INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY KATHMANDU, NEPAL Qualification Unit Number & Title T/615/1639 – Unit 13: Computing Research Project Assessor Name BTEC HND IN COMPUTING Student Name Samarth Bikram Thapa Assignment Launch Date Due Date 24/04/2023 Check Submission Date Below Session/Year Completion Date 2021/2022 Assignment Title Assignment Number 1/1 The environmental impact of digital transformation Submission Due Date Ethical Form 05 May 2023* Project Proposal Submission 10 June 2023* Proposal Presentation 12 June 2023 – 16 June 2023* Final Report Submission 15 August 2023* *Please confirm the date with your Tutor Important: Read the plagiarism notice and requirements at Page 8 Word-limit- 8000 words (excludes cover page, table of content, figures, graphs, reference list, appendix, and logbook) Accepted Sources: Research Papers (Journal Articles, Conference Proceedings, Thesis), Textbooks, Governmental Data, Websites (only a registered organization, an educational institution, government agency) Information taken from unreliable sources will not be accepted Must follow Harvard Reference Style 1 Assignment submission format Each student has to submit their assignment as guided in the assignment brief. The students are guided what sort of information is to produce to meet the criteria targeted. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard Referencing System. Purpose of this assignment The purpose of this assignment is to engage students conduct research in a specific field of study. This assignment allows students to demonstrate their capacity and ability to identify a research topic, to develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. This also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process, during which recommendations for future and personal development are key learning points. Learning outcomes covered LO1. Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process. LO2. Conduct and analyze research relevant to a computing research project. LO3. Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders. LO4. Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts. The course tutor will Make sure that project briefs for this unit is be based on a proposal defined by the student. Agree and sign off in the research proposal that each student is embarking on their project. If this requires extra time to agree, this could be addressed through the student’s tutorial time. Make sure that the proposal students develops meets the criteria (given below). This will form the basis of their project and must be related to their specific pathway, unless 2 the student is on the general Computing pathway. Monitor whether all students complete the research project in order to complete their work for this unit. Guides students on how to go about planning, researching, conducting, recording and reflecting on the research project. Be advisable to direct students to appropriate research sources and advise on qualitative and quantitative methods. Will ask students to reflect on the success of their research project and their performance at the end of the project, with the inclusion of a project evaluation and recommendations. Scenario The amount of data created and stored globally is expected to reach 175 Zettabytes by 2025, a six-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. You work as a trainee as Research Analyst for a leading IT company. Your job is to perform research and gather data to help the company market its products. Your task is to undertake a research in a topic related to the theme “ The environmental impact of digital transformation” Your topic could fall under the given broad areas ● The use of modern methods to reduce carbon emissions in IT network systems. ● The impact of cloud data centers on the environment. ● The environmental implications of e-waste and ways to reduce it. In this project you are expected to show your ability to complete a computing research project engaging yourself in a specific field. Your work must demonstrate that you have the ability to identify a research topic, to develop research aims and objectives and outcomes and to present 3 the research outcomes to senior management team both verbally (as a formal presentation) and in written report form. In this project you are expected to show your ability to complete a computing research project engaging yourself in a specific field. Your work must demonstrate that you have the ability to identify a research topic, to develop research aims and objectives and outcomes and to present the research outcomes to senior management team both verbally (as a formal presentation) and in written form. Assignment task: In order to successfully complete a computing research project you have to complete the following tasks as guided. Part one – Develop a research proposal Define your research problem or question. This can be stated as a research question, objectives or hypothesis. Provide a literature review giving the background and conceptualisation of your proposed area of study. This would provide existing knowledge and benchmarks by which your data can be judged. Consider and define your research methodology and research process. Demonstrate understanding of the pitfalls and limitations of the methods chosen and ethical issues that might arise. Part two – carry out the research and prepare a research report Conduct your research as outlined in your proposal. Keep track of your findings as you work. Carry out your research and analyse your findings in relation to your original research question. Draw conclusions. Part three - Prepare a presentation using Communicate the outcomes of your research project to the identified audience. Part four: A written reflection on the success of the research Prepare a written document that reflects 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. 