RESEARCH AND DESIGN

A. Meaning of Research
- A systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing
specialized tools, instruments, and procedures in order to obtain a
more adequate solution to a problem than would be possible) under
ordinary means (C.C. Crawford, The Elements of Research. (New
York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1946))
- A systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources and
others, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It is
an endeavor to discover new or collate old facts by the scientific
study of subject or by a course of critical investigation

B. Purpose of Research
- To serve man and the goal of research is good life
- To satisfy man’s craving for more understanding
- To improve his judgments
- To add to his power
- To reduce the burden of work
- To relieve suffering
- To increase the satisfaction in multitudinous ways

From the purposes of research stated, to “ease the burden of work” is the most
common aim of computing researchers (Carter Good and Douglas Scales,
Methods of Research Educational, Psychological, Sociological. (Manila:
Appleton-Century-Crafts, Inc., 1972))

C. Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical – Research is based on direct experience or observation
by the researcher. The collection of data relies on practical
experience without benefit of scientific knowledge or theory.
2. Logical – Research is based on valid procedures and principles.
Scientific investigation is done in an orderly manner so that the
researcher has confidence on results. Logical examination of the
procedures used in the research enables the researcher to draw
valid conclusions. Thus, the logic of valid research makes it
important for decision making.
3. Cyclical – Research is a cyclical process. It starts with a problem
and ends with the problem. For instance, a researcher who
completes his study states his findings and draws up his conclusions
and recommendations. In his recommendations, many problems
may crop up as other subjects for study hence, the cycle is repeated.

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 4. Analytical – Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in
gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive, and experimental
or case study.
5. Replicability – The research designs and procedures are replicated
to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
Similarities and differences of replicated researches can be
compared. The more replications, the more valid and conclusive the
results would be.
6. Critical – Research exhibits careful and precise judgments. A higher
level of confidence must be established that is at one percent or five
percent level of confidence.

D. Types of Research

1. Applied Research involves seeking new applications of scientific

knowledge to the solution of a problem, such as the development of
new system or procedure, new device, or new method in order to
solve the problem. It refers to the application of theory to the solution
of problems. It is conducted for the purpose of applying, or testing
theory, and evaluating its usefulness.

Example: Development and Evaluation of a Visual Room Scheduler

for the Technological Institute of the Philippines using Artificial
Intelligence

2. Action Research – is a feature of applied research, which is a

decision-oriented research involving the application of the steps of
the scientific method in response to an immediate need to improve
existing practices. Action research is focused on immediate
application, not on the development of a theory or generalization of
applications. The researcher is required to do some action such as
teaching the respondents how to use particular device, teaching the
importance of a particular subject.

Example: Methods of birth control, Vaccination

3. Pure Researcher – aims to discover basic truths or principles. It is

intended to add to the body of knowledge by exploring the unknown,
to extend the boundaries of knowledge, as well as to discover new
facts. It is conducted primarily to test or arrive at a theory. Its main
objective is to establish general principles without known or intended
practical application of the findings.

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 Example: Newton’s law
The function and importance of an appendix

E. Research Methods

A research methodology defines what the activity of research is, how to

proceed, how to measure progress, and what constitutes success. This is how
most graduate schools define research methods. This book provides four (4)
research methods, thus:

1. Descriptive Research. It describes what is. It involves the

description, analysis, and interpretation of the present nature,
composition or processes of phenomena. The focus is on prevailing.

2. Historical Research. A process of selecting the area or topic to write

the history about, collecting data about events that occurred in the
area or about the topic, collating data, sifting the authentic from non-
authentic, and then making an interpretative narrative about or
critical inquiry into the whole truth of the events. Historical research
describes what occurred in the past and makes a critical inquiry into
the truth of what occurred.

3. Experimental Research. A problem-solving approach that describes

the effect when certain variables are carefully controlled or
manipulated. It focuses on the past, present and future conditions.

4. Ex post facto Research. In this method, the researcher investigates

a problem by studying the variables in retrospect. It is a research in
which the dependent variable is immediately observable and main
concern is to find out the antecedents that gave rise to this
consequence.

5. Case Study Research. According to Bromley (1990), it is a

systematic inquiry into an event or a set of related events which aims
to describe and explain the phenomenon of interest.

Research and Design Distinguished

Ashley Karr (2013) distinguished research and design in this wise, thus:

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To research something is to investigate it systematically. We do this in order
to reach new conclusions, establish new facts, and learn as much about the
truth as possible. Research also gives us a chance to find problems that we
can potentially fix. We research to understand the world.

To design something is to create the form and function of an object, system,

or interaction. We do this in order to make our experience here on earth better,
safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more fun – and we can create solutions
to the problems we found during our research. We design to change the world.

Simply stated, we research to explain WHY THINGS happen, we design in

order TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

Research Design

It must ne new It does NOT need to be new

It does not have to be good It has to be good

In sum, research does not have to be In sum, design does not have to be
good but it must ne new new, but it must be good

It is done to understand It is done to change the world

WRITING THE COMPONENTS OF CHAPTER I

What is a Thesis?

