COURSE SPECIFICATION. Code: (supplied by Banner Team) School: Course Title: Research Methods Course Coordinator: Mr. Elton Ballhysa Level: Credit: 12

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1 COURSE SPECIFICATION Code: (supplied by Banner Team) School: Course Title: Research Methods Course Coordinator: Mr. Elton Ballhysa Level: Credit: 12 Department: CS Pre-requisites: Aims: Before getting started on any kind of project in IT industry, one needs to perform a thorough research on the type of the problem at hand, aiming to identify the main obstacles and possible solutions while evaluating the pros and cons of different approaches. This course provides the student with the required background on research as related to the field of Computer Science. This course is scheduled to be given just prior to the start of the Final Project course with the intention that the student will be applying the concepts taught in this course to the topic/project that s/he has selected or intends to select for the Final Project course. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course the student should be able to: A. Understand and evaluate different research techniques used in topics of Computer Science B. Evaluate and critique a research paper and offer alternative directions. C. Conduct original research within the legal and professional frameworks (where apply). D. Define a plan of original and individual research E. Present the results and findings of his/her own research Content: Students will be introduced to a range of technologies and advanced software concepts such as: Nature of research, specifically research in Computer Science How to find related information Research tools Quantitative data analysis Evaluating research articles References and bibliographies Planning your research Learning and Teaching Activities: Concepts will be introduced in lectures and practical exercises.

2 Assessment Details: Methods of Assessment Please identify the LAST item of assessment that a student sits with a tick Grading Mode Weight % Minimum Pass Mark Word Length Outline Details Coursework 60 50% Individual Coursework Covering Learning Outcomes A, B, C, D, E Examination 40 50% Covering Learning Outcomes: A, B & C Is the student required to pass ALL elements of assessment in order to pass the course? YES Indicative Texts: ISBN Author Date Title Publisher Number Dawson, 2005 Projects in Computing and Addison Wesley C.W. Information Systems: A Student's Guide Zobel, J Writing for Computer Science Springer

3 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA for PAS/BANNER Effective Term: (session) Donor Teaching: (% of teaching from another School) additional teaching) Donor School: (providing the Partner College: (give College name if course is only available at a Partner College) Linked Course: (if this course is taught with another but assessed separately, state with which course) AUTHORISATION FOR ALL NEW COURSES (as part of a new Programme, or free-standing) Head of Department I confirm that the subject matter and level is appropriate and is consistent with the course aims, and that an external adviser/examiner has been consulted. School Director of Resources I confirm that the resource implications of the proposed course have been considered, and that I have consulted the Directors of LIS and Computing Services as necessary School QA Officer I confirm that the course has been scrutinised in accordance with the University s quality assurance procedures. It replaces/does not replace existing course code number: School Director of L and Q (where new course is NOT part of new programme approval) I confirm that the School Quality Committee has approved this course. Once the course has been approved, the outline must be distributed as follows: - Banner Office (for entry onto Banner Database) - PAS (for resource planning and for information)

4 COURSE SPECIFICATION Explanatory Notes Course Subject Code A course is equivalent to a unit in the University s previous system. An individual subject code (based on nationally defined criteria) is assigned to each course. This code is supplied by the University s Planning and Statistics Office (PAS) in accordance with HESA Guidelines. This category will also determine the price group and related funding for the course and the course can then be easily located on the University s course database. School The name of the host School (or owning School) where the course is located and which resources it Course Title The Head of Department or IPSU will advise on an appropriate course title. Effective Term This indicates the academic session from which the course is valid and available for use. Course Co-ordinator The name of a tutor who is responsible for managing and providing academic leadership for the course, but who may not necessarily teach it General Level General level indicates whether it is a sub-degree (FE), undergraduate (UG), or postgraduate (PG) course. Specific Level Each course must also be assigned a Higher Education specific level 0, 1, 2, 3 or M, depending on the level of achievement and outcomes expected of students as follows: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level M Access to Higher Education Provides basic knowledge, skills and competence. Involves an extension and reinforcement of theoretical and/or practical aspects of knowledge. Reflects the synthesis of basic knowledge, skills and competence and equips students with tools of analysis and evaluation. Contributes to the individual s professional development, where appropriate. Provides an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to reflect on the significance and inter-relationships of knowledge acquired from a variety of sources; the ability on the basis of such reflection to formulate original ideas and innovative proposals; and the ability to carry out these activities with a fair degree of autonomy. Appendix A of the University s Academic Regulations for Taught Awards provides the following more detailed descriptions of the different academic levels:

