Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title DISSERTATION PROJECT
Code CKIT702
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Aims

  • To provide a systematic analysis of the nature and conduct of Information Technology and Computer Science research
  • To allow students to successfully develop a Final Project and Dissertation

  • To equip students with the ability to undertake independent research

  • To examine the foundations of research and associated l;egal and ethical issues


  • Learning Outcomes

    Conduct research in IT

    Produce a dissertation in the accepted format

    Conduct extensive literature searches

    Appraise research papers

    Critically analyse project results

    Assess ethical issues in relation to IT projects


    Syllabus

    Seminar 1: What Is Research?

    In this seminar we will examine the concept of research and the foundation theories and categories along which it is conducted. You will be able to appreciate that there are many faces to research serving different purposes.

    Seminar 2: Choosing a project and writing a proposal

    This seminar will be devoted to how to choose a project and how to construct the proposal. It will define what the expectations of the dissertation are.

    Seminar 3: Literary search and Scientific Paper reading

    In this seminar we shall examine the need for literary search, by both referring again to the “Information Literacy Module” that yo u took previously and by pointing out additional modes of literacy search. We shall then discuss how to read, evaluate and criticize research papers.

    Seminar 4: Project Planning, Risk and Time Management

    All projects consume resources, including time and money, in order to deliver a product of a particular scope and quality. Thus, there is always tension between the extent of resource input and the extent of product output. Additionally, there is also tension between project management activities and project development activities. In this seminar we shall assess various aspects of planning: Project, Risk, and Time, and how to manage them.

    Seminar 5: Computer Ethics

    This seminar starts by discussing and categorizing what “ethics” are. How do we classif y them according to different approaches? Which one is the “right” one? It will continue with its implications for computing and several codes of ethics formulated by different computer associations will be presented.

    Seminar 6: Conducting and Presenting the Project.

    The material introduced in the previous seminars applies to the project. These are labeled “Best Practice”, and in this seminar we shall examine both these and more structured approaches of the development stage.

    Seminar 7: Presentation and Analysis of Quantitative Data (Optional)

    This seminar introduces some basic statistics that will help you qualitative analysis of data.



    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Virtual classroom hours (for online modules) -

    Number of hours per week, per student expected in the virtual classroom in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 2.2.

    Non-classroom hours (for online modules) -

    Number of hours per week, per student expected for reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 520.


    Teaching Schedule

      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours           80

    520

    600
    Timetable (if known)           Number of hours per week, per student expected in the virtual classroom in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 2.2.
    Number of hours per week, per student expected for reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 520.
     
     
    Private Study 0
    TOTAL HOURS 600

    Assessment

    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)
    % of
    final
    mark
    Resit/resubmission
    opportunity
    Penalty for late
    submission
    Notes
                 
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)
    % of
    final
    mark
    Resit/resubmission
    opportunity
    Penalty for late
    submission
    Notes
    Coursework  Research Methods Tra  (normally) Weeks 1-6  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity, Students are not required to achieve a pass mark, they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". 
    Coursework  Project Specificatio  Week 14  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity, Students are not required to achieve a pass mark, they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". 
    Coursework  12,000 - 15,000 word  Week 36  80  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Assessment 3 Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, For dissertations commencing after 1st March 2016: Dissertations submitted up to 10 calendar days after the submission date shall be assessed and 5% of the total marks available for the dissertation component shall be deducted from the assessment mark for every two days after the submission date, up to a maximum of ten calendar days; however, the mark will not be reduced below the pass mark for the assessment. Work assessed below the pass mark will not be penalised for late submission of up to ten days. Work submitted after ten calendar days will receive a fail (zero) grade. Final research projects commencing before 1st March 2016: Dissertations shall have a cap applied to their mark if they are submitted after the submission deadline and within one calendar month of the deadline. The mark will be a maximum of 50 (a minimum passing grade) even if it would have warranted a higher grade had it been submitted on time. Notes (applying to all assessments) Research Methods Training (DQs): (i) Although students are not required to achieve a pass mark they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". (ii) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously. Project design and specification (FU): (i) Although students are not required to achieve a pass mark they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". (ii) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously. Dissertation (Hand-Ins): (i) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously.  

    Recommended Texts

    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: