This course comprises a supervised research project supported and complemented by class and supervisory discussions. It is designed for those of you who have taken Research Methods (POGO8096 or POGO8196) and wish to undertake original research in a selected area of policy and governance. You will identify your own research topic in discussion with the course convenor, and thereafter frame appropriate research questions and hypotheses or propositions, adopt appropriate research methodology, develop an analytical framework, conduct necessary detailed research, and write an academic research paper -- with supervision being provided by a member of staff. The completed paper is expected to make a contribution to relevant policy and governance debates, while also adding to the academic literature on policy and governance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the key elements of research in policy and governance, with a keen appreciation of how research and analysis of important issues can inform policy debates and deliberations;
- understand the importance of integrating relevant theory and practice through the development of appropriate analytical frameworks to guide and inform empirical studies;
- understand the importance of systematically researched, evidence-based policy development, implementation and evaluation in governance; and
- understand the way in which the above understandings apply to the policy and governance context addressed by your specific study.
Other Information
Delivery Mode:
On campus. Each student is allocated a supervisor for the duration of the project. Students are required to attend workshops on a weekly basis throughout the semester.
Indicative Assessment
- Assessment (100% of the grade for the course) is based on the satisfactory completion of a 8,000-10,000 word research paper. It will be necessary to make three (ungraded) presentations leading to the completion of the research paper: a proposed topic presentation and two progress presentations. Please see Assessment details on the POGO8035 Wattle site. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
There are approximately 30 contact hours for class sessions, with additional time spent with individual supervisors. Because this is a research project, students will spend most time working independently. The workload is potentially higher than for a normal 6 point course.
Please see class dates and topics, as well as details on project and presentation requirements, on the POGO8035 Wattle site.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Previous Policy and Governance Research Projects are available to read, and a full list of these will be made
available on the POGO8035 Wattle site.
Writing resources – key books are:
Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.C. and Williams, J.M., 2008. The Craft of Research (3rd ed.), University of Chicago Press,
Chicago. This book covers both the logic of research and how to write it well. The fundaments of establishing a
question, argument, the research writing process, and the presentation of your argument are covered in elegant
detail.
Williams and Colomb have also written an excellent guide to English Style: Williams, J.M and Colomb, G.C., 2010.
Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (10th ed.), Longman, Boston.
Swales, J.M. and Feak, C.B., 2000. English in Today’s Research World: A Writing Guide, University of Michigan
Press, Ann Arbor. If you want information and exercises on how English works when writing research, this is a
great resource.
Useful web sites will be listed on the POGO8035 Wattle site as we discuss them in class.
Assumed Knowledge
Distinction or better performance in POGO8096
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | ||||||
| 7540 | 25 Jul 2022 | 01 Aug 2022 | 31 Aug 2022 | 28 Oct 2022 | Online | N/A |