COMP SCI 7405 - Research Methods in Software Engineering and Computer Science
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMP SCI 7405 Course Research Methods in Software Engineering and Computer Science Coordinating Unit Computer Science Term Semester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact 2 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Assessment Written exam and/or assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Mr Mark Stewart
Lecturers: Dr Christoph Treude.Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Understand and be able to explain and apply the philosophy of science as it applies to research methods 2 Be able to explain principles of research design 3 Be able to apply principles of research design for a variety of projects 4 Understand and be able to explain research ethics and their implications 5 Understand and be able to apply a range of techniques, including, but not limited to: qualitative methods, quantitative methods, survey methods, case studies, interviews 6 Understand and be able to explain the important of data replication and the management of bias 7 Be able to design and implement research studies that meet the above requirements 8 Demonstrate the ability to produce written records of research work that are of a submittable standard 9 Demonstrate the ability to critique and review work in order to identify where research methodological principles have been followed well or could be improved, including the written presentation of the review to a professional standard
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers 最新糖心Vlog .
The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5
最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-9 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
5,7,9 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
2,4,9 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3,5,7,9 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
The course has no text books but readings will be provided throughout the course and may be accessed through the on-line teaching portal.Recommended Resources
There are no recommended resources.Online Learning
All materials will be availabe from MyUni, , Canvas Learning Management System. Online learning materials are likely to include podcasts, video recordings, electronic documents and on-line quizzes to verify knowledge. Students may also interact with the Mahara portfolio system as part of their coursework. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will require students to carry out pre-reading and, on occasion, prepare presentations prior to attending the face-to-face session time, one two-hour session every week. The face-to-face will consist of mini-lectures, group discussion, collaborative activities, presentation, and peer evaluation. It is essential that students are prepared before attending. While the face-to-face sessions may be recorded, the activities contained may not necessarily be captured by that system.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Students will be expected to undertake 3-4 hours of reading and preparation each week, with one two-hour face-to-face session every week. Course assessment activities will take approximately 4 hours a week on average.
As there is no examination, assessment activities and load will continue into Week 13 and possibly Week 14.Learning Activities Summary
This course will prepare students for advanced research by examining how to plan, conduct and report on empirical investigations. The course will cover techniques applicable to each of the steps of a research project, including formulating research questions, theory building, data analysis (using both qualitative and quantitative methods), building evidence, assessing validity, and publishing. It will particularly focus on research involving software, developing statistical tools to measure software performance and the ways in which people interact with software tools.Specific Course Requirements
Students should be the final year of an Honours undergraduate program, enrolled in an Honours or coursework Masters program or have recently started a PhD program. Students should, preferably, be starting their project work and be able to undertake this course in conjunction with the first 6-12 months of their project. -
Assessment
The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes CBOK Alignment** Critique a research paper.
Written submission15 Individual Summative Week 3 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. 2.1 3.2 Construct and refine an
appropriate methodology for a
research question. Research Proposal15 Individual Summative Week 6 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 Presentation of a research paper in class 10 Group Summative Week 11 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 9. 1.1 1.2 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.2 Produce a short research paper.
Written paper40 Individual Summative Week 13 Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4.5.6.7.8. 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 Reflection: Reflect on the application of resaerch methods as part of the research project, discuss advantages and disadvantages 20 Individual Summative Week 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 100
This assessment breakdown complies with the 最新糖心Vlog's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
**CBOK is the Core Body of Knowledge for ICT Professionals defined by the 最新糖心Vlogn Computer Society. The alignment in the table above corresponds with the following CBOK Areas:
1. Problem Solving1.1 Abstraction1.2 Design
2. Professional Knowledge2.1 Ethics2.2 Professional expectations2.3 Teamwork concepts & issues2.4 Interpersonal communications2.5 Societal issues2.6 Understanding of ICT profession
3. Technology resources3.1 Hardware & Software3.2 Data & information3.3 Networking
4. Technology Building4.1 Programming4.2 Human factors4.3 Systems development4.4 Systems acquisition
5. ICT Management5.1 IT governance & organisational5.2 IT project management5.3 Service management5.4 Security managementAssessment Related Requirements
Hurdle Requirement: If your overall mark for the course is greater than 44 F but, your marks for the short research paper are less than 40%, your overall mark for the course will be reduced to 44 F.Assessment Detail
The detailed assessment breakdown is:- Produce a short research paper. Written paper. 40%
- Critique a research paper. Written submission and presentation. 15%
- Construct and refine an appropriate methodology for a research question. Written submission. 15%
- Mini-research project: demonstrate the ability to produce designs for a range of specific methodologies and carry out the investigation. Written submission and presentation. 20%
- Presentation in class: 10% (Graded by lecturer and combined with peer evaluation. Two separate project-related presentations)
CBOK Mapping:
Research paperAbstraction: 3Critique
Design: 3
Ethics: 3
Professional expectations: 2
Interpersonal communications: 3
Understanding of ICT profession: 3
Data & Information: 3
Programming: 3
Human factors: 3
Systems development: 3Ethics: 4Construct and refine methodology
Data & Information: 4Abstraction: 3Mini-research project
Design: 3
Ethics: 3
Professional expectations: 2
Interpersonal communications: 3
Understanding of ICT profession: 3
Data & Information: 3
Programming: 3
Human factors: 3
Systems development: 3Abstraction: 3Presentation of a research paper
Design: 3
Ethics: 3
Professional expectations: 2
Interpersonal communications: 3
Understanding of ICT profession: 3
Data & Information: 3
Programming: 3
Human factors: 3
Systems development: 3Abstraction: 3
Design: 3
Professional expectations: 3
Interpersonal communications: 3
Understanding of ICT profession: 3
Data & Information: 3Submission
All work will be submitted through either the School of Computer Science's Web Submission Gateway, the LMS, or the Mahara Portfolio system. Each assignment will have clear instructions as to the submission mode and to the model of lateness management that is being employed.
Traditional late penalties may not be used in this class although, if not otherwise stated, this is the model that will be used. Instead, when clearly identified on a submission, late submission may result in the loss of access to certain grading resources. (As always, documented reasons for lateness can be acceptable and we would then provide other opportunities as required.) For example, if work is not submitted in time to be distributed for peer review, the work will not receive a peer review mark. If the work is not delivered in time for detailed marking, then a simpler rubric will be employed that will have fewer opportuities to receive marks, once all other marking of submissions has completed and if time allows. If a student has not prepared for a presentation, then that grading opportunity is lost.
Our goal is to provide the best feedback we can, as soon as possible, to the largest number of students. We wish to provide marks that clearly recognise each student's contribution but must balance this with our duty of care to all students and a principle of fairness.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
