LD7083 Computing and Digital Technologies Project

COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION

Module Title: Computing and Digital Technologies Project

Module Number: LD7083

Module Tutor Rose Fong

Name(s):
Academic Year: 2021-22

% Weighting (to 100% Dissertation Report

overall module):
Coursework Title: Dissertation Report

Dates and Mechanisms for Assessment Submission and Feedback

Date of Handout to Students:

Week 1 via Blackboard

Mechanism for Handout to Students:

Via Blackboard; briefing via online blackboard collaborate and face 2 face session.

Date and Time of Submission by Student:

Submitted on 12 Sep 2022 (no later than 16:00)

Mechanism for Submission of Work by Student:

The report in electronic format must be submitted Turnitin on Module Blackboard site.

Date by which Work, Feedback and Marks will be returned to Students:

Within 20 working days after the submission date.

Mechanism for return of assignment work, feedback and marks to students:

Formal feedback will be made available via Blackboard following completion of all reviews
and internal moderation of results.

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Learning Outcomes tested in this assessment

This assignment will assess the following learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate critical understanding of research methodologies and project
management in the context of an independent research project in a major issue at
the frontiers of research and development in computing and digital technologies.
2. Design and undertake substantial research of complex, incomplete or contradictory
data and emerging business challenges to address significant areas of theory and/or
practice.
3. Incorporate a critical ethical dimension to practice, managing the implications of
professional, social, ethical and legal dilemmas in a business or organisational
context
4. Critically plan and execute a significant individual project by conducting independent
research and demonstrating originality of thought using recognised techniques in
project management and research methodologies.
5. Professionally communicate the results and findings from a significant individual
project through a written dissertation and a viva/presentation or similar by
demonstrating expert level of understanding in the computing, digital and related
technologies and solutions domain related to the project.

General Information
The Individual Computing, Cyber Security and Digital Technologies Project constitutes the
final part of the Master programme and represents a focus for earlier studies. It is a great
opportunity for you to complete an in-depth piece of research work on a topic of your own
choosing. Successful completion of the project is an essential requirement for the award of
the M.Sc. degree.

In this module, you will develop, through a written major project, new skills in Computing,
Digital Technologies or Cyber Security, critically analyse the implementation and
recommend potential future improvements. This module provides a process which will
enable you to use and extend the knowledge and skills you have acquired during your
programme of study. Using appropriate research methodologies and data collection
methods, you will critically synthesise a body of knowledge relevant to the taught
programme and apply this to an area relevant to your planned or continued career
development in the area of computing and IT.

You will present your work in a 12000-word written report and in a viva.

Any queries relating to this assignment should be directed to module tutor:

[email protected]

Assessment brief

The 12000-word Dissertation Report should address a research theme relevant to your
programme. It is essential to remember that your study must be research informed and

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based on a significant body of knowledge. The report is suggested to have the following
components and chapters:

Cover Page and declarations

Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Abstract
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Literature Review
Chapter 3 - Research Methodology and/or Design of Practical Work
Chapter 4 – Data Analysis and Findings and/ or Implementation and Testing
Chapter 5 – Discussion and Evaluation
Chapter 6 – Conclusions, Recommendation and Self-reflection
Reference List
Supporting Appendices

The dissertation will be assessed by the following four elements.

Description Marks

Abstract, Introduction and Literature Review – 25%

The abstract should make clear the main question/aim addressed, the broad
methodology used and the main findings. The introduction should include a discussion
of the context and potential benefits of the work, an explanation of the main aims, a list
of the objectives and a breakdown of the structure of the report. If you have changed or
added any objectives since the research proposal review, these changes should be made
clear. You will be expected to consider and outline here the main professional, ethical,
legal and social issues related to this academic research project.
25
The literature review chapter should assess your presentation of a suitable range of
literature relevant to the research. This section is a critical review, not a summary. This
means that you should discuss the literature, explaining the range of validity, relevance
to the project, strength of the findings, etc. rather than simply paraphrasing. You can be
given credit for a clear explanation of difficult concepts. You should discuss the
relevance and applicability of the literature to your own work. You should demonstrate
the ability to critically evaluate the research of others and to assess the strength of the
evidence/discussion presented.
Research Development/ Description of Practical Research Work Undertaken – 25%

