Define here the original reasons for the introduction of the unit

This unit is a research unit and a requirement for the degree Bachelor of Business Systems (Honours). The research component has been previously included with the course work units under one code. It is proposed that from semester 1, 2005, the research unit (called the thesis) to be represented as a separate unit. This will enable the individual grades and marks for the coursework and thesis to be provided in student result transcripts. It will also enable the better administration and control of the research unit.

The research unit makes up the major component (30 points out of a required 48 points) for the Bachelor of Business Systems (Honours) degree.

The proposed unit is related to other FIT Honours thesis units, but will differ on the type and topics of the projects selected (projects will focus on the research objectives and expertise of the School of Business Systems).

On completion of the unit students should :

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the area of their chosen research project.
2. Acquire necessary skills to plan and undertake rigorous independent research.
3. Acquire comprehensive research skills in the business IT field.
4. Develop the capacity to engage in critical thinking and analysis.
5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate research activities and findings.

A student completing this unit will acquire knowledge and comprehension of the area during the literature survey and problem description stages (objective 1 and demonstrated in objective 5). Since the student has to demonstrate sound design and testing in practical projects, innovative problem solving in theoretical projects, intellectual skills of application and analysis will be demonstrated and tested. The student is required to finally demonstrate the research outcome as a contribution (application or theoretical) which will require skills in synthesis and evaluation.

Each prospective Honours student should reach an agreement with a potential supervisor about a research area for, and feasibility of, Honours project before enrolling in the course. The student and supervisor will agree on a project which is interesting for both parties. Affective domain objectives of receiving phenomena, responding phenomena and valuing are satisfied during the above mentioned project selection and feasibility phases. Organisation and internalising values objectives are satisfied with the main objectives 1-4, specifically the requirements of correctness and completeness, sound design and Innovative and independent problem solving.

Psychomotor Domain Objectives perception, set and guided response will be satisfied with the requirements for good program design, thorough experimentation, thesis preparation and the final presentation. Program development and other implementation and also the thesis preparation will provide the students with skills satisfying the mechanism objective. Involvement in regular supervisory meetings (where the on-going work will be evaluated, demonstrated and justified) and the final presentation (where there will be a question answer session), will satisfy the requirements of complex overt response and adaptation objectives.

Supervision and guidance on research program : main objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4

Presentation and final thesis (normally 10,000-12,000 words): 100%

Practical components will be judged for quality in one or more of the following categories:

• Correctness and completeness
• Sound design
• Testing
• Ease of use
• Documentation

Theoretical components will be judged for quality in one or more of the following categories:

• Formal correctness
• Problem understanding
• Innovative and independent problem solving
• Conceptual elegance and simplicity

(Objectives 1-4)

The thesis will encompass a literature review, a formal statement of the research problem and a description of the research methodology employed. The assessment of the thesis will be used to gauge the student?s level of understanding of the research topic (objective 1 and 2). The thesis will also demonstrate the experimentation carried out to understand the problem and explore different solutions and finally demonstrate, justify and communicate a possible solution (objectives 2, 3 and 4). Finally the assessment, thesis and presentation will also determine the level of research and communication skills acquired (objectives 4 and 5).

The criteria for evaluating the thesis is as follows:

• Structured presentation
• Clear formulation of research objective(s) and methodology
• Clear definition of important terms and concepts discussed in the project report
• Clear demonstration of how the project relates to relevant published work
• Appropriate use of references

(Objective 5)

30

12 hours per week for 13 weeks in semester 1, 48 hours per week for 13 weeks in semester 2.

None

None

None

Sufficient Business Systems academic staff to supervise students.

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc:

To be provided by the School as required for individual projects.

100% School of Business Systems

NA

None

None

Admission to the Bachelor of Business Systems (Honours) program.