Module Code - Title:
CS6124
-
DISSERTATION 2
Year Last Offered:
2024/5
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The core aim of this module is to allow students to provide and present evidence in evaluation of the research position they derived in the Dissertation 1 module.
This evidence can be in the form of, for example, an empirical study where the student will design and perform an evaluation of their position, reporting on the results and how they align with their initial research position. Alternatively the evidence could be in the form of prototype software that embodies a novel approach, and the efficacy of the approach evaluated.
This module is linked to Module ID number: 2510 (Dissertation 1). Specifically, module 2510 is M graded, pending the completion of this module.
Syllabus:
Students will be required to progress research work, with the guidance of their supervisor, through a number of milestones, from (for example) empirical design, through data gathering, results analysis and reporting, to interpretation. When the empirical route is chosen, the student will be expected to submit their empirical design to the research ethics committee.
Alternatively, the students may build software prototype illustrators to (for example) illustrate a novel approach to their specified research problem, and to trial it.
Regardless, the student will have to defend their approach and explicitly present their results, relating them back to their impact on the initial research question, as derived in Dissertation 1.
They will be required to report on this work (and its associated literature review) in the form of a 20,000-word dissertation. It is envisaged that this dissertation will include a refined version of the report generated in Dissertation 1.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Compose an evidence-gathering approach for a given research question;
2. Compile results towards analysis of their research question;
3. Analyse their results towards addressing their research question;
4. Evaluate their findings with respect to the validity of the research position;
5. Defend their approach and analysis;
6. Demonstrate a clear grasp of methodological tools necessary to undertake a MSc dissertion.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a high level of self-motivation;
2. Appreciate the ethical concerns associated with empirical studies and design the study accordingly;
3. Justify the empirical/prototype-illustrator approach adopted;
4. Defend the traceability from research question to design, through to results and conclusions;
5. Adapt their design, analysis and derived conclusions in the light of critique.
6. Answer their research question in the light of the results they have obtained.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be undertaken, under the guidance of a single faculty member. This supervisor will meet the student regularly to discuss and critique the design, result analysis and conclusions that the student (Proactively) generates during during the module. They will work (Collaboratively) to a research dissertation that is defensible by the student (Knowledge) through debate (Articulate), refinement and iteration.
In cases where empirical studies are undertaken the student will show respect for the ethical considerations appropriate in the study (Responsibility) by preparing and submitting to the research ethics committee of the Faculty.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Oates (2006)
Researching Information Systems and Computing
, Sage
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
mike.hinchey@ul.ie