Master's Project Proposal Writing Guide - Computer Science

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

Knowledge and understanding:

LO1 Have a conceptual understanding of how established techniques of research are used to create and extend existing knowledge in computer science.

LO2 Be able to identify a research problem from synthesizing problem definitions from relevant literature.

LO3 Demonstrate originality in proposing alternative solutions within a chosen area.

Skills and attributes

LO4 Critically evaluate research literature and identify research problems to solve

LO5 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.

Assume that you are applying for the UH MSc/PhD scholarship programme and you have been asked to write a project proposal.

1. Write a report using the template given proposing an alternative solution/approach for a project available in. You may choose one of the published papers from any of the UH academic(s) as the base paper (you should not use any papers that we have used in the lecture/tutorials or in the main submission).
2. Complete the self-assessment checklist given in Table 2. Marking scheme is given in Table1. All work should be supported by a Title page showing the Modulecode, your name student number, MSc route and the words “Ref/Def Coursework: UH Research topic”,citations and adequate references (including approximately 15 or more high quality references) and appendices where required. The report structure/template is given in page 5 & 6.

Research area: A brief description of the area and the project Relation to Computer Science in general: What other areas in Computer Science

Science in general does the project relate to?

Research problem and research question: Identifying a research problem and a significant research question in this area

Research methods: What methods could be used to investigate this question. Evaluate the effectiveness of these methods

Alternative solution/approach: Propose an alternative solution/approach for future work.

How might this approach be generally beneficial to the society? Are there any possible negative implications?

Motivation to choose this paper as the base paper is discussed

Relation to computer science in general

Research problems and research question

Research problem/question critical analysis: review of the findings based on the literature review table (included in the appendix with content from 15 papers reviewed).

Specify your own area of work: Research problem and Research Question identified based on the critical analysis above (bulleted/numbered form) Identify and evaluate research methods used by other researchers

Gives an overall idea of what methodologies, tools and techniques other researchers have utilised to develop their solution based on the literature review table (included in the appendix with content from 15 papers reviewed).

Nature of manipulation/independent and dependent variables, Subjective and objective measures identified from the literature reviewed in the table

Critical analysis of the methodologies, tools and techniques summarising the findings from the literature review table with citations.

Motivation:

1. Chosen Base paper: (please give the full reference in Harvard referencing format):
2. UH Researcher: Name of the UH researcher and their UH research profile URL if available, otherwise a public research profile such as ResearchGate profile:
3. Summary of research: Summary of their area of research in your own words
4. Relation to your program: How does this paper/research work relate to your program of study/specialisation?
5. Motivation: What was your motivation to choose this paper as your base paper?
6. Title/research subject area
7. Research area: A brief description of the area
8. Relation to Computer Science in general: What other areas in Computer Science and Science in general does the area relate to?
9. Research problem and research question: Identifying a research problem and a significant research question in this area
10. Research methods: What methods could be used to investigate this question. Evaluate the effectiveness of these methods
11. Alternative solution/approach: Propose an alternative solution/approach for future work. How might this approach be generally beneficial to the society? Are there any possible negative implications?