James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

RM8102 - Research Project in Tropical Environments and Societies

Subject Description

Students will complete an independent research project / written thesis in a field of tropical environments and societies, which will be conducted and written up independently, with guidance and advice from the research advisors. The thesis should be 7,500-12,000 words and students will present the outcomes of their research in an oral presentation to a varied audience including academics, researchers and other post graduate students. It should clearly define a topic, provide a rationale, set the proposed research in the context of appropriate literature, describe methods for generating, gathering and/or analysing data and discuss issues associated with those methods. It should present the data generated as part of the research project, and a discussion of that data, in an appropriate format. It should draw conclusions and implications from the research (including as appropriate, implications for theory, practice and further research), relate findings and conclusions to relevant literature and theory, and offer a critical evaluation of the significance and limitations of the research. The thesis will undergo formal examination for the subject result by a panel external to the supervisory team.

Learning Outcomes

• communicate specialised knowledge, ideas and arguments accurately, coherently and creatively, to a variety of audiences through written manuscripts and oral presentations
• apply the principles of ethical practice to the conduct of research in the relevant area and/or related area of professional practice
• design, plan, conduct and complete a substantial research-based thesis with creativity and initiative and a high level of autonomy and accountability
• demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the relevant research area and/or related area of professional practice
• apply advanced formal reading and writing and collaborative skills for educational research in the relevant research area and/or related area of professional practice

Subject Assessment

• Research dissertation and oral presentation

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

The research thesis produced in this subject must be submitted for external examination.

Assumed Knowledge:  Understanding of relevant research methods and analysis required for independent research

Availabilities