Skills for Master's Level Research in Information Systems and Computing

This module provides students with the skills to acquire and distil knowledge so that they are fully prepared to undertake applied research at master’s level in general and in diverse areas in Information Systems and Computing, in particular. Students will be able to come up with appropriate research ideas and to use appropriate data collection and statistical methods and tools to support them. A range of research methodologies and strategies are discussed in helping  for their dissertation. The assessment of the module prepares the student for the delivery of a dissertation proposal. You will be assigned a prospective dissertation supervisor who will support you on a one to one basis throughout the duration of the module and who will help you prepare a viable and quality research proposal for your dissertation.

• Assist students in the various stages involved in undertaking a substantial and independent research project at MSc level, including choosing research topic, finding supervisor, writing research proposal, conducting literature review, developing research method and strategy, writing MSc dissertation, etc.
• Enable students to plan and undertake research in various areas of computing subject.
• Provide a deep and systematic understanding of the nature and conduct of research.
• Enhance students’ abilities to develop research strategies and methodologies.
• Develop students’ skills to critically understand research findings from the literatures of your research areas or topics
• Enhance students ability to identify and plan the development of transferable research skills This module is a pre-requisite for the MSc dissertation. Students need to pass this module before taking up their dissertation.

Learning outcomes to be assessed

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the nature of research as well as research techniques and skills

LO2 Critically review and analyse academic papers at the forefront of current research and advanced scholarship in their research areas, and present reasoned arguments for or against  the research topic under study

LO3 Critically evaluate research designs & methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses

LO4 Present a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of their research areas, and demonstrate self-direction and originality in developing a research proposal to underpin dissertation or research project.

What is research ethics? Why it matters

You will be asked to seek ethical approval for all your research projects undertaken in the course of your studies at UWL. Research ethics provides a framework for conducting research that might range from a short questionnaire devised by an undergraduate student through to a multi-million-pound project carried out by a group of professional researchers. All researchers, across all disciplines, should be mindful of ethical issues when planning, conducting, and reporting on their work.

Research ethics works to preserve the safety and rights of research participants in addition to safeguarding the well-being and integrity of the researcher, and the trustworthiness of the research. The University does not adhere to the principles of research ethics in order to prevent research taking place, but to facilitate good research; respecting the interests of all parties, mitigating risks to participants and researcher, and delivering research outcomes that are robust.

What is Research Ethics

Surely some types of research raise more ethical issues than others?

Yes. Typically, research that involves the following would raise ethical issues:

• human subjects,
• vulnerable individuals or groups,
• personal data,
• any type of clinical/physical intervention,
• when conducted in a sensitive or potentially dangerous location, or
• security sensitive information

These ethical issues require appropriate planning in the design of the research to identify and mitigate the risks to the participant or researcher.

Interviewing people as part of your research or collecting their data, including your peers or friends on certain issues to do a research project is, for example, a typical case where ethical approval is required to ensure that you have in place appropriate safeguards to protect their welfare. You must also ensure that you will be protected if your research involves accessing areas or information that may pose a risk to you.

Desk-based research centred on journal articles and books would be unlikely to pose acute ethical issues, except in relation to the way the researcher might select the articles, and report on their findings. In any case, no research should be undertaken without research-ethics approval.

How will UWL help me understand and apply research ethics?

First and foremost, research ethics will be addressed by your tutor or supervisor as part of your teaching. It may also be part of your recommended reading. Different disciplines conduct a range of research using a variety of approaches, so your teaching will cover ethical issues that are most likely to apply to your subject. If you have any questions about the design or conduct of research that you are planning, then you should seek the guidance of the tutor responsible for the module.

Secondly, UWL operates an Online Research Ethics Risk Assessment system that you are required to complete before commencing your project. This assessment helps the University to identify and improve research projects that might raise ethical issues. Just as importantly it will help you work through the potential ethical dimensions of your research in a structured step-by-step way and to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.

Apart from the University-wide support framework, which encompasses the Module Leaders, Course Leader, the Subject Librarian, and your Course Administrator, you will also have at your disposal the UWL Engagement Team. The Engagement Team offers One-to-One Academic Support opportunities helping you to develop skills relevant to your degree. Academic Skills Workshops throughout the year include the following:

• Essay Planning and Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Reflective Writing
• Group Work and Presentation Skills.

In addition to the support listed in the previous section, there is also more help offered by UWL Student Support Services. The Student Hub is located in The Street at St Mary’s Road, Ealing campus, but offer drop-in sessions at all UWL sites. They offer a wide range of support and advice services consisting of Student Advice, and Funding & Immigration advice; Careers; Counselling; Disability/Mental Health; Interfaith Advisor; Placement & Employment; Volunteering; Student Welfare; and Scholarships and Bursaries.

