Dates

The date will be announced in the information event (Course no.: 2400064) in the first lecture week.

Choice of Topic and Registration

Possible project topics are presented in an information event at the beginning of each semester. The dates of this event are published on the website

https://informatik.kit.edu/projektgruppe

The registration and refinement of the topic takes place in close consultation with the advisor.

Conditions

The module “Research Project (Methods, first semester)”  must be taken in the same semester.

Remark

• This module forms a unit with the modules “Research Project (Project, second semester)”, “Research Project (Methods, first semester)” and “Research Project (Methods, second semester)”. In all four modules combined, a uniform student research project is carried out over a period of two semesters.
• This module can be credited either in a specialization or in the elective area. The respective allocation of the projects which are offered for specific specializations is announced at the beginning of the semester.
• This module includes lecture credit points, practical credit points and seminar credit points. The practical part comprises practical scientific work under supervision; the seminar part comprises independent development and (written and oral) presentation of scientific work by others; the lecture part comprises acquisition of foundational knowledge through reading, listening, etc. The distribution of the module's credit points into the different types of credit points will be announced at the beginning of the semester for each project (where the modules “Research Project (Project, first semester)” and “Research Project (Project, second semester)” together amount to at least 5 lecture CPs, at least 3 seminar CPs and at least 3 practical CPs).

Course Content

The content of “Research Project” is the guided conduct of a scientific research project. Over a period of two semesters, students work intensively and continuously on the project. As part of the course “Research Project”, students acquire both specialist knowledge and methodological skills for scientific work.

The central questions of the projects on which the participants work originate from the research areas of the respective advisor(s). Usually, the project takes place within a current research project, which establishes a strong link between research and teaching.

The focus of the first semester is on planning the project and carrying out the preliminary work. The focus of the second semester is on carrying out the project and presenting the results.

At the end of the course “Research Project” (at the end of the second semester), participants write a scientific paper on the results of their project. This paper should meet the quality standards of a scientific publication and, if possible, be published.

Participation in the course “Research Project” also serves as preparation for a Master's thesis, the scientific nature of which goes beyond the normal level.

In addition to the project work, there are accompanying courses in which competences for scientific and project-oriented work are taught (these are credited as interdisciplinary qualifications; see the modules “Research Project (Methods, first semester)” and “Research Project (Methods, second semester)”).

Workload

The total workload for this module is 300 hours (the total workload for all four modules of “Research Project” is 720 hours).

The allocation of the workload to the various phases and work steps depends on the project and will be announced at the beginning of the first semester.

Qualification Goals

The objective of “Research Project” is to acquire both specialist knowledge and methodological skills in scientific work and to test them on the basis of the students' own project.

After completing all four modules of “Research Project”, participants will be able to ...

• carry out a literature search based on a given topic, independently identify, locate, classify, assess and evaluate the relevant literature,
• present and critically discuss the results of the literature research in their own words and with the aid of self-prepared presentation slides to a specialist audience,
• formulate and delimit the content of a research question or research problem, and present the relevance of the question or problem,
• explain the foundations of philosophy of science and relate them to their project,
• discuss the foundation of the used research approach, such as experiment design and experiment implementation, and apply them to their project,
• design, justify, evaluate and classify their own (partial) research approach,
• develop concrete work steps and a project plan from the research question and the research approach,
• determine workloads, coordinate work steps and, if necessary, allocate them in a team,
• identify and analyze risk factors and develop and plan countermeasures,
• identify, plan and carry out the preparatory work required for the project to be carried out,
• work scientifically in the research area of the project,
• know and apply the fundamental contents relevant to the project, and assess their relevance to the research question,
• document, summarize and present their planning and the progress of the project,
• recognize and evaluate progress, and develop and apply control measures,
• name, explain and apply techniques of scientific work and scientific writing,
• plan, prepare and evaluate scientific publications,
• document, summarize and illustrate the project process and results,
• work scientifically in collaboration with others in a team.

Associated Events

Information Event “Research Project”

Research Project (Project, first semester)

Research Project (Project, second semester)

Research Project (Methods, first semester)

Research Project (Methods, second semester)

Siehe Bemerkungen. / See remarks.