Postgraduate Courses > Postgrad > Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

Postgrad

> Postgrad
> Postgrad Courses

Print or email this page:

Minor Thesis

Unit Code: HES7606

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

One semester

Equivalent to 12 contact hours per week

87.5 credit points

Enrolment with the approval of Convenor

HES7605 Research Design and Methodology recommended

HES7605 Research Design and Methodology

Credit Points: 37.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Master of Aviation (Human Factors) and Master of Aviation (Management)

Aims & Objectives:

The aim of the minor thesis is to enable students to undertake a research intensive study of considerable standing. It provides students with the opportunity to consolidate critical thinking and analysis skills developed throughout the program and extend the body of knowledge by means of focused research. The minor thesis is a substantial piece of work that is academically rigorous and challenging, and demonstrates and advanced comprehension of a field of study. The word length is to be between 25,000 and 30,000 words. In applying theoretical concepts to a real-world environment students have the opportunity to examine specific industry issues with outcomes likely to be of significant benefit in the workplace. The minor thesis further develops skills introduced in the unit HES7605 Research Design and Methodology.

After successfully completing this unit students should be able to:

Identify an area of interest that enables an in-depth research to be conducted
Construct a proposal statement that explains the purpose and some background in relation to the area of research in the minor thesis
Write an Ethics application (if appropriate) that enables the collection of data within the University ethics guidelines
Conduct a review of literature appropriate to the topic area of the minor thesis
Collect data and demonstrate meaningful analysis and interpretation of the data collected
Prepare and submit a minor thesis that demonstrates the achievement of in-depth research in an area of study

Teaching Methods:

Distance education with an expectation of fortnightly contact with the student's supervisor by electronic or direct means.

Assessment:

Formative assessment and feedback for this unit is based upon the completion of successive stages of the project as follows:

A written proposal statement and defence of the project research plan (10%)
A written progress report reflecting substantial work toward the literature review and compliance with University ethics requirements (if appropriate). The literature review should be approximately 5,000 words (20%)
Completion of the minor thesis (70%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Analysis skills
Problem solving skills
Communication skills
Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
Ability to work independently

Content:

Students are expected to suggest their own topic based on individual interest, or arising out of their prior or current employment.

Students are expected to carry out the minor thesis utilizing the methods and procedures developed in the unit HES7605 - Research Design and Methodology to conduct a literature review, investigate probable solutions, prepare designs if applicable, analyse and, where appropriate, implement and test hypotheses, design processes and develop outcomes.

The project may by university-based or industry-based. It may take various forms in which technology, research and development, experimental work, computer analysis, industry liaison and business acumen vary in relative significance. In all cases the topic for the minor thesis must be approved by the Convenor. Swinburne will allocate an academic supervisor and, subject to the nature of the minor thesis, may require students to nominate an industry supervisor in addition.

Textbooks:

Bouma, GD & Ling, R (2004), The Research Process, 5th Ed, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.