Critical Thought and Research Design
PostgraduateMAQ-PICX80122025
Previously MAQ-PICX812
Hone your reading, writing and analytical skills. Select key sources and investigate their worth using established methodologies. Sharpen your ability to logically break down evidence. Apply what you’ve learnt and develop a strategic research design.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025,
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $4,155
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Critical Thought and Research Design
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the theoretical approaches that frame the field of Security Studies and Criminology, including the relationship to their historical context.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills through the understanding and questioning of key concepts, issues and debates.
- Demonstrate understanding of both the assumptions that underpin key theories, and the methods used for research and investigation.
- Demonstrate critical communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics will be provided in the study materials.
The subject was previously know as PICX812 Critical Thought and Research Design
This subject is a graduate seminar that provides training for student proficiency in critical thinking and research design. The degree content utilises inter-disciplinary approaches and methods for the social sciences. Students will practice advanced reading and writing skills, examine the logic of inquiry, investigate methodologies and theoretical approaches, and evaluate diverse sources. Students will then progress to applying their advanced research skills through critical thinking and problem-solving. They will examine what are concepts and measures, how to understand causation and correlation, as well as use and apply qualitative, quantitative and multi-methods research. Students will be assessed based on their application of skills to practice, both in formulating research design and presenting their research for broader consumption.
- Pitch (30%)
- Quiz (30%)
- Research design (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- MAQ-MCT-MAS-2025 - Master of Counter Terrorism
- MAQ-CYB-MAS-2025 - Master of Cyber Security Analysis
- MAQ-CRM-MAS-2025 - Master of Criminology
- MAQ-INT-MAS-2025 - Master of Intelligence
- MAQ-SEC-MAS-2025 - Master of Security and Strategic Studies
- MAQ-SSC-GCE-2025 - Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PICX812 (Not currently available)
Others
Admission to MSecStragegicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MIntPubDip or MPICT or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICT or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or 10cps at 6000 level or 10cps 8000 level
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PICT812, PICX812
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Broadband access Note: Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
PostgraduateMAQ-MCT-MAS
Master of Cyber Security Analysis
PostgraduateMAQ-CYB-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-CRM-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-INT-MAS
Master of Security and Strategic Studies
PostgraduateMAQ-SEC-MAS
Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology
PostgraduateMAQ-SSC-GCE