FIT5143 IT Research Methods is a mandatory unit in the MPhil program. It is a 0 point clone version of FIT5185 and is co-taught with FIT5185. It is a co-requisite for FIT6021 Advanced Research Methods 1.

16/10/2019 Updated for new delivery mode.

16/10/2013 - Administrative change: adding FIT5125 to Prohibitions.

This is a new unit which has been created as part of a review in 2013 of research training units in the Faculty. It is a 0 point clone of FIT5185 and is mandatory unit in the Master of Philosophy, and a co-requisite unit for FIT6021 for PhD students who have not taken FIT5185, 4005 or an equivalent unit in their previous studies.

21/10/13 - Administrative amendment to teaching arrangements. Modified Prerequisites/PreReqUnits - restricted enrolment to MPhil and PhD students.

9/1/2014 - Admin change, edit synopsis at ADE's request.

22 Jan 2014 - modified Workload/ContactHours (bulk upload from CUPID extract)

19 Nov 2014 - Adding new location of offering as this unit will be offered in the PhD coursework program in Malaysia from Semester 1, 2015. ADRT has requested this unit be available to MUM.

09/01/2017: Admin - CE updated unit learning outcomes (objectives) effective Semester 1, 2017.

03/09/2018: CE Updated contact hours to 2 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial to clarify timetabling.

22/09/2020 - Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

FIT5143 is a compulsory unit for students in the MPhil and a pre-and co-requisite for FIT6021 Advanced IT Research Methods which is a mandatory unit for PhD students.

FIT5143 provides an introduction to research philosophies and paradigms, research design, research ethics and IT research methods and techniques in the disciplines of computing science, information systems and information management. It develops research skills essential to undertaking a major or minor Masters research thesis, or research projects in a research or industry setting.

FIT5143 is a unit only in the research programs and is outside the governance of FEC. Amendments to this unit will need approval from HDRC and FRC.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

029999

The aim of the unit is to prepare Master of Philosophy students in the Faculty of IT to conduct research across the range of IT sub-disciplines. It provides broad coverage of the issues, concepts, methods, and techniques associated with Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Information Management research. It introduces students to major research paradigms, the principles of research design, research ethics, and research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to IT research generally and to their sub-discipline specifically. It covers oral, written, online and video research communication skills. Skills developed and knowledge acquired from this unit will prepare students to conduct and communicate their own research, as well as to be knowledgeable and critical interpreters of research more generally.

Technological requirements

Text processing, spreadsheet and slide presentation packages, media production tools and statistical analysis software may be required. These are available within the University.

On-campus

The unit comprises 12 weeks, one 3-hour studio per week, with a summary 1 hour lecture at the end of each week.

Studios contain 60 students, and for the same cohort up to 4 studios can be run in parallel in adjacent flat classroom spaces.

Students will prepare for studios each using online learning material.

Students will work in groups between 2-6 students in studios (depending on the activity).

Work conducted after the studio each week will form the basis for the assessment.

In-semester assessment: 100%

1. Assessment tasks for weeks 1 to 3 - 20% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2. Assessment tasks for weeks 4 to 6 - 20% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
3. Assessment tasks for weeks 7 to 9 - 20% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
4. Assessment tasks for weeks 10 to 12 - 30% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
5. Online weekly quiz - 5% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
6. Online weekly communication activity - 5% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

This is a 0 point unit.

Minimum total expected workload is 12 hours per week comprising:

FIT

None

Only students in PhD and MPhil research programs are eligible to enrol into this unit.