Module COMP54415: Research Methods and Ethics in Computer Science

Department: Computer Science

COMP54415: Research Methods and Ethics in Computer Science

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To equip students with essential research skills and ethical considerations relevant to the field of Computer Science.
• To enable students to apply research methodologies and ethical principles learnt to their individual projects.

Content

• Introduction to research methods
• Academic Literature reviews
• Research integrity and ethical conduct
• Ethics for computer science and Bias in AI
• Principles of experimental design
• Human-centred Design methodology overview
• Quantitative methods and statistical analysis
• Qualitative methods and content analysis
• Academic writing and peer review

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
• an understanding of research methods required for conducting a research-based project.
• an understanding and critical reflection of ethical principles underpinning the application of computational methods and data science in societal context.

• By the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate an ability to:
• critically review and analyse the current literature relevant to the research problem.
• design an appropriate research methodology for a given problem and in doing so evaluate the strengths and weakness of the qualitative and quantitative research methods to be used.
• engage in a peer review process that involves the critical review of academic works.
• assess professional, legal, social and ethical issues relating to research and project work.
• present properly referenced documents, with citations, references and bibliographies.
• exercise critical self-evaluation.

• By the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
• an ability to offer an informed critique of a problem and solution.
• effective communication of general and specialised Computer Science concepts (written, verbal, presentational).
• advanced problem-solving skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures enable students to learn the core material and practical classes will support the development of the group work, including journal club sessions, and offer opportunities for students to apply the learning from lectures. Later sessions will be dedicated to supporting research proposal development, with instructors on hand to offer guidance.
• Summative assessments include a mid-term bench test to assess comprehension of the topics covered and a group project where students apply the learnt concepts to develop a research proposal and complete an ethics approval application process. Projects can be selected from a list of suggestions or groups can propose their own proposal.
• Students will take an individual in-class test in week 5, and complete a group report and group presentation in week 10.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Via computer classes.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University