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Research Methods

Unit code: HIT9010

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration

1 Semester
Contact hours24 Hours
CampusHawthorn
Prerequisites
Nil
 
Corequisites
This unit should be taken as a corequisite to research units.

Aims and objectives

By the end of this unit of study students should be able to:
  • Identify the basic principles of academic research and the fundamentals concepts of research.
  • Interpret and critically evaluate previously published research in a formal literature review.
  • Describe the characteristic features of common research methods and debate their relative merits.
  • Identify a research question (or project problem/objective) and justify the selection of an appropriate and ethically managed research method.
  • Produce a written research/project proposal/report/paper and effectively present information in an oral presentation.

Teaching methods

Lectures  (24 hrs)

Assessment

Written Report, Presentation, Test

Generic skills outcomes

The generic attributes which relate to this unit help to produce students who:
  • Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas. 
  • Operate effectively in work and community situations. 
  • Are adaptable and manage change. 
  • Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals. 
  • In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline. 
  • Ability to understand problem identification, formulation and solution. 
  • Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

Content

  • Defining research. 
  • Specifying roles of student and supervisor. 
  • Developing a research/project question/problem/objective. 
  • Presentation techniques. 
  • Reviewing the literature.
  • Planning research/project design. 
  • Ethics. 
  • Writing a research/project proposal. 
  • Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. 
  • Writing a research paper and technical report with corresponding writing skills.

Reading materials

Leedy, PD & Ormrod, JE, Practical Research: Planning and Design, 10th edn, Prentice Hall, 2013.