Computer Research Skills, Practice and Ethics

RATIONALE

Research skills are an essential set of capabilities in the toolkit of a computing professional. Many problems require the practitioner to conduct literature and Internet searches to determine what is the state of the art; others involve surveys and interviews to determine actual user needs or perform a market analysis before a solution can be attempted, and further questionnaires, interviews, and observations as part of usability testing. Beyond the practice, such skills are required for the final-year BSc projects, postgraduate research by MPhil and PhD, and research in academia and industry. In addition, this module also covers the professional, legal and ethical standards and guidelines that influence commercial and technical operation, and to give opportunities for students to reflect on them in terms of research and practice.

AIMS

The aims of the module are:
1.   To develop an understanding and knowledge of the purpose, paradigms, processes, procedures and results of research within computing
2.   To enable students to demonstrate their ability and readiness to undertake research
3.   To enable students to develop an understanding of the professional, legal and ethical standards and guidelines that influence commercial and technical operation, and computing-related research

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:

1.    Demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of the purpose, paradigms, processes, procedures and results of research within computing
2.   Demonstrated their ability to create and deliver a constrained research output
3.    Demonstrate their understanding and appreciation of professional practice and ethics