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.
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
FIT4005, FIT5125, FIT5143, FIT5185
Chung-Hsing Yeh
Chung-Hsing Yeh
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 the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. 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, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
In its third offering (2014) at the SEU-Monash Joint Graduate School in Suzhou, this unit has achieved a student evaluation score of 4.88 (out of 5) for the quality of the unit. Student feedback has shown that this unit is well structured and no changes are required for this semester. In particular, students are happy with the encouragement and helpful feedback they receive from the lecturer for their active participation in this unit.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Unit Overview; The Nature of Research | |
| 2 | Research Project Design and Planning, and Research Proposals | |
| 3 | Literature Review - Setting the Context | |
| 4 | Communication of Research - Publication and Oral Presentations | |
| 5 | Writing Journal Papers | |
| 6 | The Nature of Evidence | Assignment 1 - Task 1 due 10 April 2015 |
| 7 | Experiments | |
| 8 | Quantitative Data Analysis - Probability and Hypothesis Testing | Assignment 1 - Task 2 due 24 April 2015 |
| 9 | Quantitative Data Analysis - Distributions and Hypothesis Testing | Assignment 2 due 8 May 2015 |
| 10 | Quantitative Data Analysis - Correlation and Regression | Assignment 1 - Task 3 due 15 May 2015 |
| 11 | Research Publication Matters - On the Publication Road | Assignment 3 Oral Presentations |
| 12 | Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis | Assignment 3 Oral Presentations; Assignment 3 due 29 May 2015 |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC. | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.
In-semester assessment (assignments and class tests): 100%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Research Writing Tasks | 30% (10% for each task) | Task 1 (10 April 2015); Task 2 (24 April 2015); Task 3 (15 May 2015) |
| Assignment 2: Critical Review of Published Research | 30% | 8 May 2015 |
| Assignment 3: Overview of a Research Project | 40% (Research Project Report 30% and Class Oral Presentation 10%) | 29 May 2015 |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
The assignment will be assessed by logic of structure, clarity, conciseness, consistency, quality of arguments, and standard of English expression.
The research project report (30%) will be assessed by logic of structure, clarity of objectives and methodology, justification of novelty and contribution, quality of conclusion and significance, referencing, and standard of English expression.
The class oral presentation (10%) will be assessed by both content and presentation.
Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., Tight, M.(2010). How to Research, 4th Edition. Open University Press, Maidenhead, UK.
Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage, Thousand Oaks, California, USA.
Dawson, C. (2009). Introduction to Research Methods: A Practical Guide for Anyone Undertaking a Research Project, 4th Edition. How To Books, Oxford, UK.
Leedy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E. (2013). Practical Research: Planning and Design,10th Edition, Pearson, Boston, USA.
Zikmund, W.G., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C., Griffin, M. (2010). Business Research Methods, 8th Edition. South-Western, Cengage Learning, Mason, OH., USA.
Additional readings will be provided for each lecture. See the unit Moodle site for further details.
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
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.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the Moodle site for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
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: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
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 http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/.
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.