These notes deal with some of the research methods that you will need for the project part of your MSc. There are in three broad sections: The first section tells you how to find out about other people's research in the literature. Then we look at how to do research, focussing mainly on computing tools that you may find useful. The final section deals with how, after all that hard work, you actually write up and present your work.
Throughout, these notes (and the first sesssion of the research methods module which they accompany) are designed mainly as pointers to resources where more details can be found. It is your responsibility to explore these resources further and familiarize yourself fully with the material. You'll need this background at the latest when you prepare your project outline, and of course for the project period in the summer itself.