Research Design and Writing in International, Political, and Strategic Studies

This is a Higher Degree by Research training course in research design and writing in the social sciences. It is designed as an introduction to the HDR programs in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and is required for all HDR students across the school. It is held in the autumn session of each year, to allow students newly enrolling at the beginning of the year to participate. Students enrolling in second semester will take the course in the autumn session of the following year. Presenters in each of the classes come from across the constituent units of the Bell School. Through the course, students will be introduced to the practical requirements of the School's HDR programs. They will acquire the basic skills and understanding necessary for designing and undertaking a research project in international, political, and strategic studies. They will learn to communicate their research plans in both oral and written forms. Students will develop cognitive and communicative skills and independent thinking that will enable them to critique and debate research theories and ideas. Finally, these students will be introduced to a range of disciplinary approaches in international, political, and strategic studies. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. To pass, a student must: Participate in 9 out of 12 weeks' sessions (LOs 1, 3, 7) Participate in a half-day writing retreat run by the Academic Skills and Learning Centre Complete Research Integrity training online (LO 6) Pass each of the assessment items outlined in ‘assessment rationale’ and receive an average grade of 60% across all items (LOs 2-5)