Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know the overall principles and practice of academic research; understand the role of a research proposal and the most effective way of developing such a proposal; be able to identify an appropriate topic for research and to make the maximum use of the resources available; and appreciate the suitability and limitations of particular approaches to their topic.
Synopsis This subject covers the principles and practice of research into information systems, providing an introduction to a wide range of research. Students will be introduced to the issues of character, scale and originality required in an honours or masters thesis or doctoral dissertation. The major part of the syllabus covers the academic research process: identifying a topic for research, accessing the literature, placing research within the existing continuum of knowledge, formally stating and justifying the research question, designing an appropriate program of research, choosing one or more research methods, writing a research proposal, (including advice on structure, style, citation/quotation techniques and referencing style), ways of conducting a research project, and the process of writing a thesis or dissertation. Students receive an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods, including relative strengths and weaknesses; practical background for research, including an introduction to library facilities, on-line databases and the Internet as a research resource; effective ways of presenting a research project (both orally and in writing). The role of the supervisor is discussed. A special participatory session on ethics in research is offered. The course concludes with a discussion of how the thesis is examined.
Assessment Based on a thesis proposal presented orally and in writing