Computing Research Project (L5) BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing Aim & Objective This coursework is designed to demonstrate the broad understanding and knowledge of the module, assessing and evaluating the student’s strength and level of analysis; divided into four learning outcomes

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Computing Research Project (L5)
BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing

Aim & Objective

This coursework is designed to demonstrate the broad understanding and knowledge of the module, assessing and evaluating the student’s strength and level of analysis; divided into four learning outcomes. The coursework should be submitted as one document in a report format in final submission.

Assignment Scenario:

The Pearson-set theme for Computing Research Project is.

The environmental impact of digital transformation

The amount of data created and stored globally is expected to reach 175 Zettabytes by 2025, a six[1]fold increase from 2018. This will demand additional hardware and power consumption, which; in  turn, will increase the environmental impact of the digital sector and there is already increasing  attention on the environmental footprint of ICT equipment and services as they become more  widespread in all aspects of human life.

It is the responsibility of everyone to take action in addressing the challenges of climate change, as  professionals we must also seek ways that the digital sector can play its part. While digital technologies are one of the sectors that has achieved greater efficiency; achieving about 100 times  more computation power from the same amount of energy per decade, it remains unsustainable.

The sector must continue to seek ways in which it can continue to support and drive innovation, while  addressing the global climate emergency for a greener and fairer future.  Students are to choose their own research topic for this unit. Strong research projects are those with clear, well focused and defined objectives. A central skill in selecting a research objective is the ability to select a suitable and focused research objective.

The range of topics discussed could cover the following:

• The use of modern methods to reduce carbon emissions in IT network systems.

• The impact of cloud data centres on the environment.

• The environmental implications of e-waste and ways to reduce it.

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The research objective should allow students to broaden their understanding and widen their

perspective of being able to explore, argue, prove, and/or disprove a particular objective. The

research objective should be feasible, novel, ethical, relevant and ultimately of interest to the

student.

Students are to submit as evidence for the unit in addition to their project findings, the research

proposal and ethics form. The research proposal sets out the plan for how the students will

achieve the intended research objective(s) and shows whether the objective will be feasible, ethical

and achievable in the time scale. It sets out how secondary research supports the research

objective, how the research will be conducted, how the research will be evaluated. Students will

need to gain ethical approval before commencing their research, this will be discussed with the

tutor during the research proposal.

Part 1:

Consider the development of a methodical, ethical, reliable and valid research proposal as the

foundation for the project. The proposal should be agreed with your tutor prior to undertaking any

research. Proposal and ethical forms should also be agreed and completed. An ethics form must

be submitted prior to completion of research as part of the research proposal.

The project topic should reflect personal interest in a specialism and should allow for a sufficient

degree of research through the existence of adequate background materials.

The framework of your proposal should address a specific research problem or question. This can

be stated as a research question, objectives or hypothesis.

As guidance, a good project proposal and project title should have an existing body of literature or

source material that can be reviewed. In addition, it should extend the current line of learning,

lending itself to further rigorous exploration. You should decide on appropriate research methods

and select an appropriate sample. Finally, provide a literature review that identifies the background

and conceptualisation of your proposed area of study. This would provide existing knowledge and

benchmarks by which your data can be judged.

Part 2:

You should conduct your research as outlined in your proposal and keep track of your findings as

you progress.

The research methodology and research process, should be considered and clearly defined,

demonstrating an understanding of the pitfalls and limitations of the methods chosen and ethical

issues that could be encountered.

Conduct your research, analyse your findings and draw conclusions. Research methods should be

applied to evaluate the data collected from primary research sources. Your research and analysis

of your findings should be specific to your original research question, from which conclusions can

be drawn.

Reflect on the success of your research project and your performance at the end of the project with

the inclusion of a project evaluation and recommendations. In addition, based on the results of

your study, what alternative research methodologies would you use in future to improve the

results?

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Appendices

Note: You should attach all the supporting documents as a separate file in the appendix section of

your assignment. Without appropriate evidence(s) your assignment will not be marked.

• Proposal

• Ethic form

• Completed questioner (if it is used)

• Collected data

• Any other document(s) requested by tutor

Relevant Information

To gain a Pass in a BTEC HND Unit, you must meet ALL the Pass criteria; to gain a Merit, you must meet

ALL the Merit and Pass criteria; and to gain a Distinction, you must meet ALL the Distinction, Merit and Pass

criteria.

1. Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the

LO1 & 2

D1 Critically evaluate

research

methodologies and

processes in

application to a

computing research

project to justify

chosen research

methods and analysis.

research process

P1 Produce a research proposal that

clearly defines a research question or

hypothesis supported by a literature

review.

