ITECH 5500 Professional Research and CommunicationResearch ProposalOverviewThe purpose of this assessment is to enable students to demonstrate a critical awareness of previous research in an IT...

ITECH 5500 Professional Research and CommunicationResearch ProposalOverviewThe 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 referencespage (bibliography).• Compose a well-organized, clear, concise, research proposal to expand your knowledge on aresearch question in your chosen area.You can work on this report individually or in a group of two (maximum).Timelines and ExpectationsPercentage Value of Task: 30 %Due: 17.00 Friday Week 11Minimum time expectation: 20-30 hoursLearning Outcomes AssessedThe 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.S4. 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.CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 1 of 8
A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences.Assessment DetailsBackgroundThe 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.RequirementsEach group is required to submit a mini research report (2500-3000 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 – selection of an informative title• Abstract - summarization of the significant concepts in the proposed study focusing onkey aspects (300 words max)• Introduction – outline of the thesis, problem, research 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.CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 2 of 8
• Methodology- procedures and processes undertaken in your investigation/study including the research design– study type, variables, and data collection methods (as applicable).• Discussion and implications of research – Discuss with reasons whether your study needs Ethics clearance. Discuss findings that might occur and their potential impact on the field• 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.pdfhttp://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/2014-General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study- Skills.pdf[For distribution of marks, see the Marking Rubric at the end of this document]SubmissionSubmit 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-legislationResearch Proposal via the Turnitin linkYou 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.docx Page 3 of 8
Marking Criteria/RubricITECH5500 Research Report- Marking RubricStudent Id. Student Name Category Excellent Good Acceptable Poor/Unacceptable Marks Abstract 8-10Very coherent and succinct statement of the problem, motivation and proposed methodology6-7 Coherent and succinct statement of the problem, motivation and proposed methodology 3-5 Statement of the problem, motivation and proposed methodology0-2No abstract or poorly structured abstract/10 Introduction Strong 8-10 introduction of topic’s key question(s) and terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement.6-7Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 3-5Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. 0-2Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement./20 Literature Review 14-20Sources are exceptionally well- integrated and they support claims argued in the paper very effectively. 8-13Sources are well integrated and support the paper’s claims. 4-7Sources support some claims made in the paper, but might not be integrated well within the paper’s argument. 0-3The paper does not use adequate research or if it does, the sources are not integrated well. /20 Methods (and Methodology) 14-20Appropriate procedures and processes included and clear design of the research addressed.8-13Procedures and processes are included, and research design is somewhat clear. 4-7Some procedures and processes included, and research design is not clear. 0-3Procedures and processes are absent or vague, and research design is not addressed or very poorly addressed./20 Discussion of implications of research 8-10Exceptionally well- presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, well- developed, supported with specific evidence and facts, as well as in-depth analysis.6-7Well-presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, developed and supported with evidence and details, mostly specific, displays evidence of basic analysis. 3-5Content is sound. Ideas are present but not particularly developed or supported; some evidence of analysis, but usually of a generalized nature. 0-2Content is presented but not sound, and analysis is vague or not evident./10 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 4 of 8
Overall Organization 9-10Well-planned, logically-flowing and well-thought out. Includes informative title, 6-8Good overall organization and somewhat logically-flowing. Includes title, 3-5There is a sense of organization. Includes title, abstract with few key aspects and a 0-2No/lack of sense of organization. Missing title and/or a TOC. Also missing abstract or /10 References 9-10An appropriate number of authoritative references in APA style6-8 Authoritative references in APA style with some deficiencies 3-5Few authoritative references in APA style with many deficiencies 0-2Too few authoritative references in poor adherence to APA/10 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 5 of 8

an 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 8-10Excellent grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation.6-7A few errors in grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation, but not many. 3-5Shows a pattern of errors in spelling, grammar, syntax and/or punctuation- a sign of lack of proof-reading. 0-2Continuous errors/10 References and Formatting 9-10Includes 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.6-8Few errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance. 3-5Some errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance.0-2Many errors in references or citations and also in layout and appearance./10 Total (out of 100) Scaled (out of 35) Comments (if any): Marked by: CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 6 of 8
FeedbackSubmission 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-and- study/online-help-with/plagiarism.CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Assignment Proposal.docx Page 7 of 8