UnitLevel 4Undergraduate and Postgraduate

FIT4005 Research methods in information technology

Faculty of Information Technology

FIT4005 Research methods in information technology is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate and postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield, Malaysia and Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 1, Semester 2
Caulfield, Malaysia, Clayton
Assessment
No exam
1 task
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.

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Requisites

Before FIT4005

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

Enrolment rules

Prerequisite: Foundation knowledge in computer science or business information systems or information technology and systems fundamentals.

For students enrolled in E3001, E3002, E3005, E3010, E3011, E3007: completion of 144 credit points of study in the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) degree.

Prohibition: ITW4001, IMS5036, IMS4036, BUS5000, CSE4910, GCO4010, CSE4650, FIT2083*, FIT2084 FIT5125, FIT5143, FIT5185, FIT5190, FZA4005

* BCS Honours students who have completed FIT2083 are exempt from completing FIT4005 as part of their Honours study but must select an alternative unit with the approval of their course director. However, FIT4005 remains the preferred research methods unit option for BCS Honours students.

Overview

This unit exposes students to research across the range of IT sub-disciplines. It provides broad coverage of the issues, concepts, methods and techniques associated with Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Information Management research. It introduces students to major research paradigms, the principles of research design, research ethics, and research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to IT research generally and to their sub-discipline specifically. It covers oral, written, online and video research communication skills. Skills developed and knowledge acquired from this unit will prepare students to conduct and communicate their own research, as well as to be knowledgeable and critical interpreters of research more generally.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterCaulfieldOn campus
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus
First semester (Fully flex)CaulfieldFlexible
Second semesterClaytonOn campus
Second semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • In-semester assessment
    100%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Review and critique research literature (from a wide range of sources), research designs and research findings in a sub-discipline of IT;

  2. 2

    Communicate research findings orally and in writing, online and using video, in research and industry settings;

  3. 3

    Explain the ethical and professional issues that may arise in IT research and demonstrate them in practice;

  4. 4

    Identify and explain major research philosophies and paradigms;

  5. 5

    Evaluate, select and justify research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to particular research designs and projects in sub-disciplines of IT;

  6. 6

    Analyse and describe the technical, professional and socio-economic contexts that motivate research, and the implications of research outcomes;

  7. 7

    Design and carry out a rigorous and ethical research project and produce a report explaining the project, its design and interpretation of the results;

  8. 8

    Apply research skills to operate effectively as a member of a research project team.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops36 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.

Where it fits

FIT4005 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2020 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Associate Professor Ting Chee Ming
Dr Tan Chee Keong
Chief Examiners
Professor Patrick Olivier
Dr Tom Bartindale

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for FIT4005?

FIT4005 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after FIT4005?

FIT4005 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including FIT4007 and FIT4448.

When is FIT4005 offered?

In 2020, FIT4005 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield, Malaysia and Clayton.

How much work is FIT4005?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does FIT4005 have an exam?

No. FIT4005 has 1 assessment task and no exam.

Which majors and minors include FIT4005?

FIT4005 is part of Computational science and Software engineering.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
4
Study level
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Information Technology
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
2020202120222023202420252026