ENGGEN 769 : Research Methods for Engineers

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Development of research methods knowledge and skills including research philosophy and design, research ethics, data collection and analysis techniques, identification of limitations, and writing up and reporting. Qualitative and quantitative research methods are addressed.

Course Requirements

Restriction: CHEMMAT 751, CIVIL 705, COMPSYS 700, ELECTENG 700, ENGGEN 721, ENGSCI 700, MECHENG 700, SOFTENG 700

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify appropriate solutions to ethical issues in relation to research (Capability 3 and 5)
  2. Deconstruct the components of a scientific paper so that the key components can be identified and interpreted (Capability 2)
  3. Create a component of a scientific paper or presentation that is clear, unambiguous and informative (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  4. Critically evaluate the quality of research and how it is presented (Capability 1 and 4)
  5. Identify and apply research methods appropriate for addressing a specific research question (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  6. Create and present a clear, concise and persuasive research brief tailored for staff and postgraduate students in your department (Capability 1 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Academic integrity module Individual Coursework
Writing an abstract 15% Individual Coursework
Paper reading and critiquing 30% Individual Coursework
Analysing data and presenting results 35% Individual Coursework
Research brief presentation and critique 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Academic integrity module
Writing an abstract
Paper reading and critiquing
Analysing data and presenting results
Research brief presentation and critique

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect two hours of lectures, a one-hour tutorial, three hours of reading and thinking about the content and four hours of work on assignments each week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Lectures will be delivered face-to-face with recordings of the lectures uploaded and available for viewing shortly after the sessions.  For most of the sessions, pre-recordings will also be available on the core lecture material. Weekly tutorial sessions will be held face-to-face.  There will also be the option to attend an on-line tutorial session at  a different time. Students are expected to attend one of the tutorial session during the allocated time slot.

Online (for students overseas)

Lectures will be delivered via an on-line  sessions with recordings of these sessions uploaded and available for viewing shortly after the sessions.  For most of the sessions, pre-recordings will also be available  on the core lecture material. Weekly tutorial sessions will be held on-line. Students are expected to attend the tutorial session during the allocated time slot. 

 

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. 
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. 
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 15/07/2021 10:35 a.m.