F22RM Research Methods in Computer Science

Dr Hamish Taylor

Course co-ordinator(s): Dr Hamish Taylor (Edinburgh).

Aims:

This research course will be taught primarily by individual supervision and secondarily by a limited number of weekly lectures  that aim to

  • Impart skills in critical thinking, research planning, academic writing and experimental design appropriate for a post-graduate research programme.
  • Impart skills in research project planning
  • Develop a critical awareness of legal, social, ethical and professional issues relevant for computer science and its research.

Detailed Information

Course Description: Link to Official Course Descriptor.

Pre-requisites: none.

Location: Edinburgh.

Semester: 2.

Syllabus:

  • Research aims and objectives, critical analysis of a research problem, critical review of relevant literature and investigative design.
  • Research paper and proposal writing
  • Research project planning, testing, risk analysis, requirements and design.
  • Human factors in software engineering and computer science.
  • Experimental design and software evaluation.
  • Professional and academic standards and issues.
  • Legal, social and ethical issues in Computer Science and its research.

SCQF Level: 12.

Credits: 15.