Zoek
English
  Studiegidsen 2008-2009
Radboud UniversiteitStudiegidsenFaculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde en Informatica > Master Computing Science

R&D: Research 1 

(Vakcode)
Course ID
I00159
(Studiepunten)
Credits
8
(Periode)
Scheduled
eerste semester
Introduction (Inleiding)

The course R&D: Research 1 (RDR1) is all about doing research.

The main question in this course is: when is research considered scientific? The answer is built around the ideas of formulating a good research question, embedding it in known research, using proper methods and using valid deduction techniques to draw conclusions.

Objectives (Leerdoelen)
After the course the student is able to:
  • Come up with a subject inside a given framework.
  • Formulate a good research question.
  • Write a research proposal that embeds the topic in a suitable context.
  • Know how a research question is split in subquestions, tasks and deliverables.
  • Know how to find scientific literature via the library.
  • Perform a literature study.
  • Combine the results found into a paper with a good structure.
  • Write a review report about a scientific paper.

Subjects (Onderwerpen)
The topic of the research itself is limited to some framework that might
be different each year. Some of the topics that have been used in the past:
  • XML
  • Exotic algorithms
Within this framework the topic is basically free.

Some explicit topics of the course itself:
  • How can you find scientific literature?
  • What are good research questions?
  • What are scientific methods for doing research?
  • What is a good review report?

Study investment (Studielastverdeling)
  • 26 hrs lecture
  • 4 hrs personal study counseling
  • 194 hrs individual study period
Teaching methods (Toelichting werkvormen)
During the course there are several general lectures where some theory is being explained. (Research methodology, library instruction, review process, etc.)

Furthermore, there will be some individual process meetings where students explain to the teacher the status of their research project.

But most of the time students are working by themselves on their project. In groups of two persons they have to write a proposal and actually perform the described tasks. Both the research proposal and the research results will be presented to the rest of the group.

Examination (Toetsvorm)

The final grade is a weighted average of all assignments during the course with the following weight factors:

  • Research proposal (15%)
  • Presentation of proposal (10%)
  • Draft paper (30%)
  • Referee report (10%)
  • Presentation of research results (10%)
  • Final paper (25%)
Activity and/or absence during obligatory presentation session can have effect on rounding the grades.
Pre-requisites (Vereiste voorkennis)
No specific knowledge is required, but the normal rules for following a master's course apply.
Literature (Literatuur)
Students have to find their own background literature for their specific topic.

Website
http://www.cs.ru.nl/~hubbers/courses/rdr1