M1 Evaluate different research

approaches and methodology and make

justifications for the choice of methods

P2 Examine appropriate research methods selected based on

and approaches to primary and secondary

research.

philosophical/theoretical frameworks.

LO2 Conduct and analyse research relevant for a computing research project

P3 Conduct primary and secondary

research using appropriate methods for a

computing research project that consider

costs, access and ethical issues.

M2 Discuss merits, limitations and

pitfalls of approaches to data collection

P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools and analysis.

analyse research findings and data.

LO3 Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders

D2 Communicate

P5 Communicate research outcomes in an

appropriate manner for the intended

audience.

M3 Coherently and logically

communicate outcomes to the intended

audience demonstrating how outcomes

meet set research objectives.

critical analysis of the

outcomes and make

valid, justified

recommendations.

LO4 Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts D3 Demonstrate

reflection and

engagement in the

resource process

leading to

P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research

methods applied for meeting objectives of

the business research project.

M4 Provide critical reflection and insight

that results in recommended actions for

improvements and future research

considerations.

P7 Consider alternative research recommended actions

methodologies and lessons learnt in view for future

of the outcomes. improvement.

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2. Preparation guidelines of the Coursework Document

a. All coursework must be word processed.

b. Avoid using “Text box” in writing your assignment.

c. Document margins must not be more than 2.54 cm (1 inch) or less than 1.9cm (3/4 inch).

d. Font size must be within the range of 10 point to 14 points including the headings and body text (preferred

font size is 11) in Arial.

e. Standard and commonly used type face, such as Arial and Times New Roman, should be used.

f. All figures, graphs and tables must be numbered.

g. Material taken from external sources must be properly referred and cited within the text using Harvard

system

h. Do not use Wikipedia as a reference.

3. Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism or collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the College regulations. In this

context the definitions and scope of plagiarism and collusion are presented below:

Plagiarism is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes copying information directly from

the Web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort.

Collusion is copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from another student and

submitting it as your own work.

Suspected plagiarism or collusion will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with

according to the College procedure (For details on Plagiarism & Collusion please see the Student

Handbook).

4. Submission

a. Initial submission of coursework to the tutors is compulsory in each unit of the course.

b. The student must check their assignments on ICON VLE with plagiarism software Turnitin to make

sure the similarity index for their assignment stays within the College approved level. A student can

check the similarity index of their assignment up to five times in the Draft Assignment submission

point located in the home page of the ICON VLE.

c. All Final coursework must be submitted to the Final submission point into the Unit (not to the Tutor).

The student would be allowed to submit only once and that is the final submission.

d. Any computer files generated such as program code (software), graphic files that form part of the

coursework must be submitted as an attachment to the assignment with all documentation.

e. Any portfolio for a Unit must be submitted as an attachment in the assignment

5. Good practice

a. Make backup of your work in different media (hard disk, memory stick, etc.) to avoid distress due to loss

or damage of your original copy.

6. Extension and Late Submission

a. If you need an extension for a valid reason, you must request one using an Exceptional Extenuating

Circumstances (EEC) form available from the Examination Office and ICON VLE. Please note that the tutors do not have the authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a coursework extension. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick, and should be submitted to the Examination Office.

b. Late submission will be accepted and marked according to the College procedure. It should be noted

that late submission may not be graded for Merit and Distinction.

c. All late coursework must be submitted to the Late submission point into the unit (not to the Tutor)

in the ICON VLE. A student is allowed to submit only once and that is also treated as the final

submission.

d. If you fail in the Final or Late submission, you can resubmit in the Resubmission window.

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7. Submission deadlines

Formative feedback Up to week 12

Final Submission 9-14 January 2023

Late submission 16- 21 January 2023

Submit to: Online to the ICON VLE only

Glossary:

Analyse: Break an issue or topic into smaller parts by looking in depth at each part. Support each part with arguments and evidence for and against (Pros and cons)

Evaluate: When you evaluate you look at the arguments for and against an issue.

Critically Evaluate/Analyse: When you critically evaluate you look at the arguments for and against an issue. You look at the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments. This could be from an article you read in a journal or from a text book.

Discuss: When you discuss you look at both sides of a discussion. You look at both sides of the arguments.

Then you look at the reason why it is important (for) then you look at the reason why it is important (against).

Explain: When you explain you must say why it is important or not important.

Describe: When you give an account or representation of in words.

Identify: When you identify you look at the most important points.

Define: State or describe the nature, scope or meaning.

Implement: Put into action/use/effect

Compare: Identify similarities and differences

Explore: To find out about

Recommend: Suggest/put forward as being appropriate, with reasons why