Overview of MSc Research Specialisms: Part 1 and Part 2

Introduction of the research specialism

As part of this assignment you are required to produce an overview of two MSc research specialisms ( AI / Networking / Cyber Security / Software Engineering / Data Science) which are NOT the specialism you discussed in Assignment 1.

Your report must be in two parts:

The first research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%), and will count for 50% of the grade for this assignment.

You are required to discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this research specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on the existing research. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

The second research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%), and will count for 50% of the grade for this assignment.

Both Part 1 and Part 2 must include the following sections. The word lengths are provided as guidance only, and no marks will be deducted specifically on the grounds of word length of each section.

Provide a brief description of the first research specialism (Part 1) or second research specialism (Part 2) you have selected for this assignment. This should be accessible to someone with a broad knowledge of computer science, but without any specific knowledge of this specialism.

Identify the research question discussed in the relevant subject specialist lecture 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.

Provide a brief literature review of existing other work – i.e. not the research specialist 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.

Describe the research methods which have been used in the research specialist 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.

Identify how you might gain the necessary strengths and experiences which would help fit you for research in this area.

For both Part 1 and Part 2, 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 topics as supplemented by: