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Professional Research Methods unit (KGA703)

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Unit year 2025

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Location: Hobart, Online

Introduction

This unit focuses on learning research methods to solve real problems. You will come to understand how to design research, define an argument in response to the problems, use scholarly databases, consider ethical issues in data collection, generate field data, analyse and present these data, interpret results, and reflect on all these processes and their application to, for example, policy and professional contexts. The unit is a professional pathway in Masters programs in geography, planning, and spatial sciences.

Summary

Unit name Professional Research Methods
Unit code KGA703
Credit points 25
College/School Sciences and Engineering
School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator Doctor Lydia Mackenzie
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 20/7/2025 18/8/2025 7/9/2025 25/10/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • model professional conduct by engaging in mixed methods research design and reporting
  • collect and analyse social data
  • collect, query, and produce spatial information
  • collect and analyse environmental data

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050900 $2,328.00 $2,328.00 not applicable $6,442.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Each week, students must complete a small amount of targeted pre-reading and must attend workshops in Zoom or on the Sandy Bay campus in a room allocated each year - see MyLO. Students must also do work to progress all assessments in a sequenced way, and that sequence will be described to them in Week 1 and again each week. In week 9, students based in Hobart and environs will attend a 6-hour field trip to Mount Nelson. Those remote from Hobart or offshore will be able to conduct their own field work, as covered by a task-based risk assessment.

AssessmentBenchmark exercises (25%)|Environmental methods report (25%)|Social methods report (25%)|Spatial methods report (25%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Please consult the KGA703 reading list in the Library.
Recommended

Please consult the KGA703 reading list in the Library.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.