Course Title: Research Methods
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Research Methods
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
COSC2148 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
140H Computer Science & Information Technology |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016 |
COSC2148 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021 |
COSC2148 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
175H Computing Technologies |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024 |
COSC2149 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
140H Computer Science & Information Technology |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016 |
COSC2149 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021 |
COSC2149 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
175H Computing Technologies |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024 |
COSC2150 |
City Campus |
Research |
140H Computer Science & Information Technology |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013 |
COSC2991 |
RMIT University Vietnam |
Postgraduate |
175H Computing Technologies |
Face-to-Face |
Viet2 2023 |
Course Coordinator: Professor Zahir Tari
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3782
Course Coordinator Email: zahir.tari@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: -
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
You must not enrol in this course unless it is explicitly listed on your Enrolment Program Structure.
Course Description
This course introduces you to the process and practice of research in computer science.
You will work with your research supervisor to develop a research proposal, and acquire a skill set in research methodologies needed to conduct a research project in computer science. You will also participate in and contribute to a research community -- your classmates and their research supervisors -- and learn about different ways of thinking about research.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes:
- PLO 1: Enabling Knowledge - Apply a broad and coherent set of knowledge and skills for developing user-centric computing solutions for contemporary societal challenges.
- PLO 2: Critical Analysis - You will learn to accurately and objectively examine, and critically investigate computer science and information technology (IT) concepts, evidence, theories or situations, in particular to: Analyse and model complex requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing software artefacts and IT systems; Evaluate and compare designs of software artefacts and IT systems on the basis of organisational and user requirements
- PLO 3: Problem Solving - Apply systematic problem solving and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement computing solutions to real world problems, demonstrating the ability to work independently to self-manage processes and projects.
- PLO 4: Communication - Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods in interactions.to both computing and non-computing personnel.
- PLO 7: Research and Scholarship - You will have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship, specifically you will have cognitive skills to: Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship; Plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply the concepts and skills required for the process and practice of research in computer science effectively to new situations.
- Examine and consider accurately and objectively an IT or computer science topic, evidence, or situation, specifically to critically evaluate research literature.
- Analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions, specifically to analyse research problem to define suitable research questions and devise a plan to answer these questions.
- Identify appropriate research methodologies used in computer science and/or IT
- Determine evaluation metrics for the success of the project.
- Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media, specifically, write reports and make presentations as suitable for a general computer science audience.
Overview of Learning Activities
The learning activities in this course include:
- Lectures presenting key concepts, illustrated with demonstrations and examples
- Meetings with your research supervisor, to discuss issues related to application of research method knowledge in the development of an example research proposal
- Directed reading and analysis of topics related to the lectures
- Tutorials involving group discussions based on analysis of research literature pre-reading
- Presentation of research concepts, critically evaluate other’s presentations and receive feedback on own presentation.
Total Study Hours
A total of 120 hours of study is expected during this course, comprising:
Teacher-directed hours (24 hours): lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions. Each week there will be 2 hours of lecture and tutorial plus 2 hours of computer laboratory work. You are encouraged to participate during lectures through asking questions, commenting on the lecture material based on your own experiences and by presenting solutions to written exercises. The tutorial / laboratory sessions will introduce you to the tools necessary to undertake the assignment work.
Student-directed hours (96 hours): You are expected to be self-directed, studying independently outside class (84h), as well regularly meeting your supervisors (12h)
Overview of Learning Resources
The course is supported by the Canvas learning management system which provides specific learning resources. See the RMIT Library Guide at http://rmit.libguides.com/compsci
Overview of Assessment
Assessment consists of written reports, iterative research proposal development, oral presentations and other structured activities.
Your written reports will be based on regular reading and analysis of a variety of topics concerning how to conduct quality research in computer science. You will also devise a preliminary research proposal (based on your problem analysis and proposed solutions), followed by development into a final proposal. You will be assessed through as oral presentations and group discussion.
This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment tasks
Assessment 1: Thesis title, supervisor and list of papers
Weighting 5%;
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2
Assessment 2: First draft research proposal
Weighting 20%;
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3
Assessment 3: Final research proposal
Weighting 50%;
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4, 5
Assessment 4: Presentation
Weighting 25%;
This assessment task supports CLO 6