RSCH09038 2021 Data Science Research Thesis

Manage an independent research project with a support structure in place for supervision. 

Source and critically evaluate academic literature (and literature from other appropriate sources), draw inferences from this body of knowledge, and conduct an extensive literature review. 

Develop and justify a coherent research proposal with an acceptable research question or hypothesis to further knowledge and understanding of a Data Science problem.  

Develop and execute a research strategy, design and project plan, incorporating consideration of research and technical ethics. 

Select, apply and critically evaluate research methods and techniques, and analyse data according to accepted models of analysis. 

Communicate the research process and findings via a written thesis, which meets postgraduate standards of technical expertise. 

Reflect self‑critically and express the relevance and significance of the outcomes/conclusions of an inquiry and of the research process itself.  

Demonstrate professional practice skills including research integrity, time-management, technical writing and oral communication skills. 

The thesis is an independent research project that will involve self‑directed learning in a core topic related to the programme. Students will avail of one to one supervision with a designated supervisor. This is a learner-centred approach where the learner assumes responsibility for learning. Regular meetings with their supervisor will engage the student in discussion which will deepen their learning and motivation. Critical thinking skills will be developed through analysis of research data and the presentation of research outcomes in the format of thesis, presentation and viva.

The student will complete the research thesis over 3 semesters, meeting with their supervisor for one hour each week during these 3 semesters. This will be over semesters 3, 4 and 5 of the overall programme.

At the end of semesters 3 and 4, the student will present work (a paper and/or presentation) on their progress to date to their peers and other academic staff in the Institute (and any other relevant stakeholders) in order to demonstrate and critically reflect on their progress and to receive feedback, insights and guidance. At the end of semester 5 the student will submit their final thesis and attend a viva voce to be assessed by an external examiner and an internal examiner.

As applications might raise challenging legal and ethical issues, it is essential that students are aware of the need for critical reflection on solutions, including how emerging ethical, legal or research reliability/validity issues could be articulated and dealt with.  These interim presentations offer opportunities for projects to be critically scrutinised, and feedback given to ensure that ethical issues are fully considered.  In addition, project proposals will also be submitted to the IT Sligo research ethics committee for clearance.

To undertake the research project successfully, students must fully engage with their research supervisor and manage their time effectively to ensure completion of their project work.

Assessment of this module will be based on:

1. Thesis including a critical literature review of the research topic.  This will be submitted at the end of the third semester of the project.
2. Viva voce. The viva voce will be at the end of the third semester of the project.
3. At the end of the first and second semesters of the project, students will submit a progress paper and present their projects to their peers, academic staff and other relevant stakeholders. These will serve as significant milestones for the students and enable critical reflection and  feedback on their progress to date. It will also serve as an opportunity to ensure that projects are subject to critical scrutiny to identify any (possibly unforeseen) ethical or legal issues with the work.

Where a learner fails this module the Examiners will identify where the deficits in learning occurred. The learner will then have an opportunity to address these deficits and resubmit the project for a full re-examination, the next time this module is examined. 

LO1: Manage an independent research project with a support structure in place for supervision.    

This module is undertaken by learners over 3 semesters. The master’s thesis should focus on a data science problem and on applying the knowledge the student has learned during the MSc courses to solve that problem. Thesis topic and content will be negotiated with the supervisor, and refined throughout the course of the thesis.

LO2: Source and critically evaluate academic literature (and literature from other appropriate sources), draw inferences from this body of knowledge, and conduct an extensive literature review.   

Students are expected to critically review key literature relevant to their chosen research area.

LO3: Develop and justify a coherent research proposal with an acceptable research question or hypothesis to further knowledge and understanding of a Data Science problem. 

Students will formulate a research question/hypotheses/research objectives appropriate to their chosen problem area.

LO4: Develop and execute a research strategy, design and project plan, incorporating consideration of research and technical ethics, where appropriate.             

Students will formulate a research strategy, design and plan appropriate to the question they have chosen, to be submitted to the supervisor. Ethical and legal issues relating to data collection and integration should be identified and addressed at this stage.

Learners will be expected to explore ethical dilemmas relevant to their proposed research topic, in doing so they are expected to develop appropriate strategies and documentation to deal with potential ethical dilemmas. Interim presentations will serve  to enable scrutiny of the project by peers, academic staff and other possible stakeholders to identify any potential legal or ethical implications of the work.

The research study must also adhere to IT Sligo's Research Ethics Policy and Procedure.  Where appropriate, project proposals will be submitted to the IT Sligo research ethics committee for clearance. 

LO5: Select, apply and critically evaluate research methods and techniques, and analyse data according to accepted models of analysis.    

Learners are required to demonstrate their ability in research, designing and executing experiments/numerical analysis/ analytical analysis, concept development and reporting in a manner appropriate to their chosen research question.

LO6: Communicate the research process and findings via a written thesis, which meets postgraduate standards of technical expertise. 

The thesis should contain a

• Definition of the research questions and account of research design.
• Review of the relevant literature
• Theoretical, constructive or empirical parts developing answers to the research questions. 

LO7: Reflect self‑critically and express the relevance and significance of the outcomes/conclusions of an inquiry and of the research process itself.          

The student must demonstrate their ability to gather, generate and analyse data that leads to appropriate recommendations and conclusions.

Students will provide a detailed critique on their research question,  process, outcomes and conclusion, as appropriate. Recommendations for outstanding questions/further research should be given.

LO8: Demonstrate professional practice skills including time-management, technical writing and oral communication skills.

Students completed work will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competency that are required for a level nine award in this area. It will be presented and published in a manner appropriate to this award level e.g. typed, bound.