Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

CSC8001 or equivalent

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

1. To prepare the students to undertake a dissertation or research project
2. To appraise the students on relevant research methods appropriate for a Masters dissertation
3. To undertake a substantial literature review in an area of business computing, e-business or information systems.

This module is designed to provide students with the necessary training to undertake advanced level research. The module has two aspects. First, it focuses on the nature of research in the area, examining the study skills necessary to manage and undertake a research project; and secondly, it provides students with opportunities to be familiar with the important empirical and theoretical research. Such skills are intended to provide a good foundation for undertaking a dissertation at an advanced level.

Outline Of Syllabus

* Writing research proposals
* Undertaking literature review
* Qualitative and quantitative research methods
* Online and offline data gathering methods
* Data analysis – tools and techniques
* Writing up

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The ability to describe and discuss the issues related to carrying out research and the methods used to collect data, and how to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and practices related to computing and information systems research.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to gather, synthesise and evaluate information.
The ability to use critical analytical skills to relate theory to practice
The ability to work independently, time manage, show initiative and adaptability.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning.

This is a very practical subject, and it is important that the learning materials are supported by hands-on opportunities provided by coursework.

Students aiming for 1st class marks are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of lecture notes through background reading.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assignment will be the development of a research proposal that includes as a major component a review of the literature. The proposal will demonstrate that the student fully appreciates the research methods to be used for the dissertation/project and all of the issues related to managing the project.

There will be an intermediate deadline from which students will be given formative feedback and the chance to seek individual advice in order to improve their performance prior to the final summative assessment.

General Notes

N/A