RESE451 (2024) - Research methods for RE systems (theory)

Prescription

This course covers the theory and practice of undertaking research. The nature and process of quantitative and qualitative research approaches are explored to enable students to formulate and conduct a research effort to find answers to specific problems related to renewable energy. Topics that will be covered include: the aims of research; the research topic, project title, and research problem; literature review types; population and sampling types; types of quantitative and qualitative research designs; data-collecting methods and measuring instruments in quantitative and qualitative research; data analysis and interpretation of results; and validity of conclusions.

Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Apply quantitative research methods with appropriate analytical techniques.
2. Apply qualitative research methods with appropriate analytical techniques.
3. Formulate a research rationale, and objective, for renewable energy specific problems.
4. Develop appropriate research strategies for the renewable energy specific problems.

Course content

We’ve designed this course for in-person study, and to get the most of out it we strongly recommend you attend lectures on campus. Most assessment items, as well as tutorials/seminars/labs/workshops will only be available in person. Any exceptions for in-person attendance for assessment will be looked at on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances, e.g., through disability services or by approval by the course coordinator.
 
If you started your programme of study remotely and can only study remotely, please contact the School so we can help and confirm what courses are available.

Withdrawal from Course

Withdrawal dates and process:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/course-additions-withdrawals

Lecturers

Teaching Format

Weekly lectures, and individual assignments. A comprehensive research proposal will be developed.

Dates (trimester, teaching & break dates)

• Teaching: 26 February 2024 - 31 May 2024
• Break: 01 April 2024 - 14 April 2024
• Study period: 03 June 2024 - 06 June 2024
• Exam period: 07 June 2024 - 22 June 2024

Other Classes

Additional resources, to support lectures, will be provided on Nuku.

Set Texts and Recommended Readings

Required

Compulsory reading material is provided via Nuku.

Mandatory Course Requirements

In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:

• Achieve 40% for the research proposal.

If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the Course Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.

Assessment

The assessment comprises of two individual assignments, and a comprehensive research proposal.

Assessment Item	Due Date or Test Date	CLO(s)	Percentage
Report on an individual analysis using quantitative methods (2000 words)		CLO: 1	25%
Report on an individual analysis using qualitative methods (2000 words)		CLO: 2	25%
Comprehensive research proposal (6000 words)		CLO: 3,4	50%

Penalties

Work submitted late will be subject to a penalty of 10% of the total mark per day.

Extensions

Individual extensions will only be granted in exceptional personal circumstances, and should be negotiated with the course coordinator before the deadline whenever possible. Documentation (eg, medical certificate) may be requested.

Submission & Return

All work must be submitted through the Nuku submission system. Marks and comments will also be returned through the Nuku marking system.

Workload

Although the workload varies from week to week, students should expect to spend approximately 10 hours per week on the course, to give a total of 150 hours study time.

Teaching Plan

A detailed teaching plan is provided on commencement of the course via Nuku.

Communication of Additional Information

All online material for this course will be made available via Nuku, which will also be used to facilitate discussions every week.

Links to General Course Information

• Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/exams/academic-integrity
• Academic Progress: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/progress/academic-progess (including restrictions and non-engagement)
• Dates and deadlines: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/dates
• Grades: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/progress/grades
• Special passes: Refer to the Assessment Handbook, at https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/documents/policy/staff-policy/assessment-handbook.pdf
• Statutes and policies, e.g. Student Conduct Statute: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/strategy
• Student support: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/support
• Students with disabilities: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/st_services/disability/
• Student Charter: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/learning-teaching/learning-partnerships/student-charter
• Student Feedback on University courses may be found at: http://www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/feedback/feedback_display.php
• Terms and Conditions: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/study/apply-enrol/terms-conditions/student-contract
• Turnitin: http://www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/wiki/index.php/Turnitin
• University structure: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/structure
• The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy:
  Victoria University values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
  He mea nui te reo Māori ki te Whare Wānanga o te Ūpoko o te Ika. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
• VUWSA: http://www.vuwsa.org.nz

Offering CRN: 35098

Points: 15
Corequisites: one of (RESE 421, 431, 412)
Duration: 26 February 2024 - 23 June 2024
Starts: Trimester 1
Campus: Kelburn