Unit information: Research Skills in 2018/19

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

Description including Unit Aims

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Your Research Review will be marked as to whether it satisfies the following criteria:

• You should demonstrate that you understand the aims and objectives of your Individual Project.
• You should show an ability to research and collate information.
• You should show an ability to digest and critique existing literature.
• You should clearly explain where or why your Individual Project will add value.
• You should demonstrate an ability to structure and write a comprehensive scientific report.

Teaching Information

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:

• Types and styles of projects. What makes a good project?
• How to write.
• How to use references.
• How your final thesis should be structured and presented.
• How to avoid plagiarism.
• Evaluation and metrics and how to measure performance

Assessment Information

Group report 20%; Research Proposal 60%; two peer assessments of 10% each

Reading and References

The lecture handouts will contain pointers to relevant literature.