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Overview

Students will gain an understanding of how research is conducted and managed. They will gain skills in experimental design, data collection, analyses and interpretation, preparing abstracts, and reporting results. Students will also learn the importance of and gain experience with verbally communicating their research.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold 50 – 59%•Some basic understanding of the potential applications of the research.• Some original interpretation.• Some evidence of extensive and thorough study•Use of recent research perspectives•The communication style will be acceptable with likely some fairly minor typographical or other errors. •There will be good referencing of primary source material where appropriate.•Adequate knowledge of some key concepts of the research area. •Weaknesses in understanding of theoretical issues with multiple/major factual errors. •Limited evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research.•Arguments are weak or underdeveloped, with little synthesis or original interpretation. •Key research questions are only briefly and superficially addressed, with irrelevant material and poor structure.•Weak presentation with disjointed structure and major APA format errors.•Weaknesses in experimental design, data collection, or data analysis.•Incomplete or superficial review of the relevant literature.•Weak integration of proposed research or results with the relevant literature.•Weak/flawed interpretation of results with the relevant literature. -good -Good 60 - 69%•Considerable basic understanding of the potential applications of the research.•Good knowledge of key concepts of the research area. •Evidence of original analysis.•Solid understanding of theoretical issues with few factual errors. •Clear evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research.•Use of recent research perspectives.•The communication style will be precise and concise with minor typographical or other errors.•There will be good to very good referencing of primary source material where appropriate.•Coherent arguments, with limited synthesis or original interpretation. •Key research questions are adequately addressed, with good structure and little irrelevant material.•Well-structured presentation showing focus of argument and expression.•Appropriate experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.•Adequate review of the relevant literature.•Appropriate integration of proposed research and results with the relevant literature.•Appropriate interpretation of results with the relevant literature. -excellent -Criteria descriptionExcellent 70% +•Evidence of thorough understanding of and/or original insights as to the potential applications of the research.•Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of key concepts of the research area. •Solid understanding and original interpretation of theoretical issues with no factual errors. •Excellent depth and breadth of understanding••Clear evidence of critical analysis and insightful evaluation of theory and research.•Coherent arguments, with accurate and succinct synthesis and original interpretation. •Key research questions are strongly addressed, with clear structure and no irrelevant material.•Well-structured presentation showing focus and clarity of argument and expression.•Strong experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.•Thorough yet concise review of the relevant the literature.•Exceptional integration of proposed research and results with the relevant literature.•Well-developed and supported interpretation of results with the relevant literature.•The communication style will be precise and concise with very few typographical or other errors. •There will be comprehensive referencing of primary source material where appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

• Able to formulate predictions with appropriate consideration of existing literature.

• Able to integrate their results with related literature, and draw appropriate conclusions.

• Able to present their research and findings orally, in a conference setting.

• Able to present their study and results in a formal written thesis.

• Able to succinctly summarise their research and findings.

• Demonstrate ability to manage a research project.

• Demonstrate understanding of data collection methods appropriate to their study.

• Demonstrate understanding of experimental design and data analyses methods appropriate to their study.