Computing as a Profession: Key Issues and Benefits

Part 1: Report on Key Issues

You are to write a report of approximately 2000 words, identifying the key issues as to why computing should (or not) be a recognised profession.

Citing examples wherever possible, your report should include a discussion of the following issues:

• the role of so-called professional bodies and organisations;
• ethics in computing;
• computer law;
• copyright and intellectual property rights;
• the changing skills profile of computing personnel and the role of CPD (Continuing Professional Development);
• customer requirements and expectations;
• security issues;
• the changing nature of work.

Your report should also discuss how the professionalisation of computing could benefit those who work in these areas of employment and what subsequent impact there would be upon society in general.

Covering no more than two sides of A4 paper, and leaving out your name, you are to create a curriculum vitae for use with employment applications.

During the sessions delivered by library staff in this module you will have learnt more about different sources of academic information – how to search for sources effectively, evaluate them for relevance and appropriateness to your task, and how to reference them correctly.

Use the search, evaluation and referencing skills and techniques you have learnt in the sessions to:

Find two different academic information sources relevant to the research topic you are investigating in part 1. Choose 2 source types from the following list:

• eBooks and printed books
• Journals and eJournals
• Newspapers (print and online)
• Web pages
• Popular/professional/trade publications
• These should not be 2 sources of the same kind i.e. not two books, two web pages, two journal articles.

• The type of source.
• Where you found it.
• How you found it, listing the keywords and synonyms you used.
• Other methods you used to focus your search using the tools and refinements available in the search engine or resource.
• A correct APA reference for the source.
• A brief evaluation (250 words) of why this is a credible and appropriate source for academic work, using an evaluation tool such as the CRAAP test.

• You should submit the information sources assessment using the attached template below.

Identify two academic sources of information relevant to the research topic you have investigated in Part 1 of this assessment

What kind of information source is this? e.g. book, journal article, web page etc

Where did you find this? (name the resource where your source was found e.g. Google, Library Search, Library Catalogue)

How did you find this? List the search terms you used below

What other methods you used (as well as search terms) to focus your search?

In a short paragraph, of approximately 250 words, evaluate the information source and explain why it is appropriate to use in academic work.

What kind of information source is this? e.g. book, journal article, web page etc

Where did you find this? (name the resource where your source was found e.g. Google, Library Search, Library Catalogue)

How did you find this? List the search terms you used below

What other methods you used (as well as search terms) to focus your search?

Correct APA reference for this source:

In a short paragraph, of approximately 250 words, evaluate the information source and explain why it is appropriate to use in academic work.

1 The report is well presented and structured and has correct and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, spelling and referencing. [10 marks]

2 Coverage of topic is adequate, displaying familiarity and understanding of issues.[15 marks]

3 A range of relevant and appropriate sources will have been identified and used appropriately. [10 marks]

4 Evidence of appropriate perspective in coverage of topic.[5 marks]

5 Displayed capacity for objective assessment, using appropriate concepts and language.[15 marks]

6 Understanding and interpretation is appropriate, well organised and properly justified. [10 marks]

1 The document is well presented and structured. [5 marks]

2 The document has correct and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, spelling.