32933 Research Project

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Professional Practice and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 32144 Technology Research Preparation
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 32932 Management Research Project AND 32934 Research Project

Recommended studies:

project management; quality management; systems development

Description

Students undertake research projects that involve a substantial investigation individually or in a team of three people, under the supervision of a member of academic staff or a supervision panel consisting of a member of academic staff and a senior PhD candidate. Students apply research methods and approaches to solve new problems using ICT technologies. The subject is examined on the quality of research outcomes, a written report and an oral presentation.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Conceptualise, design, plan, and implement research studies in their field of study and practice. (C.1)
2.	Apply at least one research method applicable to ICT fields. (C.1)
3.	Write a research report in appropriate format and style, including the research background, design, implementation, results and conclusions. (E.1)
4.	Give an oral presentation on the research background, design, implementation, results and conclusions to an audience of peers and staff. (E.1)
5.	Conduct critical self and peer assessments. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

• 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)
• 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

The subject is independent and self-motivated work by the participant, assisted by the participant's individual project supervisor and the subject coordinator.

There are no formal classes, but students should meet regularly with their supervisor. Students are responsible for organising regular meetings. An introduction to the subject will be posted on Canvas.

Content (topics)

The participant will undertake a project consisting of a significant research component in a selected ICT disciplinary area.

The project will:

• be of direct interest to the participant;
• provide a solution to an important problem using ICT technology;
• be consistent with the participant's professional career goals and of value to the participant's professional development.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Report/Prototype/Multimedia Product

Intent:	The purpose of this task is to assess a participant's competence in the following aspects: Demonstrated sound understanding of the current developments in a selected ICT and/or professional practice. Demonstrated good knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a selected ICT disciplinary area. Skills to reflect critically on theory and professional practice in a selected ICT area. Skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories or techniques. Skills to apply technical knowledge, IT research methodology, and appropriate tools and resources to meet specified research objectives. Skills to design, implement and evaluate components, systems or processes, and to analyse the results. Ability to apply established theories and/or technology to solve technically challenging ICT problems Ability to use of core body of specialised, in-depth, knowledge for the research topic in a selected ICT disciplinary area. Ability to present the development of his or her project, including background, problem formulation, assumptions, modelling, experiments and results with discussions, in a succinct and cogent form to specialist and non-specialist audience. Professional judgement and/or decision making at a level that would be reasonably expected from a near ICT postgraduate. Demonstrated awareness of legislation, statutory requirements standards and codes of practice relevant to your research project, if applicable. Demonstrated ability to comprehend, analyse and quantify the nature of risk, both of an IT technical kind and in relation to clients, users, the community and the environment and devise strategies for managing this risk, if applicable
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, individually assessed
Weight:	80%

Assessment task 2: Research Presentation

Intent:	This item is for assessing a participant's oral communication skills and ability to present arguments clearly and concisely to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1
Type:	Presentation
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	20%

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

References

As relevant to the proposed area of study (specialisation).

In terms of writing and communication in information technology (including disseminating research results), the following book is recommended:

Zobel, J. (2014). Writing for computer science (3rd ed.). London: Springer-Verlag.

This book provides an excellent resource for those needing to write papers, reports, theses and other professional documents in the field of information technology.

In addition, the Study Guide given for the prerequisite Technology Research Preparation subject will be useful for various aspects of this subject.

Other resources

In this subject, unless otherwise instructed by the Subject Coordinator, you are permitted to use AI technologies in an ethical and transparent manner to generate materials for background research and self-study. Only assistive use is permitted. Content generated by AI technologies or other sources presented as your own work is considered to be academic misconduct as per the UTS Student Rules on misconduct. Unless otherwise instructed by the Subject Coordinator:

1. Any use of generative AI tools must be acknowledged by citing their use through referencing in students’ work
2. Students must provide all interactions with the generative AI tool, including prompts and responses, as an Appendix to submitted work (including assessments)

It is your responsibility to check and verify the accuracy and integrity of the information used, and to rewrite any text provided by AI or other sources in your own words.

You may be asked to participate in a viva voce assessment to confirm or clarify your work and/or marks.