| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Minor Thesis (Part A) |
| Unit ID: | EDMED7121 |
| Credit Points: | 30.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (EDMED7037 and EDMED7038) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 070199 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit is the first in a sequence of two units for students who are deemed eligible to complete the Master of Education Studies through a research pathway. In Minor Thesis (Part A and Part B), students research and write their thesis under supervision of faculty. Completing a minor thesis allows an in-depth understanding of an issue and provides a strong foundation in research practice. This pathway is also for those who may want to one day apply for a PhD programme, which typically will require master's level research that includes a minor thesis. The focus of Minor Thesis (Part A) is successful completion of an ethics application when necessary, completion of satisfactory progress including draft chapters approved by the supervisor, prior to entering the field to collect data. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | |  | |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify and critically reflect on theory in a specialised field of education to guide research practice |
|
| K2. | Critically reflect on and explain the selection of research methodology and methods that are aligned with research aims and questions |
|
| K3. | Refine methodology in response to contemporary education scholarship and supervisor feedback |
|
| K4. | Apply ethical principles and articulate the importance of ethical approaches to research |
|
| Skills: |
| S1. | Develop a research proposal in keeping with University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) requirements - where the proposed research includes research with humans |
|
| S2. | Reflect on and refine proposed research in line with expectations established through academic supervision |
|
| S3. | Reflect on and accommodate change in response to the research context |
|
| S4. | Demonstrate effective written communication skills that are in keeping with accepted guidelines for presentation of high level academic work |
|
| S5. | Work independently to complete goals negotiated with the supervisor by the set time-lines. |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply advanced critical theoretical perspectives to the selection of appropriate research methodologies and methods |
|
| A2. | Compile, in collaboration with an academic supervisor, an Ethics Application that is approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) |
|
| A3. | Implement planned research effectively and ethically in an education context (to be continued in EDMED 7122) |
|
| Unit Content: |
Linking research proposals to education practice Refining research proposal through research practice, further reading and regular liaison with a supervisor, and professional peers. Ethical research |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
|
| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | 1 - Yes |
|
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2 |
Complete an Ethics Application - where warranted - in keeping with (HREC) requirements |
A completed ethics application approved by the HREC. |
S/U |
|
| 2. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2, A3 |
Complete a draft to the satisfaction of the research supervisor. The draft should contain the thesis introduction and significance of the research, literature review, and research design with ethical considerations. |
Draft chapters - Satisfactory progress of a minor thesis. |
S/U |
|
|