DISMGT 704 : Research Project

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (45 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Supervised research project addressing a topic relevant to disaster management.

Course Overview

DISMGT 704 is a 45 point research project, and it usually has a course code DISMGT 704A for the first semester and DISMGT 704B for the following second semester. In the first semester, the focus of the research project is on a comprehensive understanding of the body of knowledge associated with the chosen research topic, formulation of research questions, development of research methodology, and the instruments needed to carry out the remaining research work. In the second semester, the research project focuses on the delivery of the research work. 

This course is designed to give students research experience and achieve meeting key learning outcomes. Students are required to conduct research on a topic that involves first-hand data collection and analysis. The research needs to be performed under the supervision of an academic staff and the topic needs to be decided in consultation with the supervisor. The student is expected to meet regularly with the supervisor throughout the course. At the end of the second semester, students are required to submit a research report. This paper is restricted only to students enrolled in the Master of Disaster Management programme.

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in DISMGT 704 A and B, or DISMGT 704

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the body of knowledge relevant for the research topic (Capability 1.1)
  2. Evaluate critically the existing studies in literature (Capability 2.1)
  3. Communicate the research idea via a written research proposal or oral report to supervisor (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  4. Develop research methodology and methods that will address the research questions (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)
  5. Apply research skills appropriately by collecting first-hand data to address the research questions (Capability 5.1)
  6. Analyse research findings in relation to existing body of knowledge (Capability 6.1)
  7. Communicate the research work through rigorous analysis, critical thinking and problem solving (Capability 7.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Research

Workload Expectations

For semester one, the research project part A (DISMGT 704A) is 15 points and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For part A, you can expect 24 hours of reading and thinking about the research topic and 72 hours of work on preparing for data collection, including acquiring the ethics approval if needed, and 24 hours of writing the literature review and research methodology.

For semester two, the research project part B (DISMGT 704B) is 30 points and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week.

For part B, you can expect 48 hours of reading and further developing the research work and 144 hours of work on data collection and analysis, and 48 hours of writing the final report.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including meeting your proposed supervisor.  These meetings may be able to be done online.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

No required text book. Reading materials (journals, conference papers, etc.) on the selected topic are available in the library.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. If the research topic requires the student to undertake a field trip or site visit to construction sites or disaster affected areas for data collection. The health and safety measures will be discussed with the proposed supervisor and put in place before data collection takes place.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

No changes to the course for 2024.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

You are allowed to use ChatGPT (or similar) for guidance, but must be acknowledged. Direct copy-pasting from ChatGPT is not allowed.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.