This unit is designed to give ICT research students an appreciation of the significance of research and provide students with research skills, knowledge and understandings that will enable them to conduct their own research in a rigorous manner. The unit will encourage critical understanding of qualitative and quantitative approaches in research and explore the research process. The unit includes the design of data collection tools and an introduction to quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. Students will gain an understanding of the theory and practice of methods and approaches applicable to the conduct of ICT research. They will have the capacity to design and communicate research proposals for ICT projects and to critically assess and evaluate alternative approaches to conducting research on ICT issues. They will consider the ethical issues involved in planning, conducting and reporting research. Students will be challenged to apply concepts and critically engage with issues as they relate to personal research needs and the assessment items will relate to their research topic.