Why Research Ethics Matters

Towards the end of the module you will be invited to provide some anonymous feedback to the Module Leader through an online survey. This is your opportunity to give some direct feedback about the module through a series of questions and free text. Your constructive feedback will help the Module Leader and teaching team to understand the module experience from your perspective and helps inform the development of the module. At the end of the survey period, a response to the survey will be available so that you can see exactly how your voice has been heard.

data collection and statistical methods and tools to support them. A range of research methodologies and strategies are discussed in helping  for their dissertation. The assessment of the module prepares the student for the delivery of a dissertation proposal. You will be assigned a prospective dissertation supervisor who will support you on a one to one basis throughout the duration of the module and who will help you prepare a viable and quality research proposal for your dissertation.

• Assist students in the various stages involved in undertaking a substantial and independent research project at MSc level, including choosing research topic, finding supervisor, writing research proposal, conducting literature review, developing research method and strategy, writing MSc dissertation, etc.
• Enable students to plan and undertake research in various areas of computing subject.
• Provide a deep and systematic understanding of the nature and conduct of research.
• Enhance students’ abilities to develop research strategies and methodologies.
• Develop students’ skills to critically understand research findings from the literatures of your research areas or topics
• Enhance students ability to identify and plan the development of transferable research skills This module is a pre-requisite for the MSc dissertation. Students need to pass this module before taking up their dissertation.

Learning outcomes to be assessed

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the nature of research as well as research techniques and skills

LO2 Critically review and analyse academic papers at the forefront of current research and advanced scholarship in their research areas, and present reasoned arguments for or against  the research topic under study

LO3 Critically evaluate research designs & methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses

LO4 Present a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of their research areas, and demonstrate self-direction and originality in developing a research proposal to underpin dissertation or research project.

What is research ethics? Why it matters

You will be asked to seek ethical approval for all your research projects undertaken in the course of your studies at UWL. Research ethics provides a framework for conducting research that might range from a short questionnaire devised by an undergraduate student through to a multi-million-pound project carried out by a group of professional researchers. All researchers, across all disciplines, should be mindful of ethical issues when planning, conducting, and reporting on their work.

Research ethics works to preserve the safety and rights of research participants in addition to safeguarding the well-being and integrity of the researcher, and the trustworthiness of the research. The University does not adhere to the principles of research ethics in order to prevent research taking place, but to facilitate good research; respecting the interests of all parties, mitigating risks to participants and researcher, and delivering research outcomes that are robust.

How Will UWL Help Me Understand and Apply Research Ethics?

Surely some types of research raise more ethical issues than others?

Yes. Typically, research that involves the following would raise ethical issues:

• human subjects,
• vulnerable individuals or groups,
• personal data,
• any type of clinical/physical intervention,
• when conducted in a sensitive or potentially dangerous location, or
• security sensitive information

These ethical issues require appropriate planning in the design of the research to identify and mitigate the risks to the participant or researcher.

Interviewing people as part of your research or collecting their data, including your peers or friends on certain issues to do a research project is, for example, a typical case where ethical approval is required to ensure that you have in place appropriate safeguards to protect their welfare. You must also ensure that you will be protected if your research involves accessing areas or information that may pose a risk to you.

Desk-based research centred on journal articles and books would be unlikely to pose acute ethical issues, except in relation to the way the researcher might select the articles, and report on their findings. In any case, no research should be undertaken without research-ethics approval.

How will UWL help me understand and apply research ethics?

First and foremost, research ethics will be addressed by your tutor or supervisor as part of your teaching. It may also be part of your recommended reading. Different disciplines conduct a range of research using a variety of approaches, so your teaching will cover ethical issues that are most likely to apply to your subject. If you have any questions about the design or conduct of research that you are planning, then you should seek the guidance of the tutor responsible for the module.

Secondly, UWL operates an Online Research Ethics Risk Assessment system that you are required to complete before commencing your project. This assessment helps the University to identify and improve research projects that might raise ethical issues. Just as importantly it will help you work through the potential ethical dimensions of your research in a structured step-by-step way and to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.

Apart from the University-wide support framework, which encompasses the Module Leaders, Course Leader, the Subject Librarian, and your Course Administrator, you will also have at your disposal the UWL Engagement Team. The Engagement Team offers One-to-One Academic Support opportunities helping you to develop skills relevant to your degree. Academic Skills Workshops throughout the year include the following:

• Essay Planning and Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Reflective Writing
• Group Work and Presentation Skills.

In addition to the support listed in the previous section, there is also more help offered by UWL Student Support Services. The Student Hub is located in The Street at St Mary’s Road, Ealing campus, but offer drop-in sessions at all UWL sites. They offer a wide range of support and advice services consisting of Student Advice, and Funding & Immigration advice; Careers; Counselling; Disability/Mental Health; Interfaith Advisor; Placement & Employment; Volunteering; Student Welfare; and Scholarships and Bursaries.

Towards the end of the module you will be invited to provide some anonymous feedback to the Module Leader through an online survey. This is your opportunity to give some direct feedback about the module through a series of questions and free text. Your constructive feedback will help the Module Leader and teaching team to understand the module experience from your perspective and helps inform the development of the module. At the end of the survey period, a response to the survey will be available so that you can see exactly how your voice has been heard.