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Unit outline_

INFO4990: Computer Science Research Methods

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will provide an overview of the different research methods that are used in Computer Science. Students will learn to find and evaluate research on their topic and to present their own research plan or results for evaluation by others, write a literature review, learn about research quality metrics and ethics. This unit of study is required for students in Computer Science who are enrolled in a research project as part of their Honours degree, and for students starting their research degree (PhD, MPhil) in the School of Computer Science.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Students must satisfy Honours admission requirements
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
INFO4444 or INFO5993
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kalina Yacef, kalina.yacef@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) James Phung, james.phung@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment A1. Annotated bibliography and database search result, Identifying top research community/venues, identifying valid Research Problems
In PDF format, through Canvas/Turnitin and to supervisor
15% Week 05
Due date: 26 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Sep 2024
Multiple Weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Assignment A2. Literature review and Outline of research proposal
Literature review and Outline of research proposal
35% Week 10
Due date: 07 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 Oct 2024
Multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO11
Presentation hurdle task Slides and oral presentation
Slides and oral presentation of research topic, peer reviews
50% Week 11
Due date: 13 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO11 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1 [15%] - Setting Research Context: List of top conferences and journals, main research groups, two exemplary papers, two or three open research problems in the field, annotated bibliography of core relevant articles.

Assignment 2 [35%]: Literature review and outline of research proposal.

Assignment 3 [50%]:

 

3a: Oral presentation of research project (35%)

3b: Peer reviews (15%)

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assignments: Penalty is 5% of the maximum allowable marks per day, maximum 7 days. Presentation: There will be no re-scheduling of presentations, unless special consideration is approved; students must abide to the day and time indicated on the presentation schedule or will receive 0.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to CS Research Methods Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Information gathering; Build an annotated bibliography Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 03 Research ethics & IP consideration; Common types of CS research Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 04 Structure of academic papers; CS research methods part 1 (Statistical methods for CS research) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO11
Week 05 How to Write a Literature Review and research proposal Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO11
Week 06 CS research methods part 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8 LO9
Week 07 CS research methods part 3; Panel Q+A with academics and HDR students Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Mastering oral presentations workshop (Learning Hub); How to give peer reviews for oral presentations; Lecture (2 hr) LO10 LO11
Week 09 Peer Review Workshop on Literature Review assignment drafts Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO11
Week 11 Student presentations and peer feedback Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 12 Student presentations and peer feedback Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 13 Student presentations and peer feedback Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

These will be posted in Canvas as the semester progresses.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of major approaches used in CS research and ability to apply one or more to own project
  • LO2. plan a program of research in Computer Science
  • LO3. perform a critical evaluation of research work
  • LO4. retrieve academic literature on a specific topic and identify top journals, conferences, research groups on this topic
  • LO5. produce a literature survey for a field of CS research
  • LO6. write and present a research proposal
  • LO7. understand ethical practices and copyrights
  • LO8. read research literature and understand how the described work fits into one or more research approaches
  • LO9. understand the nature of CS research and how research is evaluated
  • LO10. Understand scientific peer reviewing and how to give constructive feedback
  • LO11. Communicate research ideas and proposal in a clear, effective way in oral and written form

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Added workshops on "Clear writing" and "Mastering oral presentations"

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.