This course is designed to provide students undertaking a masters degree in law with the opportunity to undertake a supervised research project in any area of law not previously studied in their program.
The research project is designed to build upon previous foundational and elective courses and allow students to develop cutting-edge legal research under the supervision of a member of staff.
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Apply advanced specialised knowledge and research skills to undertake an in-depth, critical analysis with respect to the area of law relevant to the topic;
- Identify, analyse and reflect upon a complex body of knowledge in the area of law relevant to the topic;
- Critically reflect upon and synthesise complex information, issues, concepts and theories as they apply in the area of law relevant to the topic chosen;
- Apply advanced knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a researcher.
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc, 4th ed, 2018) available at: http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).
Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties
Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations
Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration
Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties
Distribution of Grades Policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading
Further information about the course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
1 | There are no classes in this course. You should be meeting with your Supervisor on a regular basis. |
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Learning Outcomes |
Graduate Research Paper | 100 % | 31/05/2022 | 1,2,3,4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Graduate Research Paper students are expected to devote, at the very least, the equivalent of half of a normal working week to the research and writing of their research paper. Therefore, it is both necessary and desirable that substantial progress has been made before the commencement of semester. Most students (and academics) find that legal research and writing is much more time-consuming than expected. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students reflect upon their other time commitments and make any changes necessary to accommodate the work required for this course.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Graduate Research Paper
Details of task: Submission of the full and finalised research paper.
Nature of task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.
Value or weighting: 100%
Due date: 1pm, Tuesday 31 May 2022 via Turnitin. Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply. Please be mindful that if you are in your last semester, late submissions will have an impact on your eligibility to graduate on time.
Word limit: Between 12,000 and 16,000 words in length (including footnotes).
Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date. Examiners report/s will be emailed to students by the ANU College of Law Student and Education Services team after this day.
Word Count: The research paper must record the total word count on the cover page of the research paper. It is not necessary to put a word count on each individual page. The electronic copy may be checked for word length compliance.
Method for calculating word count:
- the word count includes headings and footnotes;
- the word count does not include the cover page, table of contents, acknowledgments and bibliography;
- the total word count must be calculated by the student using a word processing program applied to the text (including footnotes) and the total word count for the thesis must be recorded on the cover page of the thesis;
- appendices will be treated as part of the text unless they merely reproduce primary materials for the aid of examiners. It is recommended that appendices are not used for research papers.
Presentation: The text of the research paper must be 12 font and double spaced.
Cover Page: The cover page should include the title of the paper and the author's student number only (Do not include your name). You are permitted – but certainly not required – to add artwork or vary the format of the cover page. A sample cover page is available from the course Wattle site.
Bibliography: You must include a bibliography. A bibliography provides a list of sources or references used in the research for the paper (ie. not just sources used in the text of the paper). In addition, it may be appropriate to include in the 'Introduction' a description of the sources and research methodology (eg "British and Canadian as well as Australian case law was surveyed, as were parliamentary debates and newspaper reports for public discussion of the relevant legislation. Annual reports of the Commission for Legal Research and Writing were a valuable source on implementation of the legislative standards"). The bibliography is not included in the word count.
Assessment Criteria: Examiners are to assess a GRU paper in accordance with the following assessment criteria, in addition to any other comments they may wish to make:
The Quality of Arguments and Reasoning
- clear articulation of the legal issues to be addressed
- coherent and logical construction of legal reasoning
- demonstrated evidence of close consideration of the legal issues and the research materials drawn on
- legal issues raised by the topic are clearly and concisely addressed
- material chosen relates clearly to the topic and is analysed not just summarised or quoted extensively
- well-reasoned conclusion
Depth and Breadth of Research and Range of Research Methods
- in-depth research covering primary and secondary materials
- good organisation of sources and advanced ability to synthesise all the research materials used
- range of research sources
- integration of material from research resources into the construction of own legal analysis
Degree of Difficulty in the Topic and/or Research Methods Used
- amount of relevant literature available for consultation
- innovative nature of the topic or research method chosen
- degree of theoretical consideration required
Degree of Originality of the Paper
- originality of ideas and critical analysis of the material
- complexity and insight in dealing with theory/ideas
- suggestions for change where appropriate
- interdisciplinary perspective where appropriate
- addressing possible counter-arguments.
Structure and Organisation of the Paper
- clear articulation and construction of argument
- arguments logically and well organised
- ideas/paragraphs linked coherently
- good use of structure, section headings and paragraphs.
Use of authorities and referencing
- Appropriate and skilful selection of referencing material to support argument
- complete and accurate footnotes together with a bibliography
- Style consistently adhering to Australian Guide to Legal Citation
Literary Style (Including Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar)
- clarity and conciseness of expression, intellectually stimulating and engaging to reader
- use of appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
- Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.
- Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been given an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time is provided in writing. Please note that the revised due date is calculated by including weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date are penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Your GRU paper will be returned to you via Wattle approximately four weeks after submission.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students