This unit introduces students to IT research. Specifically, it introduces major research methods that are used by IT researchers including experiments, surveys, case studies, and design science. It also addresses the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Students will learn how to effectively communicate research. Skills developed and knowledge acquired from this unit will prepare students to conduct their own research, as well as to be knowledgeable consumers of others' research.
2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs studios/tutorials/wk
The workload commitment for on campus students for this unit is 12 hours per week. This includes:
Students must be enrolled in an FIT Masters Honours degree. Students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework degree must have permission from the chief examiner and course director.
David Arnott
David Arnott
Joze Kuzic
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to understand:
In-semester assessment: 100%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 - Survey | 15% | 7 April 2011 |
| Assignment 2 - Development and analysis of statistical tests | 35% | 5 May 2011 |
| Assignment 3 - Mini research project or conference paper | 50% | Class presentation (Week 12 tutorial), Research report (6 June 2011) |
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
Students may be required to use Web browsers, text processing, spread
sheets and slide presentation packages to complete their assignments.
These should be available for use in University computer labs.
| Week | Date* | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 21/02/11 | ||
| 1 | 28/02/11 | The Nature of Research | |
| 2 | 07/03/11 | Literature Analysis | |
| 3 | 14/03/11 | Experiments | |
| 4 | 21/03/11 | Surveys | |
| 5 | 28/03/11 | Analysis of Quantitative Data 1 | |
| 6 | 04/04/11 | Analysis of Quantitative Data 2 | Assignment 1 due 7 April 2011 |
| 7 | 11/04/11 | Analysis of Quantitative Data 3 | |
| 8 | 18/04/11 | Analysis of Quantitative Data 4 | |
| Mid semester break | |||
| 9 | 02/05/11 | Case Studies | Assignment 2 due 5 May 2011 |
| 10 | 09/05/11 | Analysis of Qualitative Data | |
| 11 | 16/05/11 | Design Science Research | |
| 12 | 23/05/11 | Communicating Research | Assignment 3 presentations in Week 12 tutorial sessions |
| 30/05/11 | SWOT VAC | ||
*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.
To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:
If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit
Detailed assessment criteria will be on the unit Moodle site.
Detailed assessment criteria will be on the unit Moodle site.
Detailed marking guides for both the written report and the presentation are available on the unit Moodle site.
Assignment coversheets are available via
"Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring
that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.
All assignments should use APA style for referencing.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them.
You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis