AMSc Research Methods

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AMSc Research Methods

• Module co-ordinator Jane Reid
• E-mail jane_at_dcs.qmul.ac.uk

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Outline

• Aims of the module
• Schedule and staff
• Assessment
• Further information

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Aims of the module

• To prepare for the summer project
• To teach basic research skills used in pure and
  applied research in computer science
• Increase awareness of research resources
• Foster analytical, critical and reflective skills
• Raise awareness of the importance of
  transferable skills
• Introduce the main approaches to computer science
  research
• Teach appropriate research methods for these
  approaches
• Give relevant, practical experience of applying
  these methods

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Schedule and staff 1

• Main slot Tuesday 3-5, both semesters
• Tutorial slot (provisional) Thursday 4-5, both
  semesters
• Format of the course
• Weeks 1-4 background and transferable skills
• Weeks 5-12 research approaches and methods
• Weeks 13/14 transferable skills consolidation
• Weeks 15-18 seminars/discussion
• Weeks 19-24 project preparation

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Schedule and staff 2

• Week 1
• Introduction - Jane Reid
• Philosophy of science - Graham White / Pat Healey
• Week 2
• Philosophy of science - Graham White / Pat Healey
• Week 3
• Transferable skills - Peter McOwan / Sean Gong
• Week 4
• Information skills training (library-based) -
  Kathy Abbott

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Schedule and staff 3

• Weeks 5/6
• Research approach I analytical - Pat Healey /
  Jon Rowson
• Weeks 7/8
• Research approach II implementational - Thomas
  Roelleke / Graham White
• Weeks 9/10
• Research approach III formal - Sean Gong /
  Mounia Lalmas
• Weeks 11/12
• Research approach IV experimental - Jane Reid /
  Marie-Luce Bourguet

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Schedule and staff 4

• Weeks 13/14
• Transferable skills consolidation
• Weeks 15-18
• Seminars/discussion - external speakers
• Weeks 19-24
• Project proposal and literature review

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Assessment

• Coursework only
• Written assignment 30
• Project proposal presentation 30
• Project literature review 40

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Further information

• Web page at
• http//www.dcs.qmul.ac.uk/jane/courses/rm.html
• Lecturers for individual sections
• Course co-ordinator for administrative matters