5 Level Descriptors: The University recognises that significant work has already been completed on general level descriptors within the UK Academic Framework. It therefore has not to develop its own formal descriptors but rather utilises the wealth of material already detailed. The University ascribes to the following basic principles at each level. Learning experience at Level 0 is characterised by meeting required levels of literacy and numeracy and acquiring understanding in core areas of the curriculum allowing access to defined programmes of study in post school education. Learning experience at Level 1 involves the acquisition of basic knowledge, skills and competence, and is characterised by: raising awareness of introducing to beginning to develop exploring describing beginning to recognise Level 2 builds on level 1 and involves an extension and reinforcement of those experiences ie: increasing awareness of developing greater/deeper understanding observing and reflecting on beginning to analyse (formally) beginning to recognise (and classify) exploring and reflecting on Level 3 reflects the synthesis of knowledge, skills and competence and equips students with tools of analysis and evaluation, characterised by: investigating, critically appraising monitoring, reviewing and evaluating using relevant material to show awareness of different perspectives through reflection critically examining and reflecting on theoretical perspectives and their relevance to practice. Level M provides opportunities to: reflect on the significance and inter-relationship of knowledge acquired from a variety of sources; to use such sources, with critical insight, to evaluate findings of a small scale enquiry or other activity; to provide explanations within identified frameworks and/or general theory; formulate innovative proposals; achieve all outcomes with a large degree of autonomy. For more details on each level please see those developed by the South East England Consortium at: Credit Level Descriptors for Further and Higher Education Additional and useful guidance can be found in the Northern Ireland Credit Accumulation Scheme at: Specifications and Guidelines for NICATS (Sections et seq) Credit

6 Each course should specify a value in credits, derived from the learning outcomes and the proportion of the academic year which it occupies. At undergraduate level, for example, a 15 credit course is equivalent to one-eighth of a full-time year of study (120 credits). If the course is available for non-credit bearing purposes, this should also be indicated. Department All courses are assigned to a University department within a School, which is responsible for the academic content of the course. Courses in departments which are outside the host (or owning ) School MUST be referred to the relevant Head of Department for approval prior to validation, and signed off as indicated at the end of the form. Aims The aims should be long-term and strategic; they should identify the overall purpose of the course ie its rationale Learning Outcomes Setting learning outcomes assists in the process of defining the academic standards expected for different levels of study, and provides an effective way of communicating to students what a course is about. Clarity in the expression and description of outcomes will help to improve communication with potential employers about what skills, knowledge and understanding graduates possess. Learning and Teaching Activities The planned range of learning and teaching activities should be set out and should reflect the learning outcomes for the course. This statement should contain sufficient information to show how the learning outcomes may be achieved (accepting that different activities may be needed to reflect different modes of study). Possible learning and teaching activities include: lecture/class/seminar (face-to-face, video, or computer mediated) individual or group-based teaching tutorial/project labs/studio fieldwork work placements self study supported by structured learning materials Assessment Assessment of a course should measure the skills, knowledge and understanding encompassed by all the learning outcomes. Care should be taken to offer assessment strategies which do give the students an opportunity to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes. Whilst it is not expected that each individual outcome will be tied to a specific assessment activity, the methods of assessment should be stated with appropriate word length for any written assignments, and the balance/weighting of assessment methods should be made explicit. Identify last item of assessment (in time across the session) for funding purposes in returns to HEFCE. Please identify whether the student is required to pass ALL elements of assessment in order to pass the course (courses where this is the case will be identified on the matrix PAB reports). Indicative Texts Indicative texts (and journals) for the course should be listed. These should be appropriate for the level and nature of the course, and should be presented in standard format giving the ISBN Number, author, date, title and publisher. It is expected that this indicative reading will be up-to-date, including recent publications and latest editions. Course co-ordinators should be able to justify the inclusion of older publications eg on the grounds that they are seminal texts in the field.