PACIFIC 714 : Pacific Research Methodologies and Practices

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Analyses critical approaches to Pacific research development and evaluation of research design in Pacific Studies. Focuses on analytical engagement with a range of Pacific methodologies and methods in Pacific research. Includes application of theory to research questions and development of proposals for research that draw on Pacific world views and form a basis for robust, innovative and significant research contributions.

Course Overview

This course will provide a platform for analysis and critical discussion on Pacific research methodologies and methods. It will analyse the framework for developing Pacific research methodologies and the dynamics in applying these methodologies to research projects. Methodologies that will be discussed include, but not limited to: Talanoa; Kakala; ‘Iluvatu; Aua’i i le Galuega; Fa’afaletui; Lalanga; Kaupapa Māori research.
Students in this course will discuss the application of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and the engagement of Pacific communities in research projects. They will discuss the ethical considerations around conducting research alongside Pacific communities, and the different aspects of navigating researching within these spaces.
Significant discussion will focus on insider/outsider research dynamics and researcher positionality, involving reflective exercises that encourage students to confront who they are within the research processes.
This course will discuss practical application of Pacific research methodologies and expose students to different skills required for Postgraduate research, such as: archival research; application of technology for research; data analysis; and study design.

Course Requirements

Restriction: PACIFIC 702, 709

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply Pacific focused methodologies, epistemologies; initiatives, theories and models to Pacific research (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Identify the complexities, uniqueness, diversities, strengths and challenges in conducting Pacific research and providing a detailed account and critical overview around these (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Analyse effective, relevant and culturally appropriate ways of working with Pacific communities in research (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Reflect on the role of the researcher and researcher positionality (Capability 1.3, 2.3 and 5.2)
  5. Design and construct a research project (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reflection 20% Individual Coursework
Research 20% Individual Coursework
Research 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework

Next offered

Semester 2, 2020

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect one 3 hour seminar and 5 approximately hours of reading per week, plus thinking about the content and work on assignments throughout the semester.

Digital 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.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Pacific Studies has a late submission and extension policy that will be available on Canvas. 

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 at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

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.

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.

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.

Published on 20/12/2019 03:01 p.m.