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Graduate Certificate in Industrial Relations Guide: Get started

This Graduate Certificate in Industrial Relations course guide is designed to support your research for subjects INR501, INR502, INR517 and INR503.

Understand your task or research project

The first thing is to make sure you clearly understand your task and what topic you are seeking information for; this is called topic analysis.

Start with your Subject Outline. Carefully review:

  • The task description
  • The rationale
  • The marking rubric

These will highlight key concepts you need to cover and the types of sources to use.

What information do you need?

Consider the type of information you need, such as definitions, background info, statistics, government reports, case studies, community perspectives or academic research. Also check if your assessment specifies certain types of sources, like scholarly articles, media items, or primary/secondary sources.

Across your assessment tasks you have been asked to:

  • utilise subject materials and conduct your own independent research.
  • draw on broad range of academic and reputable professional sources to demonstrate your understanding and support the evidence and recommendations you present.
  • integrate multiple perspectives.

Keywords and limitations

With an understanding of your task you then need to plan how you will search for information. This starts with identifying and brainstorming keywords.

Keywords Synonyms or related terms
hybrid work flexible, remote, workers, workplaces, work arrangements, co-located
modern slavery exploitative practice, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour
conflict resolution dispute resolution, settlement
employee voice participation, decision making, consultation, feedback, employee communication, survey

Also consider if there are any limitations that focus your research, such as date range or geography.

Instruction words research, report, describe, explain, compare, suggest, recommend
Limiters location, dates, peer-reviewed sources

For additional guidance in topic analysis:

Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.Acknowledgement of Country

Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.