Research Lab


Course type: Master +2
Value in ECTS: 3
Bibliographic references available on the University Library website


Anno accademico 2010/11 - I. anno - Semestre primaverile

The purpose of the Research Lab is to allow students to dig individually in a specific subject pertaining to the field of technology-enhanced communication for cultural heritage. The subject of a Research Lab can be a "technology", a "device" (or a category of devices), an "application domain", etc.
The student needs to prove a sound grasp of research methodology notions and theoretical approaches, and be able to apply them consistently in writing a final report. Here are some examples of research methods that can be applied, and what the focus in the evaluation will be for each:

  • Literature review: it is important for the student to identify all sources of relevant literature, properly weigh them, properly analyze them, show her/his ability in highlighting the relevant issues and properly synthesize them.
  • Case studies review: it is important for the student to identify most of the relevant cases, to properly weigh them, properly analyze them, can show her/his ability in highlighting the relevant issues and properly synthesize them.
  • Technology exploration: it is important that the student not only reads about the technology, but also shows her/his capability of grasping detailed issues; this can be done by developing a prototype or by an extensive feasibility study.
  • Understanding an Organization: in this case the student must show her/his capability of grasping all the nuances of a complex organization; it is important that the student can identify all the sources for documentation, can properly weigh them, can properly analyze them, can show her/his ability in highlighting the relevant issues and properly synthesize them.
  • Design (of an application): this is in general not appropriate for a research Lab (while it is very appropriate for a thesis). The preparatory work can be the subject of a Research Lab.

The final report
The final report concluding the research lab is a document of approximately 25 pages (+/- 5 pages) plus annexes if needed.
The final report should not be an outline. It needs to be well-formatted and well structured, and these aspects will be evaluated. It should show an understanding of the following: 

  • motivations (what the student was trying to achieve),
  • the starting point (the background of the research, which must be kept at a minimum),
  • the work carried out,
  • the method of the work, and
  • the results.

A well-organized and relevant bibliography is expected in general to be part of the report.

Evaluation criteria
Perceivable amount of work, method of work, quality of work, interest of the results, clarity and persuasiveness.