ITI5125 · IT research methods

Overview

The aim of the unit is to prepare Masters students to conduct research across the range of IT sub-disciplines. It provides broad coverage of the issues, concepts, methods, and techniques associated with Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Information Management research. It introduces you to major research paradigms, the principles of research design, research ethics, and research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to IT research generally and to their sub-discipline specifically. It covers oral, written, online and video research communication skills. Skills developed and knowledge acquired from this unit will prepare you to conduct and communicate your own research, as well as to be knowledgeable and critical interpreters of research more generally.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

100% in-semester assessment You will develop a portfolio of work linked to the workshop. This may include reviews of research literature; qualitative and quantitative method research designs, findings and analyses; research proposals; workshop presentations; presentations of research (oral, written, online and/or video).

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Review and critique research literature (from a wide range of sources), research designs and research findings in a sub-discipline of IT;
2. Communicate research findings orally and in writing, online and using video, in research and industry settings;
3. Explain the ethical and professional issues that may arise in IT research and demonstrate them in practice;
4. Identify and explain major research philosophies and paradigms;
5. Evaluate, select and justify research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to particular research designs and projects in sub-disciplines of IT;
6. Analyse and describe the technical, professional and socio-economic contexts that motivate research, and the implications of research outcomes;
7. Design and carry out a rigorous and ethical research project and produce a report explaining the project, its design and interpretation of the results;
8. Apply research skills to operate effectively as a member of a research project team.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.