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Monash University

FIT5190 Introduction to IT research methods - Semester 2, 2012

This unit introduces students to IT research. Specifically, it introduces major research methods that are used by IT researchers including experiments, surveys, case studies, and design science. It also addresses the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Students will learn how to effectively communicate research. Skills developed and knowledge acquired from this unit will prepare students to conduct their own research, as well as to be knowledgeable consumers of others' research.

Contact Hours

Two hours of lecture and two hours of studio/tutorial per week.

Workload

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week during semester on this unit as follows:
Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorials: 2 hours per week per tutorial
and a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the reading and assignment expectations.

Chief Examiner

Associate Professor Chung-Hsing Yeh

Campus Lecturer

Academic Overview

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to understand:
  • the major philosophies and principles of research;
  • the major research methods used in IT research,;
  • when a particular method is appropriate for a particular project;
  • how to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative research data;
  • how to communicate research findings to a variety of audiences;
  • how to critically review research designs and literature.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment (assignments and class tests): 100%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Assignment 1: Literature Review 30% 10 August 2012
Assignment 2: Overview of a Research Project 40% (A Research Project Report 30% and Class Presentation 10%) 7 September 2012
Assignment 3: Research Project Evaluation 30% 28 September 2012

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Graded assignments with comments

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 The Nature of Research  
2 Literature Analysis  
3 Research in Information Technology  
4 Design Science  
5 Experiments  
6 Surveys  
7 Case Studies  
8 Introduction to Data Analysis Assignment 1 due
9 Quantitative Data Analysis 1  
10 Quantitative Data Analysis 2  
11 Qualitative Data Analysis Assignment 2 due
12 Communication of Research  
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken during SWOT VAC. Assignment 3 due 28 September 2012
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Assignment 1: Literature Review
    Description:
    The purpose of the assignment is to learn about a significant area of IT research by undertaking a literature review. The aim of this assignment is to ensure that you are capable of critically analysing published research.

    In this assignment, you will select a topic in IT research and conduct a critical review of the key published literature on the topic. Most of the literature will be journal and conference papers, but it could include books, book chapters, technical reports, blogs, white papers, and industry reports.

    The topic for the review must be approved by the unit lecturer. 
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The assignment will be assessed by:
    ¨ clarity and logic of the structure,
    ¨ level of critical analysis,
    ¨ referencing,
    ¨ standard of English expression,
    ¨ and quality of conclusions.

    Due date:
    10 August 2012
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Assignment 2: Overview of a Research Project
    Description:
    Write a brief overview report of a research project and give a presentation about the research project suitable for use as a seminar talk.
    Weighting:
    40% (A Research Project Report 30% and Class Presentation 10%)
    Criteria for assessment:

    The assignment will be assessed by:
    ¨ clarity and logic of the structure,
    ¨ level of critical analysis,
    ¨ referencing,
    ¨ standard of English expression,
    ¨ and quality of conclusions.

    Due date:
    7 September 2012
  • Assessment task 3
    Title:
    Assignment 3: Research Project Evaluation
    Description:
    Write and explain an evaluation plan for a research project.  Students are strongly encouraged to write about a research project that they are conducting or intend to conduct.
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The assignment will be marked on

    • clarity and logic of the evaluation plan,
    • the degree to which the plan assesses whether the project achieves or fails to achieve its research aims,
    • level of critical analysis,
    • referencing, and
    • standard of English expression.
    Due date:
    28 September 2012

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the VLE site for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Extensions and penalties

Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

Returning assignments

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Student services

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students. For Sunway see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/

The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Sunway, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.

Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows:

  • Website: http://monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html;
  • Email: dlu@monash.edu
  • Drop In: Equity and Diversity Centre, Level 1 Gallery Building (Building 55), Monash University, Clayton Campus, or Student Community Services Department, Level 2, Building 2, Monash University, Sunway Campus
  • Telephone: 03 9905 5704, or contact the Student Advisor, Student Commuity Services at 03 55146018 at Sunway

Reading list

Loraine Blaxter, Christina Hughes, and Malcolm Tight (2010). How to research, 4th Edition. Open University Press, Maidenhead.

John W. Creswell (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage, Thousand Oaks, Calif., USA.

Catherine Dawson (2009) Introduction to Research Methods: A Practical Guide for Anyone Undertaking a Research Project, 4th Edition. How To Books, Oxford.

W.G. Zikmund, B.J. Babin, J.C. Carr and M. Griffin (2010). Business Research Methods, 8th Edition. South-Western, Cengage Learning, Mason, OH.

Additional readings will be provided for each lecture. See the unit Moodle site for further details.

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