18 Unit research projects The Master of Environmental Management program provides students with the opportunity to undertake independent research as 9 or 18 unit-projects. Students negotiate research topics in conjunction with a project supervisor within the School of the Environment. There are different requirements for the different project levels. Prior to enrolling in research projects, students are strongly recommended to have completed ENVS8720 Research Project Design and Conduct in the semester prior to taking their research project. ENVS9700A-B Research Project [9 units] ENVS9700A-B Research approach/primary data collection A 9-unit research project needs to demonstrate some ‘primary’ intellectual analysis/review/application on the part of the student. Primary data collection does not have to be substantial; there are no rules on what is an appropriate amount. Where primary data is minimal students will need to compensate with a deeper level of appraisal/analysis of contemporary literature/policy. A student cannot merely collate or summarise information that is available in written reports, websites, journals or other literature – the research project does not constitute an essay. If a student has access to unprocessed primary data (for example from their home employer, a supervisor, industry placement) they may use the data for their project. It is advisable that the student checks whether the data is readily available, and preferably has the data ‘in-hand’ prior to commencing the study. The student will need to demonstrate familiarity with current literature on their chosen topic–not only in the form of a literature review, but also in terms of how their own findings fit within the contemporary literature in that field. In a 9-unit project the research findings must be discussed or compared with findings from other similar studies. Do findings dispute those of others, agree with other studies, or vary according to differing contexts – if so, how and why? ENVS9700A-B The written document The length of the thesis should be approx. 10,000 words (+/- 10%). Suggested layout includes: introduction and study context, aims and objectives, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, references. These are guidelines only, sections may be combined (e.g. Discussion and Conclusion in one chapter), or the sequence of sections may vary at the discretion of the student and supervisor. Use Harvard referencing. In some instances students present their research as a Journal paper. In such cases the style and referencing format of the Journal to which it will be submitted should be followed. ENVS9700A-B Due date Week 13 Friday 5pm. ENVS9700A-B Examination The student should run the thesis through turnitin and then submit to the Dropbox on FLO. A final hard copy of the thesis should be submitted to the School of the Environment Office. The program coordinator will handle the process of examination of the thesis, mark collation, and provide feedback of the examiner’s report(s) to the student and supervisor.