Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
Masters level module: Research Project
Design for All Research Project
Description of purpose
The goal of Design for All presents many challenges attributable to the unique
characteristics of the user and their interaction with technology. The Masters level
research project is a substantial self-study element that provides students with the
experience of utilising Design for All principles to understand and solve a real world
problem.
This project report may be called a Master’s thesis or dissertation and is an essential
element of Masters level studies.
The research project actively promotes collaborative opportunities for working with
industry and user organisations on live projects to give a real life context.
“The purpose of research is to seek through methodical processes to add to
your own knowledge and, hopefully, to that of others, by the discovery of
nontrivial facts and insights"
Managing a student research project at
http://info.emeraldinsight.com/learning/study_skills/research_project.htm?P
HPSESSID=nvcj4nck7rg70j6e88qc643fb6&
Accessed on the 25th September 2008.
Qualifications structure and credit level
Credits: 30 ECTS, Masters level
Prerequisites: Successful completion of taught modules
Aims and objectives of module
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This project gives students the opportunity to use a combination of general and
specialist Design for All and ICT knowledge and understanding to apply an
existing or emerging technology to the solution of a practical problem,
Or to contribute and extend the theoretical understanding of new and advancing
technology and its application to e-Inclusion.
The project will give students the opportunity to demonstrate a personal
commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the
profession and the environment.
Student-centred learning outcomes
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The aim of this module is to provide the students with the experience of utilising
Design for All principles to understand and solve a real world problem.
By taking this module the students will understand how to undertake an individual
research project within the area of Design for All. In addition, the module will
develop the student's communication skills to enable them to communicate their
findings in written and oral form. This module is the one where students will
experience the interdisciplinary nature of this programme.
© 2009 Design for All@eInclusion
Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
Masters level module: Research Project
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This module consists of a supervised research project.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module the student will have the knowledge to be
able to:
 Identify potential projects and opportunities
 Select a suitable research problem for investigation and solution
 Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution
of computer communications solutions
 Conduct appropriate research, and undertake design and development of
computer communications solutions and critically place your problem and its
solution within the context of the body of knowledge within your topic area
 Implement design solutions and evaluate their effectiveness
 Plan, organise, direct and control tasks and resources so as to accomplish
projects set goals effectively within the allotted time
 Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising
obligations to society, the profession and the environment
On successful completion of the module the student will have the skills to be able to:
 Apply suitable problem solving techniques, critically evaluate the perceived needs
of the problem and make recommendations for future action.
 Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution
of Design for All in ICT problems.
 Critically evaluate your own work and work published by others in the context of
current research.
 Compose and present your work in written form in a scientific report and in oral
form to a scientific audience.
 Plan for effective project implementation, specify and use milestones in project
management, use a computer-based package when appropriate and deliver work
to a deadline.
Content
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The nature of postgraduate research projects
Project definition
Project planning
Project implementation
Project review
Reviewing of research literature
Preparing your thesis/dissertation
Ethical, social and professional issues
Methods of achieving learning outcomes
This module uses a resource-based learning model. Students study topics
autonomously with the support of a supervisor. Some parts of the syllabus,
including project management and literature searching will be supported using small
tutorial groups.
Learning, teaching and assessment strategy
The project is a substantive piece of self study assessed through a written research
report, and sometimes a viva or demonstration of a development. Most academic
© 2009 Design for All@eInclusion
Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
Masters level module: Research Project
institutions have an agreed standard for a Masters level thesis or project report. This
typically sets out the number of words, format, binding, referencing, the development
or demonstration of concepts, prototypes or artefact. Word counts for the written
element is typically in the region of 20,000 words.
The assessment of this module consists of 100% course work.
Sample activity
Students study topics autonomously with the support of a supervisor. Some parts of
the syllabus, including project management and literature searching, will be
supported using small tutorial groups.
During the face to face element of the course the student will select their project (or
confirm their selection if they are doing a project with an external link), work to
acquire the skills needed to successfully complete the project and create a project
plan for themselves and to assist in the communication with their individual project
supervisor.
The evaluation process draws on real world practice to write and present a good
quality conference paper of 5000 – 10,000 words and a presentation of the results.
This paper must be supported by a reflective research diary of activities and a more
detailed account of the methodology and results. Students will therefore be required
to keep a log of their activity on their project, and to undertake a viva voce of up to 45
minutes, demonstrating their solutions.
The assessment scheme for this sample activity is:
Research Log: 25%
Report and Viva: 75%
Reading Material
Dawson, C. (1999): The Essence of Computing Projects: A Student's Guide. Prentice
Hall.
Students should make use of primary research resources. The following journals
publish papers relevant to Design for All, and Universal Design. The following
journals and conference proceedings: ASSETS, AAATE, Behaviour and Information
Technology, Gerontechnology, ICCHP, Interacting with Computers, Transactions on
Accessible computers, Universal Access in Information Systems
Additional links to online resources
ACM digital library portal and guide at http://portal.acm.org/dl.cfm
ARIADNE hosted at http://www.edean.org
Google scholar at: http://scholar.google.co.uk/
© 2009 Design for All@eInclusion
Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
Masters level module: Research Project
Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
Masters level module:
Design for All in ICT: Curriculum Guidelines
This work is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
License. To view a copy of this licence, visit
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Attribution: This work is supported by the Design for All at eInclusion (DFAEI)
project which was funded by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework
Programme for Research and Technological Development (contract No. 033838).
Design for All in ICT Curriculum Guidelines. S.Keith, G.Whitney (eds)(2009) were
developed in collaboration with partners from 23 European countries. The
Guidelines describe various modules which are intended to support the creation of
new bachelor and master level programmes in Europe. For further information go to:
http://www.dfaei.org/curricula.html
© 2009 Design for All@eInclusion