Unit name | Research Skills |
---|---|
Unit code | COMSM2202 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Ray |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Computer Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
This unit is designed to introduce the fundamental skills that you will need to embark on your MSc project. Syllabus will include:
Choosing a project: project styles and research methodologies; fitting a project to your own interests, ambitions and capabilities; some characteristics of excellent projects.
Preparing a project synopsis: aims and objectives; deliverables; added value.
Finding relevant literature: available resources and tools; primary and secondary sources; how to make the most of the University Library.
Reading research papers: deciding which papers to read; levels of reading; taking notes, making summaries; collecting bibliographic metadata.
Writing research papers: planning the structure of your paper; framing the question; writing styles; tools and resources; citing and referencing; avoiding plagiarism; proofreading and corrections.
Evaluating project outcomes: critical analysis; scope and limitations; evaluation styles: experimental, analytical, unit-testing, user analysis.
Planning your Summer project: workplan, tasks, milestones and deliverables; how to make a workplan specific to your project; risk analysis and contingency planning; how to leave enough time for writing your report.
Your Research Review will be marked as to whether it satisfies the following criteria:
Although the majority of the time allocated for this unit is intended for independent study and for you to liaise with your project supervisor you must attend the lectures on researching and report writing. These are usually given as a set of lectures during the Spring term. There will be around 10 lectures covering aspects such as:
Group report 20%; Research Proposal 60%; two peer assessments of 10% each
The lecture handouts will contain pointers to relevant literature.