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Research Methods (COMP90044)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Chris Ewin
Semester 2
George Buchanan
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Research is a process of acquiring new knowledge by systematically and rigorously applying methods to address well-formulated questions. To be valuable, new knowledge must address a significant theoretical question, it must be supported by evidence and be able to stand up to critical scrutiny, and its presentation to other researchers and/or to the public must be persuasive. This subject is an introduction to research thinking, skills and methodologies as they apply to computing and related disciplines. The subject will foster the development of critical thinking, a sceptical and rigorous approach, and awareness of research ethics. This subject will be particularly useful for students contemplating undertaking a research degree, or for students currently enrolled in a research degree (MPhil or PhD) or a course-work degree with a research project (MIT, MIS).
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Research skills covered will include: surveying relevant literature, developing productive research questions, selecting and designing appropriate methods, analysing data and reasoning about their theoretical implications, communicating research both in writing and through oral presentation, and understanding the ethics of research. Qualitative methods covered include: ethnography, field data collection techniques (interviews, focus groups), thematic analysis, case studies and design-based research. Quantitative methods covered include: statistical thinking and techniques, hypothesis testing, experiment design, survey design, simulation studies.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Survey relevant literature, identify gaps and formulate productive research questions
- Conduct effective research design and planning
- Communicate research effectively in written form
- Demonstrate knowledge of selected research methodologies
- Apply rigour and skepticism in the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of research findings
- Apply ethical guidelines governing academic research
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have the following skills:
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
- Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Capacity for creativity and innovation
- Ability to communicate effectively both with the engineering team and the community at large
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
GEOM90016 Advanced Topics in GIScience
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An individual critical literature review of 2000 words. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 3 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 7 | 40% |
An individual research methods evaluation and design assignment of 3000 words. ILOs 2, 4 and 6 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 14 | 50% |
Workshop exercises throughout the semester. ILOs 1 - 6 are addressed.
| From Week 2 to Week 12 | 10% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Chris Ewin Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 36 hours, comprising of two 1 hour lectures and one hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Chris Ewin
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator George Buchanan Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours, comprising of two 1 hour lectures and one hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
George Buchanan
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Zobel, Justin, Writing for Computer Science, second edition, Springer
Recommended texts and other resources
Evans, Gruba, Zobel, How To Write A Better Thesis, 3rd Edition, Melbourne University Press, 2011
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject will comprise a mixture of lectures and workshops (3 hours each week). A significant amount of project work is assigned throughout the semester.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Evans, D. and Gruba, P. and Zobel, J. How to Write a Better Thesis, 3rd edition, Melbourne University Press, 2011
Zobel, J. Writing for Computer Science, 2nd edition, Springer, 2004.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The subject will provide students with a greater awareness about pathways to and practice for a career in industrial or academic research.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Science (Computer Science) Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Software Major Computer Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024