Module Descriptors
RESEARCH METHODS AND PROPOSAL (E-LEARNING)
COIS70726
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 7
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Wilfred Eardley
Email: W.A.Eardley@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 0
Independent Study Hours: 150
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- COURSEWORK weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Learning Strategies
Students will have attended an induction workshop where they will learn how to use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) employed for the study of this module. Subsequently students will work through the module material provided on the VLE at a pace suggested within the VLE for the module. The material will include activities and review questions that allow students to assimilate the concepts and skills required by the module. Students will be encouraged to discuss relevant aspects within discussion forums that are part of the VLE. The forums will allow discussion with a student's peer group as well as the module tutor.
Module Additional Assessment Details
100% coursework including a number of deliverables (Learning outcomes 1-4):
- Personal presentation skills.
- An abstract of proposed dissertation project which outlines the topic of research, preliminary research problems, aims/objectives and deliverable (guide 2-3 pages).
- Dissertation project proposal, which states research programme and reflects the understanding of the research problem in its context and methods adopted in the project (guide 5-6 pages).
- Presentation of the proposed research area. (15-20 minutes).
- A review paper of literature and background investigation of the research project (guide 6-8 pages).
All coursework components submitted as a single submission.
- Personal presentation skills.
- An abstract of proposed dissertation project which outlines the topic of research, preliminary research problems, aims/objectives and deliverable (guide 2-3 pages).
- Dissertation project proposal, which states research programme and reflects the understanding of the research problem in its context and methods adopted in the project (guide 5-6 pages).
- Presentation of the proposed research area. (15-20 minutes).
- A review paper of literature and background investigation of the research project (guide 6-8 pages).
All coursework components submitted as a single submission.
Module Indicative Content
Transferable skills that will assist the student in their future careers and for further postgraduate study. These include developing skills to enable individuals to sell themselves through the development of personal presentation skills, conducting interviews to assist in research and producing technical reports.
Methods and skills of literature research, gathering of data from a range of sources, selecting and using appropriate technologies available (e.g. library, digital library, Internet facilities and other sources).
The professional issues ever present in the environment, including health and safety, standards, ethical and social issues, professional bodies.
Techniques required to analyse data and to present the results in a suitable format.
Refined skills in project planning, organisation of study materials, presentation and dissemination of research, research proposal specification, techniques of research report writing.
Research proposal specification, regulations and supervisors role. A student will demonstrate a wide range of professional and IT skills such as producing technical documents, research papers and project proposals and plans.
Methods and skills of literature research, gathering of data from a range of sources, selecting and using appropriate technologies available (e.g. library, digital library, Internet facilities and other sources).
The professional issues ever present in the environment, including health and safety, standards, ethical and social issues, professional bodies.
Techniques required to analyse data and to present the results in a suitable format.
Refined skills in project planning, organisation of study materials, presentation and dissemination of research, research proposal specification, techniques of research report writing.
Research proposal specification, regulations and supervisors role. A student will demonstrate a wide range of professional and IT skills such as producing technical documents, research papers and project proposals and plans.
Module Texts
Marshall & Rossman (1999) Designing Qualitative Research, Sage, Third Edition, ISBN: 0761913408
Sharp & Howard, (1996) The Management of a Student Research Project (2 ed), Aldershot Gower, ISBN: 056607706X
Oliver, P. (1997) Research, Teach Yourself Books, NTC Publishing Group, ISBN: 0844200158
Sharp & Howard, (1996) The Management of a Student Research Project (2 ed), Aldershot Gower, ISBN: 056607706X
Oliver, P. (1997) Research, Teach Yourself Books, NTC Publishing Group, ISBN: 0844200158
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None.
Module Resources
Material on Blackboard.
PC with Office
A statistical package, such as SPSS or Microsoft Excel
Access to the Internet
Library
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying mobile computing. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Daatabase all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.
PC with Office
A statistical package, such as SPSS or Microsoft Excel
Access to the Internet
Library
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying mobile computing. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Daatabase all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.