32931 Technology Research Methods
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 32144 Technology Research Preparation OR 42670c Research Foundations OR 41079 Computing Science Studio 2
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 32572 Reflective Practice in Information Technology
Description
This subject aims to help students increase their research skills by familiarising students with a range of skills and methods that are beneficial in carrying out research projects. This is done with the emphasis of practice-based skills which students can self-select. Students have the opportunity to study the advantages and limitations of different research approaches, as well as their applicability in different research contexts. They also have the opportunity to gain professional skills and advanced technical skills relevant to their disciplinary research agenda, and in the critical evaluation of others' research work.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Draw on the community of researchers to aid in the enhancement of ones own research abilities. (E.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Reflect on implications of research knowledge, design and impacts on research to wider disciplinary community. (F.1) |
| 3. | Present a rationale (Impact/significance) for the research study based on context, discipline, topic and population. (B.1) |
| 4. | Customise research methods based on research objectives stated in research projects. (C.1) |
| 5. | Justify disciplinary research methods to assure reliability and validity of research study. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
There will be an introductory session which will include information on developing a learning plan for research students. The session will also include exploration of learning opportunities and how they are suited to particular types of research aims.
The remainder of the subject is an independent learning journey conducted in conjunction with your supervisor. You will define your goals, needs and strategies for meeting these. In some instances, your needs will be to enhance your existing research skills and in others, you will develop new skills. Together with your supervisor, you will identify what is appropriate to enhance your ability as you attend workshops and online courses. The increasing development of your skills will assist you in writing and refining your research as well as build on your ability to become a proficient researcher.
Content (topics)
This subject includes a number of Modules delivered by different experts. Each Module focuses on a specific topic. All students will study the Compulsory Research module, and then will work on a program of work taken from the range of other modules on offer by developing a self learning plan. Modules will include professional skills, research skills and also technical skills. Options will change, but include modules such as machine learning, action learning, design based research, usability testing, simultaneous localization and mapping, statics, python, R, Matlab, data visualisation, lasers, qualitative skills, presentations skills and research publishing.
The Compulsory Research Module
In this module you will pursue how research is done in other fields and compare it to your own discipline. Also, discuss different research methods and how they can produce different outcomes. How can you use different strategies and approaches to craft a concise set of research aims and objectives. Review how to plan a research project from the crafting of a research question to deciding which methods would best suited to answer the question based on the context of study. This module will help you build a dissertation skeleton.
Other specialist modules will be announced and explained in Week 1. They will be open for enrollments after the initial online session
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Individual plan and reflective portfolio
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
Assessment task 2: Draft of Introduction and Methodology Chapter
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Each discipline and by association supervisor will have their expectations. Please liaise with your supervisor to ensure that you are adhering to these expectations |
Minimum requirements
To achieve a pass grade for the subject, students must submit their attempt of all assessment tasks by the due date and achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Students who do not submit all assessment tasks by the due dates may be referred to the Responsible Academic Officer under Student Rule 3.8.2, and a fail result may be recorded for this subject.
References
There is no single set text for the subject. For the different components of the TRM subject, references and readings will be provided as appropriate.
For the core Research module, the following is recommended as supplementary reading:
- Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., & Fitzgerald, W. T. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
For those who wish to have more detail on research methodology, the following provide introductions in a range of areas:
- Burns, R. B. (1994). Introduction to research methods. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire. (esp. parts 1 and 3)
- Creswell, J. (1994). Research design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning in the research process. Sage.
- Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. (2000). Practical research: Planning and design (7th ed.). Prentice Hall.
- Martella, R., Nelson, R., & Marchand-Martella, N. (1998). Research methods: Learning to become a critical research consumer. Allyn & Bacon.
- Peterson, R. A. (2000). Constructing effective questionnaires. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Punch, K. F. (1998). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. London: Sage.
A useful book on literature reviews is:
- Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination (2nd ed.). London: Sage.