University of Technology Sydney

15611 Local Government Research Project

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Institute for Public Policy and Governance
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): ((15604 Local Government Principles and Practice OR 49460 Local Government Management Principles and Practice 1) AND (15608 Organising and Managing in Local Government OR 49277 Corporate Planning and Management) AND 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): CBK90633 30cp Options GDLGM)
Anti-requisite(s): 49454 Managing Local Enterprise

Description

This is the capstone subject for the Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management (C06033). It can also be taken as an elective subject in the Master of Local Government (C04257). Students undertake a process of original applied research, addressing a topic that is relevant to local government practice, and produce a research report which presents the study in full. They link their work to current literature on the topic, including readings derived from any of the subjects in the foundation and elective subjects they have undertaken. In this process, they work together with a supervisor, who supports them in carrying out the reading, research and writing necessary to complete the research report.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Formulate, design and carry out original applied research in a local government context.
2. Examine, prioritise and synthesie current literature pertaining to the chosen topic.
3. Select, interpret and extend insights from research literature to inform their research design and methodology.
4. Draw out implications from their research findings for current and future local government practice.
5. Put forward innovative and pragmatic recommendations for change, drawing on the findings of their research study.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Consider organisational and policy issues with an attitude that is open, ethical and fosters cultural competence across diversity (A.1)
  • Review evidence-based solutions to complex issues facing local government (I.2)
  • Apply principles of local government and intergovernmental relations to a range of policy fields and sites (P.1)
  • Identify, interpret and assess different evidence required in local government decision-making (R.2)
  • Apply theoretical perspectives to investigate policy and organisational design issues and solutions in specific institutional contexts (R.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is undertaken as a scholarly, research-based and supervised project with the following phases and associated pedagogical approaches:

Research Proposal

Students define and shape their topic and research design and methodology in consultation with the subject coordinator. This is put forward as a draft Research Proposal.

Teaching/learning mode

Students are guided in the protocols, objectives, processes and intended outcomes of research. At all phases of the project, beginning with the Research Proposal, students are supported to read widely and to incorporate literature into their writing in a scholarly way.

Introductory Scoping and Strategising

The objectives, process, outcomes and assessment criteria of the subject are discussed in full with the Subject Coordinator and/or an identified member of UTS Staff. This signifies the beginning of a supervision/mentoring relationship with a staff member.

Ethics application and approval

Gaining skills in the ethical conduct of research, students apply for ethics approval for their proposed studies and, once given the go-ahead, present the final Research Proposal, based on feedback, reflection and application of research design principles and practices.

Teaching/learning mode

Teaching/learning with respect to the protocols and processes of the ethical conduct of research.

Data gathering and analysis

Students embark on their research field work, discussing their progress at various agreed milestones with their allocated research supervisor.

Teaching/learning mode

Mentoring and supervision.

Drafting, editing and revising

Students submit a draft of their research report for marking and feedback.

Teaching/learning mode

Undertaken as a formative assessment task, the emphasis is on providing students with specific feedback that will enable them to improve the quality of their research report, and also to deal with scope and timing issues.

Dissertation

Students make use of the feedback provided to revise their work, complete any research and writing tasks that are still required, and present their final research report (dissertation) for grading.

Teaching/learning mode

Marking and feedback.

Conclusion of supervisor-supervisee relationship.

Throughout this process, students make use of Canvas to communicate with the subject coordinator, discuss their ideas, plans and successes and setbacks with their peers via the ‘discussion board’, share readings with each other and submit their draft and final dissertations.

Content (topics)

This is a capstone subject, and it is focused on enabling students to engage in original and applied research in a local government context and present their work in the form of a research report of between 10,000 and 12,000 words. In addition, they have the opportunity to work with an academic supervisor, and learn about the research and writing process, including completing a research ethics approval process. The content of the teaching/learning is geared towards enabling them to achieve these overall objectives, while the specific, substantive content that the student focuses upon is, aside from a necessary focus on local government, determined by the topic of their choice.

In supporting students to undertake research, and thereby gain the skills and confidence to add research to their professional competencies, students are provided in the Introductory Seminar with guidance that links their research activities clearly to the course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) and through them to the Graduate Attributes.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Report - draft

Intent:

Draft dissertation: This subject enables students to gain knowledge, confidence and skills in the carrying out of research, which importantly also includes the writing up of the research report. For this assessment, students complete a substantially advanced draft of their dissertation, upon which they receive clear and formative feedback.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, I.2, P.1, R.2 and R.3