Primary research may or may not be conducted. You may undertake primary research
(qualitative or quantitative) or undertake some analysis of secondary data (e.g., network 25

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traffic data or other archival documents and material etc). Your dissertation may also
include the discussion of the practical work you have done, such as requirements
analysis, design, construction, installation, experimental work. Your testing and/or data
collection approach should be included in this section although the results from this
form part of the next section. You should make it clear what you have done, and should
also include rationales for the approaches and techniques used, including how you have
addressed any ethical, social and legal issues in your approach. You should also include
a discussion of any ideas that have been rejected.
Results and Analysis– 25%

This section should assess your results/findings and your analyses of these. Examples of
techniques you may use include reasoned evaluation, thorough product testing,
scientific testing, data analysis, internal and external validation and statistical survey.
You would normally make use of more than one technique, and your use of the 25
techniques should reflect the postgraduate nature of the research. You should also
justify your choice of techniques and ensure that they are applied in an ethical and
professional manner, including any data protection issues.

Critical Evaluation, Conclusions and Recommendations – 25%

Your critical evaluation should assess your own research outcomes and how your
findings contribute to the wider academic body of knowledge, including any comparison
of your results/ findings/hypotheses with those of others. You should assess the
strength of the key findings, the limits of their applicability and their probable
usefulness. You should discuss the extent to which the main aim has been achieved and
which objectives have been satisfactorily met. There should also be a critical assessment
and evaluation of your own work and your professional approach to this research
project, including an appraisal of how you have addressed any ethical, legal and social
25
issues. In the conclusions and recommendations, you should assess the strength and
presentation of the findings and the recommendations. You should present your answer
to the original research aim/question and should discuss how well the original problem
has been solved. This should include reference to the results obtained by you. You
should also discuss any interesting additional discoveries that have been made.
Recommendations may include suggestions for further research, suggestions for
improved practice based on your findings and suggestions for practical application of
any new concepts that have been investigated.

Total 100

Viva
The project viva will usually last no more than 30 minutes with 10-15 minutes of presentation and 10-15
minutes of questions. The viva can also be used to demonstrate any practical
products/applications/experiments that have formed part of the project. The viva is compulsory but does not
have any marks allocated. It will help your second marker and supervisor to understand your dissertation
work.

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Top-Down Measures of Quality

In reaching a final mark for the project, dissertation and viva, a top down and bottom up approach will be
adopted. The top-down measures of quality are as follows:

0 - 39% Clear Fail: Attainment is consistently and clearly below Masters level. The reason(s) for this may
include some or all of the following:
 An inadequate survey of the available literature in the area of the study.
 Failure to meet one or more of the objectives of the project.
 Inadequate rigour in the application of techniques/tools.
 Lack of a disciplined, ethical and professional approach to tackling the research project.
 Failure to address a central computer science and digital technology issue in necessary depth.
 The absence of a required section in the dissertation.
 A partial or no demonstration/presentation was given, or the demonstration/presentation gave no
useful information.
 The student could not answer some questions during the viva in any meaningful way.

40 - 49% Marginal failure: Attainment generally below acceptable level, although there is potential for it
to reach a pass standard. The dissertation and viva and their response to questions in the viva should show
that higher achievement could be reached is more time was devoted to it or another approach had been
taken.

50 - 59% Basic Pass: Close to the minimum acceptable standard for a pass. Work in this mark range may
fail to fulfil one of the major objectives of the project yet must exhibit a reasonable understanding of the
fundamentals of computer science and digital technologies relevant to their chosen project and adequate
use of technical communication skills, problem solving, independent study, knowledge of the literature and a
disciplined, ethical and professional approach to tackling a substantial research project. The viva
demonstrated an acceptable level of understanding.

60 - 69% Good Pass: Attainment which is overall better than acceptable but is not outstanding. There is
evidence from the dissertation and viva of a sound understanding of the major computer science and digital
technologies relevant to their chosen project together with a reasonable attempt to tackle more advanced
topics and issues. There should be a convincing demonstration of technical communication skills, problem
solving, independent study, knowledge and application of the literature and a disciplined, ethical and
professional approach to tackling a substantial project.

