UNIVERSITY
OF CHESTER – Undergraduate Programmes Assignment Specification
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Computer Science
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Module No |
Module Title |
Assessment No |
Weighting |
CO7115 |
Research Methods |
2 |
50% |
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Submission Date |
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Feedback due by |
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9th January 2023 at 17:30 |
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06/02/23
17:30 |
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Assignment Title
Review
Paper
Learning Outcomes Assessed
•
LO1: Select and investigate a topic of relevance
to the program of study and propose new directions for research in that area.
•
LO2: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the
concept and demands of postgraduate research and be able to critically evaluate
current research problems. Show a systematic understanding, and a critical
awareness of current practice in CS research.
•
LO3: Use
current research literature and other relevant resources to support a masters-level
research report
•
LO4: Show a systematic understanding, and a
critical awareness of current practice in CS research.
Submission Information
•
This assessment is worth 50% of the overall
module mark for CO7115.
•
Submission for this assignment will be online,
via Turnitin on the CO7115 Moodle page. You must submit your work as a single
document in either Microsoft Word format (.docx) or as Adobe PDF format (.pdf),
you must use the IEEE style Microsoft Word template document provided to you
via the CO7115 Moodle page. Work which is submitted in an
alternative format will usually be marked as zero.
•
Please note, any work which is submitted
elsewhere, other than via the turn-it-in link on the CO7115 Moodle page, will
receive a mark of Zero and shall not be marked.
Extensions
Extensions
should be requested through the online system available on the Registry
services pages on Portal. Late work is
penalised at the rate of 5% per day or part thereof.
Academic Integrity
The
material you submit must be your own work. Please avoid colluding with peers on
your work. The penalties for breaching the academic integrity policy are
severe. The minimum penalty is usually zero for that piece of work. Further
information is available at Portal > Support Departments > Academic
Quality and Standards > Academic Standards > Information for Students
> Academic Integrity
Assignment Brief
You are required to produce a review paper (max. length: 2500 words) on
an area of the academic
and professional literature relating to your M.Sc. subject (Computer
Science or
Cybersecurity). Your paper should
clearly summarise the current state of practice and research in
the subject you have chosen, and outline promising areas for future
research.
You must
demonstrate competence in producing an academic literature review (as opposed
to other written formats, such as a business report or popular magazine
article). To help you with this requirement, you should use How to Write a Literature Review: Workbook
in Six
Steps (Ollhoff,
2013), other books on the module reading list as a starting point, as well as
resources provided on the University’s Study Skills pages (https://moodle.chester.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=8136).
This assignment requires you to produce a well-structured essay of up to 2500 words. As usual, full references in APA style are required. You must use the IEEE template provided to format your essay before submitting it. The normal rules relating to excessive word count and late submission will apply.
Assessment Criteria
A pass mark for this assignment should meet the following criteria:-
a.
Evidence of a good range of reading, going beyond core or basic texts,
with sources appropriately acknowledged according to academic referencing
conventions.
b.
A practical understanding of how established techniques of research and
enquiry or systems development are used to create and interpret knowledge in
your M.Sc. field (Computer Science or Cybersecurity);
c.
Evidence of ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and
creatively. Consistent analysis and critical evaluation of current research and
advanced scholarship your M.Sc. field (Computer Science or Cybersecurity), with
an awareness of its relationship to academic research in general. Appropriate
use of coherent argument, supported by evidence.
d. Clear expression, observing academic form (observing APA referencing style throughout), which is predominantly accurate in spelling and grammar. Conclusions which are communicated clearly for specialist and non-specialist audiences as appropriate.
A distinction will be given for assignments that fulfil the above but
which also fulfil the criteria
below:-
a.
Excellent coverage, offering sophisticated or original insights, or a
synthesis, of disparate material.
b.
Extensive, well-referenced research both in breadth and depth.
c.
Sophisticated evaluation of possibilities and limitations of the methods
used. These may be either traditional research methods or systems development
methods.
d.
Lively, articulate communication demonstrating enthusiasm and control.
e.
Excellent presentation, showing accuracy and clarity of expression
throughout.