IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal

IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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CEM – Coursework Brief 2021/22
Module name: Research, Ethics, and Professionalism in
Computing
Module code: IMAT5262
Title of the Assignment: Research Proposal
This coursework item is: Summative
This summative coursework will be marked anonymously No
The learning outcomes that are assessed by this coursework are:
1. A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems in the
area of ethical and social effects of computing.
2. A critical evaluation of the traditional remedies to these problems, including professional
ethics, codes of conduct, stakeholder approaches, traditional ethical deliberation and others.
3. To develop an understanding of dominant research approaches and applied this
understanding by independently selecting a relevant research topic.
This coursework is: Individual
This coursework constitutes 60% to the overall module mark.
Date Set: 11/03/22 @ 12pm noon
Date & Time Due: 13/05/22 @ 12pm noon
In accordance with the University Assessment and Feedback Policy
(https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/quality-management-and-policy/academic-quality/learningteaching-assessment/assessment-feedback-policy.aspx), your marked coursework and feedback
will be available to you on: 10/06/22
You should normally receive feedback on your coursework by no later than 20 working days after
the formal hand-in date, provided that you have met the submission deadline. If for any reason this is
not forthcoming by the due date your module leader will let you know why and when it can be expected.
The Associate Professor Student Experience (CEMstudentexperience@dmu.ac.uk) should be informed
of any issues relating to the return of marked coursework and feedback.
When completed you are required to submit your coursework to:
Blackboard VLE through the Turnitin submission portal
Late submission of coursework policy: Late submissions will be processed in accordance
with current University regulations (https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/quality-management-andpolicy/academic-quality/academic-regulations-assessment-boards/academic-regs-assessment-boardhomepage.aspx) which state:
“the time period during which a student may submit a piece of work late without authorisation and
have the work capped at 40% [50% at PG level] if passed is 14 calendar days. Work submitted
unauthorised more than 14 calendar days after the original submission date will receive a mark of 0%.
These regulations apply to a student’s first attempt at coursework. Work submitted late without
authorisation which constitutes reassessment of a previously failed piece of coursework will always
receive a mark of 0%.”
Academic Offences and Bad Academic Practices:
These include plagiarism, cheating, collusion, copying work and reuse of your own work, poor
referencing or the passing off of somebody else’s ideas as your own. If you are in any doubt about what
constitutes an academic offence or bad academic practice you must check with your tutor. Further
information and details of how DSU can support you, if needed, is available at:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-support-office/academicoffences.aspx and http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-supportoffice/bad-academic-practice.aspx
Tasks to be undertaken: See (following) attached document.
IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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Deliverables to be submitted for assessment: See (following) attached document.
How the work will be marked: See (following) attached document.
Module leader/tutor name: Salimah Mohamed
Contact details: Salimah.mohamed@dmu.ac.uk
Should you need any further information or advice please email
cemadvicecentre@dmu.ac.uk
IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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Coursework Assignment: The Research Proposal
IMAT5262: Research, Ethics, and Professionalism in Computing
About this assessment
The Research proposal component comprises 60% of the Final Module mark.
The project proposal should be approximately 3000 words long, excluding
references and appendices.
Task Description
In order to cover the topics of the module, this coursework assignment will
consist of an extended research proposal. The topic of the proposal is to be
selected from the list of approved topics located on Blackboard under the
assessment tab. These topics will be within the broad area of the module, i.e.
social and ethical consequences of computing and information technology.
Students should then commence detailed research on the topic originating in
one of the prescribed weekly reading papers, undertake a literature review and
develop a suitable methodology that would enable a suitable structured,
scientific approach to follow in proposing to answer the research question.
The structure of the proposal must include all the following sections:
• Title
• Abstract
• Table of Content
• Background or Introduction (explaining the academic/research rationale)
• Research question (should be clear, focused, unambiguous, achievable)
formulated from an identification of a gap in the literature or as an ethical
(business) dilemma.
