The course introduces students to some fundamentals of research methodology. The course comprises a series of lectures which cover the following topics: Philosophy of Science, Quantitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Basic Machine Learning Methods, Theoretical Research Methods, How to find a Research Topic, Literature Analysis, Reading and Reviewing Papers, Research Ethics and Commercialising Research. The lectures will be complemented by a series of workshops, labs and assignments that require students to do some small research focused tasks that help them get a hands-on experience of research, both individually and in teams of students. This includes different tasks such as topic modelling, statistical analysis, applying different machine learning techniques to solve a problem in a team, proving theorems, complexity analysis, designing a research project, reviewing papers and presenting papers. Workshops cover topics such as research integrity, time management and project management, teamwork, reading strategies, report writing, and presenting research. At the end of the course, students will be confident to start working on their own research projects.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate an ability to communicate in relation to an computing project in oral, written and graphical forms, with an an appreciation of the need to pitch any communication item appropriately for the audience. This includes demonstrated skills in the writing of abstracts and research papers.
2. Demonstrate an improved ability to use an active approach to learning and to undertake reflective professional practice.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the existence of technological choices; and make appropriate choices based on a consideration of design criteria.
4. Demonstrate an ability to undertake and manage a research project of significant size and scope.
5. Understanding of the process of identifying and formulating research problems.
6. Ability to carry out literature searches and some ability to critically evaluate literature.
7. Design and conduct experiments, devise appropriate measurements, analyze and interpret data and form reliable conclusions.
8. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of documenting all aspects of the development of an computing project of significant magnitude.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
12	This course covers all our 24 unit research projects, that is Honours thesis (COMP4550), Masters thesis (COMP8800) and Software Engineering projects (COMP4540). You will all have completed your study contract or project registration and found a research project and a supervisor before you can attend this course. This course will mainly involve working on your research project in close collaboration with your supervisor. We will also have a seminar once a week, which consists of research talks (either by you and your fellow students or by some experienced researchers) and possibly some workshops on topics related to managing your research project and writing your thesis. We will also have a session where we discuss about any issues you might have. As part of your research project you will have to give some presentations: a lightning talk at the beginning, a mid-term talk half way through and a final talk at the end of your project. All these talks will be part of the weekly research seminar.	Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to Prepare and present a short technical seminar. Write a literature survey. Undertake and complete a research project under supervision. Write a thesis describing the results of research work. Other Information You also need to have a signed 'Independent Study contract' with a supervisor before the start of the semester in which you plan to start your project. You will need to contact the CECS Student Services to request a permission code to enrol in this course. Indicative Assessment Presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4] Thesis (90) [LO 1,2,3,4]

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Thesis	85 %	[LO 2,3,4]
Presentation	10 %	[LO 1]
Constructive feedback	5 %	[LO 1]

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Thesis

Assessment Task 2

Presentation

This task will either be an oral presentation made to an audience of fellow students, or some form of poster.

Assessment Task 3

Constructive feedback

2.5% in S1, 2.5% in S2

This is the feedback you give to your fellow students for their talks. Whenever we have a seminar with talks (=no workshops), there will be a wattle feedback form for you to complete. Please give constructive feedback about what you think was good or bad about the presentation or the research and what and how it could be improved. 

Each feedback form is worth a maximum of 1 point. In order to get the full feedback mark per semester, you need at least 60% of the maximum feedback marks available. This will not only help all of you to improve your presentation skills and help identify weaknesses and areas of improvement, the ability for critical feedback is also essential for a successful researcher. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission not permitted.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students