FIT4045 Computing research project 1

This unit supports you to develop and begin an honours-level research project in an information technology, computer science, software engineering, or related computing context. It is designed to accommodate a broad range of research approaches, including systematic literature reviews, empirical studies, design-based research, technical investigations, prototype development, evaluation studies, computational experiments, case studies, and practice-based inquiry.

You will identify and refine a research topic, engage with relevant scholarly and technical literature, formulate research questions or objectives, and develop a coherent research plan. The unit emphasises the early stages of research: understanding the problem context, positioning the project within existing knowledge and practice, selecting appropriate methods, considering ethical and practical constraints, and preparing a feasible plan for investigation and contribution.

Depending on the nature of the project, you may begin activities such as literature synthesis, data collection preparation, prototype scoping, technical exploration, tool selection, study design, evaluation planning, or preliminary analysis. The unit supports you to document your research rationale, proposed methods, risks, milestones and expected contribution, while developing the course-specific capabilities needed to progress the project in the subsequent research unit.

Assessment is undertaken through a portfolio of work that scaffolds research progress and captures the development of the project over time. The portfolio may include research planning documents, annotated literature work, methodological notes, ethics or risk considerations, design artefacts, technical prototypes, data collection plans, analysis plans, supervisor feedback, reflective checkpoints, draft thesis sections and evidence of initial research activity. The portfolio supports you to demonstrate both the quality of your research plan and your progress toward an honours-level research contribution.