10625 (v.3) Research Methodology 681

Area:

Department of Spatial Sciences

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

5.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 3 Hours Weekly

Other Requisite(s):

Admission: to Postgraduate Spatial Science program

Syllabus:

Covers the broad spectrum of conducting and managing research in science and engineering disciplines. Stages and progression of research projects - locating research information, bibliography creation, critical reviews of the published literature, correct citation and referencing styles, research problem identification, design and preparation of research proposals, hypothesis formulation and testing, experimental design, questionnaire design. Quantitative data analysis - data sampling strategies, errors,statisitical hypothesis testing, significance, regression and correlation, graphing techniques, applied data analysis using computer software, interpretation of research results. History and philosophy of science - induction, deduction, falsification, paradigms of science. Ethical and fraudulent behaviour in research. Dissemination of research results - principles of scientific writing, oral presentations, thesis production, publication of papers in journals, presentation at conferences.

Unit Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students will have - Become familiar with the many aspects related to performing research in both academic and industrial environments. Following completion the student will be aware of how to perform research, how to conduct a thorough literature review, how to formulate a research proposal, and how to communicate research results.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Bloom M., (1986), The Experience of Research, MacMillan. Bouma G.D., (2000), The Research Process, 4th ed, Oxford University Press. Gibbings J.C, (ed)., (1986), The Systematic Experiment, Cambridge University Press. Kumar R., (1996), Research Methodology- A Step by Step Guide for Beginners, Longman. Parsons T and Knight P., (1995), How to do Your Dissertation in Geography and Related Disciplines, Chapman and Hall. Sullivan J.W.N., (1938), The Limitations of Science, Pelican. Valiela I., (2001), Doing Science - Design, Analysis, and Communication of Scientific Research, Oxford University Press.

Unit Texts:

Chalmers A., (1999), What is This Thing Called Science?, 3rd ed, University of Queensland Press. Leedy P.D and Ormrod J.E., (2001), Practical Research - Planning and Design, 7th ed, Prentice-Hall.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Minor Assignments 60%, Major Assignments 40%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y