Reference no: EM132874005 , Length: word count:2500
COMP11001 Ethics for the IT Professional - University of the West of Scotland
Topic Selection
Each student should select one of the 30 topics, statements and or questions that are listed on pages 5 and 6 of this document and inform the module leader which topic they choose. They should research, prepare and produce an essay-like report that examines, discusses and debates the topic and presents informed views for and against the statement. Students may also write on a topic of their own choosing, as long as such topic has been discussed with, and approved by, the module leader.
The Abstract (In the Coursework Outline Form and the final essay).
Your structured abstract should outline the aims and objectives of the research, the methods used to carry out the investigation, the findings of the research and, in conclusion, any implications and recommendations. Structured abstracts allow readers to gain a quick impression of the whole paper and help authors summarise their ideas clearly in an organized way. (You may find it useful to start your research using Google Scholar).
A structured abstract may include the following sections:
• Introduction to and background of the debate or question or problem
• Brief review of the important literature
• (Methodology, Data collection and Analysis = in this case: literature review)
• Conclusions and recommendations
Keywords (a few words or short phrases that capture key aspects of the article) can be listed below the abstract.
Completing the Coursework
Students should undertake a significant amount of research into their chosen topic area before writing up their report. However, the report that is produced should not just be a regurgitation of facts and opinions that are read elsewhere. In the earlier sections the report should be a careful and critical literature review and analysis of the chosen topic. Later sections should reflect the student's own views and findings based on the research that has been undertaken. Students must make sure that they present the cases for both sides of the topic that is being researched.
Many of the 30 coursework topics have social, political and psychological aspects to them. Whilst it is important that discussion of these aspects forms a part of your coursework, you should be careful to ensure that your coursework can clearly be identified as containing content that is suitable for the postgraduate degree for which it is being assessed.
The format and structure of the final essay report that you produce should be as follows and must use the attached marking scheme template.
Section 1 Structured Abstract
Write a succinct executive abstract or summary of the main points and ideas in your essay. Outline the topic, the objectives and the research findings in a structured and organised way so that a reader can obtain a quick overview of the whole paper. (This may be different to the abstract submitted and assessed earlier in the trimester).
Section 2 Introduction
Provide a general introduction to the topic and, in particular, explain the key aspects of the topic that you are going to be discussing. Assume that the reader knows almost nothing about the topic. Explain any terminology and use the introduction to make it clear to the reader what your report will focus on.
Section 3 Literature Review supporting the "Case For" the statement about the chosen topic
Research the case for the stated topic viewpoint and present a summary of your findings from the literature, taking care to properly reference your sources.
Section 4 Literature Review supporting the "Case Against" the statement about the chosen topic
Research the case against the stated topic viewpoint and present a summary of your findings from the literature, taking care to properly reference your sources.
Section 5 Summary Diagram
A one-page diagram or model that captures and reviews the topic's main issues and points - see for example Rich Pictures and Mind Maps.
Section 6 Arguments on Balance, Conclusions and Recommendations
Critically analyse your research findings and present your own "informed" opinion(s) of the arguments on balance. Discuss implications and put forward any conclusions and/or recommendations that you feel are relevant to the topic at hand.
References - Whichever topic you choose, it is important that you provide evidence of research and justification for any claims, arguments or conclusions that you present. It is expected that students will provide references to reasonably up-to-date journals, conference papers, academic books and other credible sources within their report, as evidence of the research that they have undertaken. Students should provide a minimum of 10 credible reference sources and ensure that these will be properly cited within your submission and listed in alphabetic order at the end of the report.
Notes on referencing within your report are included at the end of this document and a useful link to a guide to the UWS Harvard referencing system is also included in the "Coursework Assessment" section of the Moodle site for this module. Students are required to adhere to the Harvard referencing system for all material cited within their report.
Attachment:- Ethics for the IT Professional.rar