DATA3730 Introduction to IT research Course description

Project relevant to research: The student group will carry out an IT project as part of a research project at OsloMet or another research or educational institution. Completion of the course requires work on the project corresponding to two days a week over a 12-week period. If the project is carried out during the summer, the work must correspond to four days a week over a six-week period.

In addition to the projects on offer, the individual or student group can find their own relevant research project within an existing project at OsloMet or another research or educational institution. In this case, students must receive formal approval of participation from the head of the research project and have a defined a sub-project that the student/group will work on. The sub-project must be formally approved by the course leader as relevant and as having a suitable theme and scope. If the research project is not carried out at OsloMet, the head of the research project must appoint a project supervisor. In addition, each student group will be assigned an internal supervisor at OsloMet.

This elective course will only run if a sufficient number of students a registered.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• understands the basic problems relating to carrying out a research project, including professional and research ethics, methods of cooperation, hypothesis formulation and experiments
• has a basic understanding of financing, reporting and the organisational structure of a research project
• understands the possibilities and challenges related to the generalisation of research results

Skills

The student is capable of:

• applying scientific methods, including basic qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies
• searching for, applying and referring to relevant scientific literature
• critically reflecting on the connections between research questions, research design and choice of method

General competence

The student is capable of:

• defining a research issue, research question and relevant methodology
• completing a scientific experiment through e.g. user testing, experiments, questionnaire surveys or prototype implementation
• assessing the quality of the different aspects of a scientific study

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student:

• has specialized knowledge of the research literature of the specific areas of their Master thesis
• understands the functions, structures, and forms of introduction chapters in theses
• understand the functions, structures, and formal requirements of literature review chapters in thesis.
• understands the function and structure of the IMRAD model and other heuristics for thinking about how academic texts are constructed
• understands the role and methods of peer learning and peer review, particularly the "summarize, evaluate, suggest" structure for commenting.

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• clearly define and limit problem areas
• connect his/her own project to relevant research literature
• clearly formulate problem statement and research questions applicable to the area of their master project
• apply different heuristics to the writing of the introduction and literature review chapters.
• give and receive effective peer feedback specific to the chapters.
• analyze and reflect on own writing through process memos and other reflective documents.

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can apply knowledge in new areas and plan limited projects
• can carry out comprehensive independent literature study
• understands and is able to articulate the idea that introduction and literature review structures and forms are based on disciplinary conventions.

Each student is appointed a supervisor when starting Phase 1. The work is carried out under the guidance of the appointed supervisor.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of online, asyncronous classes during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers.

The Phase 1 submission is an individual written text of between 5,000 and 10,000 words that amounts to the two first chapters of the thesis: the Introduction and Literature Review. The text should clearly formulate the problem statement and research questions, and include a plan of the research to be conducted in Phase 2 and 3 of the masters thesis.

It is understood that the contents of the Phase 1 submission does not necessarily constitute the final versions of the text in the master's thesis.

The exam grade can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

Master thesis coordinator: assistant professor Nikola Holm

Writing workshop coordinator: professor Pavel Zemliansky