70 - 85% Distinctive: The dissertation and viva clearly demonstrate a high degree of quality and originality
in the application of standard techniques, and indicate an excellent professional endeavour. The work
includes novelty and invention that goes beyond the accurate, appropriate and validated use of standard
methods and tools, demonstrating strong technical communication skills, problem solving, independent
study, knowledge and application of the literature and a disciplined, ethical and professional approach to
tackling a substantial project. The dissertation is fluent, coherent and of an excellent academic standard. The
viva clearly outlined the research approach, its implementation and the key findings and outcomes and
demonstrated a deep understanding.

86-100% Distinctive and Outstanding : In addition to the distinction category, here the research work
exhibits a high level of complexity and professional quality, evidence of an excellent understanding of the
academic context of the work, a capacity for analytic thought, an ability to penetrate a complex application
domain and a high quality of self appraisal. The standards of proof and the quality of writing shown in the
dissertation should be equivalent to that of publication in a good quality journal. The viva provided valuable
and thoughtful insight into innovative research and its outcomes.
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Notes on presentation & submission:

The dissertation report must be written and presented to an appropriate academic standard
for a postgraduate programme of study.
 The proposal will be assessed in terms of style, meaning, and the accuracy of
spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
 The assignment should start with a Cover page including
o Module: LD7083 Computing and Digital Technologies Project
o Supervisor Name:
o Assignment title: Dissertation Report
o Student name + university identifier (always underline the surname/family
name by which you are recorded in the university systems)
o Programme or course of study:
o Word Count:
 Your proposal written to a professional standard using MS Word and show
appropriate and consistent use of type, fonts and line spacing (for this assignment
use Arial 12 and single spacing) and page layouts. Give each page a footer that
includes your name, the module code, and a page number.
 Correct and thorough referencing of your sources of information is required. You
should follow a consistent referencing system such as Harvard Referencing Style
and provide a full reference list and brief references in the text of your answer. ‘Cite
them Right’ advises direct quotations should be indicated by quotation marks or
indentation and referenced. Failure to acknowledge your sources or to indicate when
you are quoting constitutes plagiarism. You are encouraged to work with each other
to discuss the challenges encountered, but you must not work with each other to
construct your answers. Action will be taken in accordance with the University
regulations if plagiarism or collusion is suspected. This may result in a loss of marks
for the assignment or module. Further advice on these issues, can be found on:
o Northumbria University (2016) Skills Plus help guides, Online. (Accessed
05.09.18)
o Pears, R. & Shields, G. (2013) Cite Them Right: the essential referencing
guide, 9th edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Online. (Accessed
05.09.18)
o You could use university online library search facilities. (accessed 05.09.18)

Academic Integrity Statement:

You must adhere to the university regulations on academic conduct. Formal inquiry
proceedings will be instigated if there is any suspicion of plagiarism or any other form of
misconduct in your work. Refer to the University’s Assessment Regulations for Northumbria
Awards if you are unclear as to the meaning of these terms. The latest copy is available on
the University website. (last accessed on 08th September 2021)

Formative Feedback
There will be an opportunity for formative feedback during the semester. You are advised to
start working on this assignment as early as possible so that you can seek clarification from
the module tutor regarding any questions you might have during the semester. Note that
tutors will not predict your grade, and you should not take the lack of comment on any
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aspect of your work as indicating that it is correct. You should make every effort to take
advantage of formative feedback as tutors will not comment on draft work at other times.
Remember that you will get more useful feedback from us by asking specific questions than
just presenting us with your documentation and asking, ‘Is this right?’

Penalties for Exceeding Word Limits:

The following penalties will be applied after any reductions in mark due to late submission
have been made, Penalties will be applied as defined in the University Policy on Word
Limits Policy. (last accessed on 08th September 2021)

The actual word count is to be declared on the front of the assessment submission.

Late Submission Policy:

For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in
deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%)
shall be deducted from the assessment mark. Penalties will be applied as defined in the
University Policy on the Late submission work. (last accessed on 08th September 2021)

For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been
handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total
available marks will have been deducted.

Failure to submit: The University requires all students to submit assessed coursework by
the deadline stated in the assessment brief. Where coursework is submitted without
approval after the published hand-in deadline, penalties will be applied as defined in the
University Policy on the Late submission of work. (last accessed on 08th September 2021)

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