Module Database Search



MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Professional Development and Research Skills
Reference CMM507 Version 9
Created January 2024 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved November 2003 SCQF Points 15
Amended April 2024 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To develop research skills relevant to rapidly evolving scientific disciplines and technologies. To foster an awareness of ethical and legal implications of IT. To develop interpersonal communication skills, written oral and collaborative.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Critically appraise published research.
2 Design experiments and other studies using statistical designs linked to specific methods of analysis.
3 Critically evaluate real situations with respect to legal, ethical, social, professional and sustainability issues.
4 Take responsibility for working effectively as a member of a development team.

Indicative Module Content
Literature search skills; referencing and citations. Academic writing and reading skills. Oral presentations. Critical thinking, peer reviews and balanced reporting. Self-reflection. The scientific method and hypothesis testing. Experimental design, reproducible research, evaluation of research outcomes. Social and ethical implications of IT, copyright, patents, intellectual property rights, contracts, product liability, data protection. Effective groups. Project planning and management skills. Development lifecycle, tools and techniques.

Module Delivery
The course content is delivered by a combination of lectures and interactive lab sessions, and is based on extensive use of case studies.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 30 30
Non-Contact Hours 120 120
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: This is a group coursework. For a chosen topic, students will undertake a critical appraisal of selected published research; consider legal, ethical, social and professional issues; develop a research proposal; devise a project plan, design an experiment and use statistical techniques to undertake analysis and evaluation.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The coursework pass grade is D.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A To achieve an A, the student must achieve an A in Component 1.
B To achieve a B, the student must achieve a B in Component 1.
C To achieve a C, the student must achieve a C in Component 1.
D To achieve a D, the student must achieve a D in Component 1.
E To achieve an E, the student must achieve an E in Component 1.
F To achieve an F, the student must achieve an F in Component 1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BAINBRIDGE, D., 2008. Introduction to Information Technology Law, Pearson.
2 BELL, J., 2014. Doing Your research Project. Open University Press.
3 BOWDEN, J., 2011. Writing a report: How to prepare, write and present really effective reports. How To Books Ltd.
4 BLAIR, L., 2016. Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation. Sense Publishers.
5 CRESWELL, J.W. , 2014. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
6 MADSEN, B., 2016, Statistics for non-statisticians. Springer.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781