Type: Thesis
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria:
  • Identify, interpret and assess different evidence required in local government decision-making--there is evidence of original, applied and ethically sound research being undertaken. The draft dissertation includes a clear rationale for the study, the formulation of research question(s) and a draft literature review. A description of the methodology and findings is presented as fully as possible, depending on the progress of the study. The student demonstrates skill in structuring complex information, arguments and ideas in written form, as evidenced through the structuring of the draft text and its readability.
  • Conduct independent applied research to develop a deep understanding of complex policy problems and innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions pertaining to government and its stakeholders-the student demonstrates an appropriate scholarly approach to their work. This includes identifying and analysing reference material from a wide range of sources, consistent and accurate in-text referencing, and the compilation of an accurate reference list.
  • There is evidence of original, applied research being undertaken. The draft dissertation includes a clear rationale for the study, the formulation of research question(s) and a draft literature review. A description of the methodology and findings is presented as fully as possible, depending on the progress of the study.
  • Develop critically informed and innovative approaches to understanding local government and intergovernmental issues in domestic and international contexts--the research is underpinned with local government principles and practices (e.g. governance, localism, intergovernmental relations, engaging communities, local government reform) as appropriate to the topic. This is made explicit, for example, in the rationale put forward for carrying out the study, or the implications of the study for improved local government practice.
  • Apply and lead creative, evidence-based approaches to complex, real-world issues in local government and related organisations--through the drafting of the research report, the student demonstrates the ability to contribute new knowledge that would advance practice in the area of interest. There is evidence in draft form of putting forward innovative solutions to local government practice that draw on the findings generated through the conduct of the research study and through links made to the literature on the topic.

TOTAL 100% (contributing 40% of the total marks for the subject)
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
This is a key learning outcome. Students use and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and values they have developed over the course of their studies through addressing an issue or problem that is relevant to their work and to the work of their council. 20 1 R.2
In light of research protocols, ethics, design and methodology, students are encouraged and supported to develop and demonstrate an appropriate scholarly approach to their work 20 2 R.3
Organisational and policy issues in local government can be better understood and addressed with the support of applied research. A solid ethical basis underpins research involving humans. 20 3 A.1
Local Government Research Project is an elective subject and provides foundation concepts and theories within which to strategize local government research, irrespective of topic. 20 4 P.1
Students are encouraged and challenged to adopt innovative and evidence-based approaches to local government practice and to see the value of expressing this innovation through the rigour of research. 20 5 I.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Research Report - final

Intent:

Students complete any outstanding work that is required for their research project as well as responding to the feedback provided on Assessment 1 (draft of the research report). On this basis, they submit their final dissertation, which provides documented evidence of the original, applied research that they have undertaken.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, I.2, P.1, R.2 and R.3

Type: Thesis
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 60%
Criteria:
  • Identify, interpret and assess different evidence required in local government decision-making--the report describes original, applied and ethically sound research. It includes a clear rationale for the study, the formulation of research question(s), a review of the literature, and a description of the research design and methodology, findings and implications of those findings. The student demonstrates skill in structuring complex information, arguments and ideas in written form, as evidenced through the structuring of the text and its readability.
  • Conduct independent applied research to develop a deep understanding of complex policy problems and innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions pertaining to government and its stakeholders--the student demonstrates an appropriate scholarly approach to their work. This includes identifying and analysing reference material from a wide range of sources, consistent and accurate in-text referencing, and the compilation of an accurate reference list.
  • Address issues in local government and intergovernmental organisations with an attitude that is open, ethical and empathetic--the research is relevant to the practice of local government, and is informed by public service principles. These principles, including consideration of diversity – and, where relevant, Indigenous perspectives – are explicitly and consistently applied through the conduct of the original research described in the report.
  • Develop critically informed and innovative approaches to understanding local government and intergovernmental issues in domestic and international contexts--the research is underpinned with local government principles and practices (e.g. governance, localism, intergovernmental relations, engaging communities, local government reform) as appropriate to the topic. This is made explicit, for example, in the rationale put forward for carrying out the study, or the implications of the study for improved local government practice.
  • Apply and lead creative, evidence-based approaches to complex, real world issues in local government and related organisations--the student demonstrates the ability to contribute new knowledge that would advance practice in the area of interest. There is evidence of putting forward innovative solutions to local government practice that draw on the findings generated through the conduct of the research study and through links made to the literature on the topic.

Total 100% (contributing 60% of the total marks for the subject)

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
The dissertation describes original, applied and ethically sound research. It includes a clear rationale for the study, the formulation of research question(s), a review of the literature, and a description of the research design and methodology, findings and implications of those findings. 30 1 R.2
The student demonstrates an appropriate scholarly approach to their work. This includes identifying and analysing reference material from a wide range of sources, consistent and accurate in-text referencing, and the compilation of an accurate reference list. 20 2 R.3
The research is relevant to the practice of local government, and is informed by public service principles. These principles, including consideration of diversity � and, where relevant, Indigenous perspectives � are explicitly and consistently applied through the conduct of the original research described in the report. 10 3 A.1
The research is underpinned with local government principles and practices (e.g. governance, localism, intergovernmental relations, engaging communities, local government reform) as appropriate to the topic. This is made explicit, for example, in the rationale put forward for carrying out the study, or the implications of the study for improved local government practice. 20 4 P.1
The student demonstrates the ability to contribute new knowledge that would advance practice in the area of interest. 20 5 I.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Students must meet attendance requirements and overall must obtain at least 50% of the total marks.