Module Database Search



MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Research Methods
Reference CMM708 Version 2
Created March 2017 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved May 2016 SCQF Points 15
Amended April 2017 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To develop skills needed to undertake independent research in a rapidly evolving technological discipline with awareness of the legal, ethical, social and professional context. To enhance and develop transferable skills.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Undertake a literature search, identifying various information resources (online and offline) and access these in order to obtain relevant and up-to-date information on a topic of specialist interest.
2 Participate within the professional, legal and ethical framework within which they would be expected to operate as professionals within the IT industry.
3 Plan a programme of independent research using appropriate software tools to deliver solutions in a professional manner.
4 Critically appraise research evaluation methodologies and be able to apply them to a given research problem.

Indicative Module Content
Library skills: literature searches; information sources (online and offline). Legal Issues: Social and ethical implications of IT; copyright; patents; intellectual property rights; contracts; product liability; data protection. Data Access: requirements for data confidentiality, ethics, archiving and shared access. Project management: tools and techniques; configuration management, frameworks and the role of the project manager, team building soft skills, planning and requirements gathering. Report writing: citation styles; practical skills in formatting, building contents and indices; report writing style. Evaluation: experimental design; reproducible research; evaluation of research outcomes.

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

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours N/A 36
Non-Contact Hours N/A 114
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL N/A 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: Component 1 consists of a group work presentation worth 25% and a written report worth 75%.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Grading scheme below outlines the minimal requirements to achieve each grade.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in Component 1.
B The student needs to achieve a B in Component 1.
C The student needs to achieve a C in Component 1.
D The student needs to achieve a D in Component 1.
E The student needs to achieve an E in Component 1.
F The student needs to 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 except for course entry requirements.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BELL, J., 2010. Doing Your research Project. Open University Press.
2 COHEN, L., MANION, L. AND MORRISON, K., 2011. Research Methods in Education. Routlegde.
3 BOTT, F., 2014. Professional Issues in Information Technology, 2nd Ed., BCS
4 GASH, S., 2000. Effective Literature Searching for Research. Gower.
5 BOWDEN, J., 2011. Writing a report: How to prepare, write and present really effective reports. How To Books Ltd.
6 PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, 2013. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). 5th ed. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, Inc
7 KERZNER, H., 2013. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 11th Edition. Wiley

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