4 Milestones and interim feedback to be used by the teacher Each student must get approval from the teacher when they have • • • • • Reach topic and aims/objectives are agreed Completed the research proposal Developed ethical form Produced a first draft of findings Completed all primary research. At each milestone, the tutor liaises with the student to check whether it has been achieved. They may need to redirect the student if necessary. Guidance for Students You should read this information before starting to define and work through your research brief. You should refer to these instructions as you complete work for this unit. Consider the development of a methodical and valid research proposal as the foundation for the project. Choose a topic based on the theme released by Pearson Edexcel and also make sure of personal interest in a specialism. The topic chosen should allow a sufficient and suitable degree of research through the existence of adequate background materials. A good project proposal title should meet the following criteria: o The proposal is one that has an existing body of literature or source material that can be reviewed. o The proposal extends a current line of learning that will lend itself to further rigorous exploration o Decide on appropriate research methods and select an appropriate sample Ensure that your proposal is ethical, reliable and valid. An ethics form must be submitted prior to completion of research as part of the research proposal. Agree your research proposal with your tutor before beginning your research. Conduct your research as outlined in the proposal agreed with your tutor. Carry out your research, analyze your research findings and draw conclusions. Apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate data collected from primary research. Communicate your research outcomes in a manner appropriate to your audience. 5 You will be asked to reflect on the success of your research project and evaluate the problems/issues encountered. On the following pages, there is an example of a research project brief. You must complete the research project in order to complete your work for this unit. Research Proposal Student name Centre name Tutor Unit Research Topic: Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities Title or working title of research project Research project aims and objectives Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important) Section Three: Literature sources searched Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis Section Four: Activities and timescales (milestones and target date) Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research, development, analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the report) and likely durations. Section Five: Research approach and methodologies Type of research approach and methodologies you are likely to use and reasons for your choice: What your areas of research will cover: Comments and agreement from tutor Comments (optional): I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is appropriate. 6 Agreed: ................... (Name)................................. Pass (Date) ........................ Merit Distinction LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process LO1 & LO2 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 selected based on philosophical/theoretical frameworks. D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research methodologies applied. P2 Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research. LO2 Conduct and analyse research relevant for a computing research project M2 Discuss merits, limitations P3 Conduct primary and and pitfalls of approaches to data secondary research using collection and analysis. appropriate methods for a computing research project that consider costs, access and ethical issues. P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools analyse research findings and data. LO3:Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate M3 Coherently and logically communicate outcomes to the 7 LO3 D2 Communicate critical analysis of the outcomes and make valid, justified manner for the intended audience. intended audience demonstrating recommendations. how outcomes meet set research objectives. LO4: Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the business research project. M4 Provide critical reflection and insight that result in recommended actions for improvements and future research considerations. LO4 D3 Demonstrate reflection and engagement in the resource process leading to recommended actions for future improvement. P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes. Grades Achieved Note: Refer the unit details provided in your handbook when responding all the tasks above. Make sure that you have understood and developed your response that matches the highlighted key words in each task. Plagiarism Notice You are reminded that there exists Academic Misconduct Policy and Regulation concerning Cheating and Plagiarism. Extracts from the Policy: Section 3.4.1: Allowing others to do assignments / copying others assignment is an offence Section 3.4.2: Plagiarism, using the views, opinion or insights / paraphrasing of another person’s original phraseology without acknowledgement Requirements It should be the student’s own work – Plagiarism is unacceptable. Clarity of expression and structure are important features. Your work should be submitted as a well presented, word-processed document with headers and footers, and headings and subheadings. 8 You are expected to undertake research on this subject using books from the Library, and resources available on the Internet. Any sources of information should be listed as references at the end of your document and these sources should be referenced within the text of your document using Harvard Referencing Style Your report should be illustrated with screen-prints, images, tables, charts and/or graphics. All assignments must be typed in Times New Roman, font size 12, 11/2 spacing. The center policy is that you must submit your work within due date to achieve “Merit” and “Distinction”. Late submission automatically eliminates your chance of achieving “Merit and Distinction”. Also, 80% attendance is required to validate this assignment. I declare that all the work submitted for this assignment is my own work and I understand that if any part of the work submitted for this assignment is found to be plagiarized, none of the work submitted will be allowed to count towards the assessment of the assignment. Assignment Prepared By Signature Date Sheela Paudyal Brief Checked By March 16, 2023 Signature Date Dhruba Babu Joshi March 23, 2023 9