• Review of relevant literature, which demonstrates through critical analysis
and synthesis that the research question covers a gap in the literature.
• Critical review of applicable research methodologies, which discusses
available methodologies with regards to the research question and issues of
data collection and analysis. The choice of methodology must be clearly
justified.
• Detailed project plan
• Relevant references
• Appendices
o (appendices should be used to provide the research instrument or
equivalent, e.g. a survey, case study protocol, interview plan,
observation plan etc.)
IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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o Consideration of ethical issues should also be included in appendices
(use of the ethical review forms available in the Research Proposal
Folder
It should use the Harvard style of referencing and it CANNOT use Internet
references (this does not rule out academic journal references which are
accessible through the DMU resources and library web site).
Submission
The proposal must be submitted in electronic form to the plagiarism detection
system “Turnitin” built into Blackboard.
You are strongly advised to re-consider your re-sit submission if the Turnitin
index returns a score greater than 20%.
Required Readings
The module readings can be used as a starting point to define the research question
and give an overview of methodology:
Oates, Briony (2005): Researching Information Systems and Computing. SAGE
Himma, Ken & Tavani, Herman (eds.) (2008): Handbook of Computer and Information
Ethics. Wiley.
Journals
1. Information, Communication, Ethics and Society
(www.emeraldinsight.com/info/journals/jices/jices.jsp)
2. ETHICOMP Journal (http://www.ccsr.cse.dmu.ac.uk/journal/)
3. International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction
(http://www.swetswise.com/eAccess/viewTitleIssues.do?titleID=324829)
Important Note
Please note that for the purpose of this course work, you are required to write a
research proposal only, which includes a literature review background on your
research topic, a literature review background on research methodologies, and a
project plan (i.e. using a Gantt Chart) for all tasks -and their durations- that you
would need to do to conduct your research. However, you are not asked to carry out
the research, i.e. you do not have to collect or analysis any data.
IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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Assessment Criteria
The following criteria show how you will be assessed for the submitted work:
Main Report (60%)
Presentation and structure of report
The report is professionally written and presented; contains sections, page numbering and
cross-referencing, a table of contents. It also demonstrates good grammar and spelling and
is an appropriate length etc.
Research Question
Research question (should be clear, focused, unambiguous, achievable) formulated from an
identification of a gap in the literature or as an ethical (business) dilemma.
Background and justification. Understanding the research topic
Background, context setting and justification for research question. Appropriate
understanding and application of the research topic. Excellent insight into the significance of
the research.
Review of literature – quality and selection of evidence
Review of relevant literature, which demonstrates through critical analysis and synthesis that
the research question covers a gap in the literature. Critical appraisal of a wide range of
literature resources (all referenced appropriately). Evidence is detailed, appropriate and
relevant and fully supports the discussion.
Research Methods
Critical review of applicable research methodologies, which discusses available
methodologies with regards to the research question and issues of data collection and
analysis. The choice of methodology must be clearly justified.
Critical analysis
Excellent attempt to analyse and discuss the evidence, very thorough. Literature critically
discussed with clear arguments. Reflective/mature approach.
Conclusions
Clear conclusions made; conclusions answer the research question.
Conclusions/recommendations are justified. Future research streams discussed;
limitations of the research formally identified; implications for practice and/or further research
identified
Referencing
Proper referencing, according to DMU guidelines, clearly distinguishing own work from
others
Appendices (25%)
The research instrument
Selected documentation is appropriate to the selected research methods or equivalent e.g. a
survey, case study protocol, interview plan, observation plan etc.
Samples of ethics documentation
Research ethics procedures were adhered to. Selected informed consent forms and
participant information sheets are included and appropriate (anonymised)
IMAT5262 Research Ethics & Professionalism in Computing Research Proposal
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Project Management (15%)
Project Plan
Excellent insight, thoroughly detailed plan, realistic timescale, extremely well documented.
Clear view for a well-run project.