Comp Sci Research: Open Question & Literature Review.

Computer Science Research Specialism - Open Research Question and Literature Review

Learning Outcomes

This Assignment assesses the following module Learning Outcomes (from Definitive Module Document):

Knowledge and understanding:

1. Have a conceptual understanding of how established techniques of research are used to create and extend existing knowledge in computer science.

2. Be able to identify a research problem from synthesizing problem definitions from relevant literature.

3. Demonstrate originality in proposing alternative solutions within a chosen area.

Skills and attributes

4. Critically evaluate research literature and identify research problems to solve

5. Demonstrate ability to propose alternative approaches for future work in a chosen area.

LO6 Communicate research knowledge effectively in scholarly manner.

Aim: To provide exposure to research areas in Computer Science drawn from the Department’s research profile in order to provide preparatory ground for students to pursue a deeper investigation of a research topic as part of their Master’s project.

Your task

As part of this assignment you are required to produce an overview of your chosen research specialism and discuss a specific open research question within this specialism.

You will be expected to draw on the principles of research writing, literature review and research communication as introduced in the lectures.

You must also use your knowledge and understanding of the topic as supplemented by:

a. the module reading materials;

b. secondary research

Please use the Harvard Referencing System (see http://www.studynet2.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/LIS.nsf/lis/busharvard) to reference your sources.

Your report must include sections as described below. The word lengths are provided as guidance only, and no marks will be deducted specifically on the grounds of word length of each section.

1. Introduction of research specialism (approx. 150 words)

Provide a brief description of your chosen research specialism. This should be accessible to someone with a broad knowledge of computer science, but without any specific knowledge of this specialism.

2. Open research question (approx. 300 words)

Identify the research question discussed in the relevant subject specialist paper for this specialism. Describe this research question or problem in detail. Ensure that you describe why this question this is scientifically interesting and / or applicable to a real-world problem.

3. Existing and related work (approx. 400 words)

Provide a brief literature review of existing other work– i.e. not this paper – that has been done on this problem and on similar problems. Why does this existing other work not fully answer or solve these problems? What are some related open problems? You must make reference to existing work beyond that presented in the paper discussed by the subject specialist.

4. Research approach (approx. 400 words)

Describe the research methods which have been used in this paper to investigate this question. Evaluate the effectiveness of this research, considering both its advantages and disadvantages. Describe an approach you might take to build on this research to answer related open questions. Remember to draw on the principles of experimental design and theoretical / practical research as introduced in the lectures.

5. Personal investment (approx. 150 words)

Identify why you are interested in this specific research question, and why your personal strengths and experiences would fit you to carry out the research you have described.

6. References

You will need to include at least 10 references (the lecture material may count as one of these). You should use Harvard-style referencing, and your references do not count towards your word count.

Criteria

Fail / No merit

0-19

Clear Fail

20 - 39

Marginal Fail

40-49

Good / Pass

50-59

Very good

60-69

Excellent

70-79

Outstanding

80-100

Content

Report is factually incorrect in several major aspects and contains significant spelling / grammar and structural errors. References are wholly irrelevant, and inadequate to demonstrate a grasp of the material. Technical terms lacking, or frequently used incorrectly. Research skills demonstrate a clear lack of originality in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem. No appropriate techniques to use within the problem domain are described. Discussion of personal investment is absent, or no attempt to perform critical analysis of self and own behaviour.

Report has significant factual errors, in addition to containing spelling / grammar and structural errors. References are sometimes relevant, and inadequate to demonstrate a grasp of the material. Technical terms lacking, or frequently used incorrectly. Research skills do not demonstrate originality in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem. Most techniques described are inadequate to use within the problem domain, failing to demonstrate a grasp of overall expectations in : identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Discussion of personal investment is inadequate for purpose, with little or no attempt to perform critical analysis of self and own behaviour.

Report lacks some clarity and has significant grammar, spelling and structure errors. References are relevant, but inadequate to demonstrate a grasp of the material. Technical terms lacking, or sometimes used incorrectly. Research skills do not demonstrate adequate originality in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem. General use of inadequate techniques

to the problem domain, failing to meet overall expectations in : identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Discussion of personal investment is inadequate for purpose, with insufficient critical analysis of self and own behaviour.

Adequate clarity of writing, with several spelling / grammar errors and one or more structural errors. Adequate referencing, but does not go beyond the material presented in lecture slides. Use of technical terms is sometimes misleading, and research skills demonstrate adequate originality in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem. Adequate use of appropriate techniques

to the problem domain, meeting expectations in : identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Adequate discussion of personal investment, with room for improvement in critical analysis of self and own behavior.

Well-written with potentially several minor spelling / grammar or structural errors. Ideas presented with clarity. Good referencing, but some mistakes present either in references or use of technical terms. Research skills sometimes demonstrate originality and / or creativity in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem, as well as an adequate grasp of the application of any such solution to this. General use of appropriate techniques

to the problem domain, sometimes exceeding expectations in: identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Good discussion of personal investment, demonstrating adequate critical analysis of self and own behavior.

Fluently written with very few errors. Very minor grammar/spelling or structural errors. Ideas presented with excellent clarity.

Excellent referencing in text and generally minimal mistakes in use of technical terms. Research skills demonstrate originality and / or creativity in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem, as well as an excellent grasp of the application of any such solution to this. Excellent use of appropriate techniques

to the problem domain, frequently exceeding expectations in terms of identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Excellent discussion of personal investment, demonstrating critical analysis of self and own behavior and recognition of skills and strengths in conducting research.

Outstanding presentation and clarity. No

significant grammatical / spelling or structural errors. Ideas presented with exceptional clarity. Outstanding standard and breadth of referencing in text and few, if any, mistakes in use of technical terms. Research skills frequently demonstrate originality and creativity in approach to identifying and resolving an open problem, as well as an outstanding grasp of the application of any such solution to this.

Outstanding use of appropriate techniques

to the problem domain, consistently exceeding expectations identifying specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely, important and meaningful research solutions. Outstanding discussion of personal investment, demonstrating outstanding critical analysis of self and own behavior and recognition of the role of emotions, skills and strengths in conducting research.

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