Research Methods

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

Completion of 50 points of third year computing study or equivalent or enrolment in a Masters degree

None

None

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The aim of scientific research is to produce new knowledge. To be useful, new knowledge must be able to stand up to critical scrutiny, and its presentation to other researchers and/or to the public must be persuasive.
This subject is an introduction to the processes of science as they apply to computing and related disciplines, including designing experiments, locating relevant literature, writing papers, giving presentations and refereeing.
Underlying all of these, the subject will foster the development of critical thinking, a skeptical, scientific perspective, and scientific ethics.This subject will be particularly useful for students contemplating undertaking a research degree, or for students currently enrolled in a research degree (MPhil or PhD).

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Explain the principles of scientific research
• Describe the roles of rigour and skepticism in producing results of high impact
• Explain the ethical guidelines governing academic research
• Demonstrate knowledge of and experience in research planning, analysis of research, experimental method and written and spoken communication

• A 1500 word literature review on a chosen research topic (30%) [addressing ILO 2 and ILO 4], first draft due in approximately week 5 and second draft due in approximately week 8

• A 10 minute presentation on a research topic (20%) [addressing ILO 1 and ILO 4], to be delivered in approximately week 12

• A 1000 word research plan, focusing on research questions with justifications and discussion of plausible outcomes (20%) [addressing ILO 1 and ILO 3 and ILO 4], due in approximately week 10

• An 1000 word experimental design to test a hypothesis (10%) [addressing ILO 2 and ILO 3 and ILO 4], due in approximately week 12

• A 1500 word research paper review (20%) [addressing ILO 2 and ILO 4], due in approximately week 7

To pass the subject, students must obtain at least 50% overall.

Zobel, Justin, Writing for Computer Science, second edition, Springer

Evans, Gruba, Zobel, How to Write a Better Thesis, third edition, Melbourne University Press, 2011

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should have the:

• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• Ability to manage information and documentation
• Capacity for creativity and innovation
• Ability to communicate effectively both with the engineering team and the community at large