BEHV3004: Advanced Research Methods

Assignment 1: Presentation on cultural and ethical considerations in research instructions

Word/time limit: 3 minutes

Weighting: 15%

Due date: 5pm AEDT Monday 2 March 2026 (Week 5)

Individual/team task: Individual

This assignment is a mandatory submission, which means that in order to pass this subject of study, you must submit this assignment. 

Assignment Overview

To pass this subject of study, you must achieve an aggregated grade of at least 50%. Although this assignment is not a mandatory submission, completing this assignment will give you the best chance of achieving this minimum requirement.

For this assignment, you will submit a 3-minute video presentation on cultural and ethical considerations in research. This must include a video recording of you delivering your presentation with 1-3 slides to support your presentation. You will also need to submit a short reflection based on feedback you will receive from your peers and OLA after submitting your presentation.

This assignment supports Subject Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.

Use of generative artificial intelligence

In this assessment task, you will not be able to meet the learning outcomes related to reflective practice and the development of writing skills by using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Working with another person or technology in order to gain an unfair advantage in assessment or improperly obtaining answers from a third party, including generative AI to questions in an examination or other form of assessment, may lead to sanctions under the Student Misconduct Rule (Western Sydney University, 2023). Use of generative AI tools may be detected. More information is available on the Library web page Generative AI (Library Study Smart, 2023). 

Note: A request must be made within 48 hours of the assignment due date.

Assignment details

This assignment requires you to use Canvas Studio. This is a tool that allows you to upload, create, edit, manage, share and discuss audio and video files—making it an effective online collaboration tool. 

Note: For assistance with using Canvas Studio and a step-by-step guide on how to record and upload your video presentation using Canvas Studio for your assignment refer to 0.3 How to succeed in this subject.

Read through the following steps to understand and meet the requirements of this assignment:

Step 1: Plan your presentation

The first step in completing this assignment is to reflect on your learning and plan what your presentation will include.

This process of reflection and planning has been laid out for you, and it is essential that you follow this guide.

Your presentation must include the following:

▢ Demonstrated understanding of ethical and cultural considerations for research with Indigenous Australians.

▢ Demonstrated understanding of ONE other topic of your choice from the following list:

▢ Effective use of visual aids (1-3 slides must be included).

▢ Clear and engaging delivery (you must include yourself presenting in the video recording).

Step 2: Plan your presentation slides and script

Once you have planned your presentation, it will be time to write your script. Scripting is an essential part of an effective presentation. By writing clear notes about what it is you plan to say, your presentation will have structure and flow, and you will be more likely to remain concise and relevant (reducing your need to re-record and correct errors!). 

You need to include slides to assist in your presentation. There is no word limit for these, although you should ensure that they are clear and enhance your discussion.

Note: Your written script and PowerPoint slides will need to be submitted along with the video component of this assignment. Your written script/PowerPoint slides should include a reference list detailing any academic support you refer to throughout your presentation.

Step 3: Write a reflection based on feedback

Write a reflection on your planned presentation based on feedback from your peers and OLA.

To write your short reflection based on feedback, you will first need to engage in a discussion board activity in Module 4: 4.5 Discussion: Peer feedback for Assignment 1. This discussion will allow you to post your draft presentation and give and receive feedback from your peers in order to reflect on their responses to your draft submission. 

Step 4: Record your presentation

You will now need to present and record the presentation in an engaging and professional manner using visuals as well as a verbal discussion. You may use any platform for your presentation, but tools you are familiar with, like PowerPoint, are recommended. For the video recording, it is recommended that you use Canvas Studio. Note that your final recording does not have to be professionally filmed or edited. 

You should ensure that you express your understanding in a clear and concise manner and use your script to ensure you cover all key areas.

Tips on preparing and recording a professional presentation are provided in 2.4 Skill-building: Professional presentation.

Step 5: Submit your presentation

You will need to submit your presentation, written script, reflection and slides using separate submission points as follows:

▢ Assignment 1: Script, slides and reflection submission point

▢ Assignment 1: Video submission point

Assignment tip

View the marking guide under 'Assignment criteria' to see a detailed breakdown of how your work will be assessed. This is an excellent place to start your preparations for this assignment.

Refer back to the marking guide frequently to make sure you are meeting the requirements.

Supporting documents 

American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style guide (PDF 756 KB)Links to an external site. (Western Sydney University Library, 2020).

Library Study Smart—a library resource that assists you in completing your assignments (Western Sydney University Library, 2023).

Western Sydney University Library has further information about referencing on their Referencing and citation page.

Record a slide show with narration and slide timings (Microsoft, 2019).

Submission details overview

This assignment will be submitted through Canvas.

You will need to submit your video and script using separate submission points as follows:

▢ Assignment 1: Script, slides and reflection submission point

▢ Assignment 1: Video submission point

When you are ready to submit your assignment, select the 'Start Assignment' button at the top of each submission point page. On the presentation submission page, you will be taken to the 'Studio' tab where you can upload a video file or choose an existing video file in your Studio library. On the script submission point page, you will be taken to the 'File Upload' tab where you can choose your file or submit your URL. 

Resubmissions after the due date without prior approval from your Subject Coordinator may not be marked.

Assignment support

In addition to your OLAs who provide discipline-specific content advice, consider using the Assignment Feedback Tool for a final review before you submit. The tool is available 24/7 to help you refine your grammar, referencing, writing style and more.

Assignment criteria

You will be assessed on the following criterion:

▢ Presentation style.

▢ Visual aids.

▢ Ethical and cultural considerations for research with Indigenous Australians.

▢ Ethical and cultural considerations for the chosen research topic.

▢ Reflection on feedback from peers/OLA.

References

iPhoneographers. (2012a, February 22). How to shoot good iPhone video [Online video]. YouTube. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edzWTw0Yp_U

iPhoneographers. (2012b, August 23). The best ways to edit iPhone video [Online video]. YouTube. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjO6sWlMpM8

Microsoft. (2019). Record a slide show with narration and slide timings. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/record-a-slide-show-with-narration-and-slide-timings-0b9502c6-5f6c-40ae-b1e7-e47d8741161c

NUI Galway. (2023). Microsoft video editor. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://tips.nuigalway.ie/m/office365/l/1370693-microsoft-video-edit

Petow, C. (2021). A beginner's guide to getting started in iMovie. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://blog.storyblocks.com/video-tutorials/getting-started-imovie/

Western Sydney University Library. (2020). American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style guide. https://library.westernsydney.edu.au/main/sites/default/files/pdf/cite_APA.pdf

Western Sydney University Library. (2021). Library study smart. https://westernsydney.edu.au/studysmart/home

Library Study Smart. (2023). Generative AI. https://westernsydney.edu.au/studysmart/home/generative_AI

Western Sydney University. (2023). Student Misconduct Rule. https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/student_misconduct_rule