Assignment 2. Complex Systems Projects
The aim of the project is to gain experience in
designing and implementing a neural network or evolutionary computation model,
or completing a data mining study as part of a research project. The major criterion for assessment is the way
the research issues are defined, the methods are implemented and the results
presented and discussed. That is, the conduct of the research itself. You should start by implementing the
simplest possible prototype experiment and ensure that it works well before
proceeding with more complex designs.
(many refinements that could-have-been-added-but-weren’t can form a nice paragraph in the final report.)
The online
submission facility is at http://submit.itee.uq.edu.au/select.php?coursecode=COMP4001
Tasks
- Proposal and literature review
(10%). Due week 6.
- Project report (40%). Due week
12.
Asgt 2a Project Proposal (10%) Due week 6.
Aim
1: Selecting a general area and appropriate references is the first step of a
research project. This stage requires you to choose an area and find appropriate
literature.
Task:
- Choose a project area (possible
topics will be linked to the course web page)
- Find 5-10 relevant articles and
3-5 web pages (if available) and select 1-3 potential software packages
- Choose a referencing format
(e.g. APA, IEEE, or another journal standard) and method (eg endnote) and
check that you understand the difference between good referencing and
plagiarism.
Aim 2: to
communicate clearly the project you wish to conduct and the relevant background
ideas.
Tasks:
- Do sufficient background
research to plan your project in detail.
- Refine your title and reference
list.
- Do a Swales’ analysis of the
issues to be explored (Swales will be covered in tutorials)
- Write your project
specification
The project
specification should contain the following information:
1.
Working
title and author (you)
2.
Introduction
following Swales outline
a.
State
the context of the research. (approx 2 sentences)
The first sentence should indicate the area and type of research to follow. Why
is this area of interest?
b.
Review
the literature – what is generally known and what has been done before on the
topic. (1-2 pages)
Include a reference section in conventional format at the end of the proposal.
c.
Outline
the gap in the literature to date. (approx 2 sentences)
Discuss the various approaches that could be followed, and why you have
suggested to one(s) you will follow.
d.
Overview
the plan. (approx 2 sentences)
The amount of detail required in this section may vary substantially across
projects. The most important part of the
intro is ensuring that the problem is stated clearly and simply. The second
most important part is a clear statement of the thesis of your thesis.
3.
Methodology:
Network architecture, evolutionary algorithm, or other approach. (approx 2
pages)
Specify the design you intend to use, including
a.
the
architecture (down to the level of detail of number of units and connection
structure), including a diagram
b.
aspects
of structure, dynamics, and/or function to be investigated
c.
for
any equations used define all terms and give appropriate citations for their
source;
d.
initial
parameter table (if relevent), parameter choices or ranges and their
justification
e.
Describe
and give examples of any data used
f.
source
of data (if relevant)
g.
full
details of the paradigm you intend to use
h.
results
to be collected
i.
Discussion
of analysis possibilities (why these results?)
Include enough detail that others may repeat
your study and verify your results.
Include rationale for each of the design
decisions made.
4.
Implementation
Details (approx 1 page)
a.
Specify
the language or simulator, the facilities you intend to use, how you will
generate the data (if relevant).
b.
Describe
what measures relating to structure, dynamics and function you will collect
c.
Describe
a plan for the analysis stage: describe how the data will be collated, reported
and analysed.
5.
Reference
list. Include all references referred to in the introduction. Don’t include
references not used (this is a reference list, not an annotated bibliography).
6.
Work
Plan and timeline (week by week to the end of the project set out as a table)
Divide
the work into successive stages and outline your objectives for completing each
stage. Clearly specify the prototype model and the order of implementing
subsequent enhancements.
7.
Style,
grammar and spelling
Use appropriate terminology, without jargon.
Strive for clear and simple descriptions.
Check the grammar and spelling are correct.
Asgt 2b. Project report (40%). Due week 12
Tasks:
- Follow your research plan.
- Progress will be monitored and
discussed in weekly tutorials.
- Final report should contain
updated versions of sections 1-5 of the project proposal, and sections on:
·
Results
·
Analyses
·
Discussion
and conclusions
·
Further
work
- Comp7001 students should also
include a separate section, labeled Research Proposal which describes the
next stages in turning the project into a Research Masters proposal. (this
section is pass/fail)
Asgt 2a
Assessment
Complex Systems Project Proposals Marking Scheme
1.
Title
Name
Student Number
2. Introduction
a.
Intro
following Swales outline
b.
Literature
Review
c.
Issues
Identified
3. Methodology / Design
a.
Methods
b.
Parameter
Table
c.
Results
to be collected
d.
Discussion
of analysis possibilities
4. Reference List
5. Timeline and work plan
6. Style, grammar and spelling
Asgt 2b Assessment
COMP4001 and COMP7001 Introduction to Complex Systems
Final Project Report Marking Scheme
Aims: To provide
an opportunity for students to explore and apply complex systems methods to
applied problems or open research questions, gaining experience with the nature
of the complex systems research field and its research culture.
a. To
provide an opportunity for students to design and run a simulation study under
supervision.
b.
To provide an opportunity for students to
write a report on their project using standard technical language.
Marking Scheme:
|
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Poor |
Satisfactory |
Good |
Excellent |
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GENERAL Balance of
effort intro;
background to the research; design of the study; simulation details; results
and analyses; discussion and conclusions; polishing report; all to comparable
standard |
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Research
initiative |
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CONTENT Introduction
|
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Design of
experimental series |
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Simulation
details |
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Poor |
Satisfactory |
Good |
Excellent |
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Results
and Analyses |
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Discussion(s)
of each experiment in series critical
comment on the results of simulations, drawing out of implications, and assessment
of the findings; discussion of any problems encountered |
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General
Discussion and Conclusions |
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Acknowledgements |
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Appendix
(if necessary) |
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FORM Written
quality of project |
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OVERALL
IMPRESSION |
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