A thesis may be defined as the report of a scholar upon some piece

of research which he has completed. It is the culmination of a devious process
extending from the initial insight into the opportunity for investigation to the
insertion of the final footnote (Cole and Bigelow, 1935). In the area of
computing, it is defined as a technical report on a systematic investigation of a
problem that can be solved using Computing. It may include a solution, an
approximate or partial solution, a scientific investigation, or the development of
results leading to the solution of the problem (Section 2.1, Article II of Annex A
of CMO 25 s. 2015).

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What is a Capstone Project?

A capstone Project is an undertaking appropriate to a professional field. It

should significantly address an existing problem or need. An Information
Systems (IS) Capstone Project focuses on business processes and the
implications of introducing a computing solution to a problem while an
Information Technology (IT) Capstone project focuses on the infrastructure,
application, or processes involved in implementing Computing solution to a
problem (Section 2.2, Article II of Annex A of CMO 25 s. 2015). Of course, for
the BSEMC program the capstone project deals with game development and
digital animation Technology (Section 8.2.3 of CMO 25 s. 2015).

Computer Science

Current Computer Science Topics

 Software and Development Theory

 Mobile Computing Systems
 Software Extensions or Plug-ins
 Expert Systems and Decision Support Systems
 Systems Software (software tools/utilities, interpreters,
simulators, compilers, security aspects)
 Intelligent Systems
 Game Development
 Computer Vision
 Image/Signal Processing
 Natural Language Processing
 Pattern recognition and data mining
 Bioinformatics
 Graphics Applications
 Cloud computing
 Parallel computing
 Embedded Systems
 Emerging Technologies

Foundations of Computer Science

 Automata and Formal Languages

 Data Structures and Algorithm Design and Analysis
 Web Semantics
 Coding Theory
 Programming Languages

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  Visualization Systems
 Computer and Architecture
 Modelling and Simulation
 Grid Computing
 Pervasive Computing

Human-Computer Interaction

 Usability
 Affective Computing
 Emphatic Computing

Information Technology

Software Development

 Software Customization
 Information Systems Development for an Actual Client
 Web Applications Development
 Mobile Computing Systems

Multimedia Systems

 Game Development
 E-Learning Systems
 Interactive Systems
 Information Kiosks

Network Design and Implementation and Server Farm Configuration and

Management

IT Management

 IT Strategic Plan for sufficiently complex enterprises

 IT Security Analysis, Planning and Implementation

Information Systems

Software Development

 Software customization
 Information Systems Development for an Actual Client

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  Web Applications Development
 Mobile Computing Systems

IS Planning

 Enterprise Resource Plan

 Information Systems Strategic Plan

Writing a Good Introduction

1. Presentation of the importance of the system software, algorithms,

processes or an enterprise resource plan to be designed and/or
developed.
Example:
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A DECISION SUPPORT
SYSTEM FOR THE JIL CHURCH – CALAMBA CITY USING
TRANSACTION PROCESSING AS PERCEIVED BY THE
ADMINISTRATORS AND WORKERS FOR THE YEAR 2015

Organizations have long recognized the importance of

managing key resources such as labor and raw materials.
Information has now moved to its rightful place as a key resource.
Decision makers are beginning to understand that information is not
just a by-product of conducting business, rather, it fuels business
and can be the critical factor in determining the success or failure of
a business.

To maximize the usefulness of information, a business

must manage it correctly, just as it manages other resources.
Managers need to understand that costs are associated with the
production, distribution, security, storage, and retrieval of
information. The strategic use of information for positioning a
business competitively should not be taken for granted.

2. Research Locale
Tell something about the organization or group where the research
will be conducted. This organization usually is the target of the
beneficiary of the proposed system software. In the example
capstone project, the organization under study is the JIL Church at
Calamba City.

This part may NOT applicable for a BSCS thesis. Instead

of research locale “A Description of the Area in Computer

7
 Science under Study” shall be discussed in Computer
Science theses.

It was June 15, 1986 when the first worship service of the Jesus Is Lord
Fellowship Calamba Chapter was held with hundreds of attendees, guests and
visitors and even pastors from other Evangelical churches. But its second
worship service revealed the actual number of attendees consisting of only 50
estimated attendees, a resident pastor and three volunteered workers.

During the JIL’s first few years of operation, information managing is not a
problem. Almost all of its attendees know each other and the resident pastor
can easily recognized and call by their names. Thus, if one attendee was not
able to attend Sunday services for several times, the Follow-up Ministry can
easily recognized them and make appropriate decision and action like house
visitation to discern the reasons why their brethren was unable to attend their
worship service. This will enable the Follow-up Ministry to make a sound biblical
advice.

3. The existence of an unsatisfactory condition; a felt problem that

needs a solution. A Solution that involves development of a system
software.

At present, this situation does not hold true anymore. The

JIL Church now has an average of one thousand
attendees per week. Sometimes, during special worship
service, the total number of attendees reached one
thousand five hundred at the most. Sadly, because of
poor information management, the leadership was
unable to produce the list of additional five hundred
attendees. This made the Follow-up Ministry helpless in
achieving the JIL Calamba’s Vision of “Harvest 3000 plus
souls.” Additionally, a regular attendee who was absent
during the last two to three weeks was hardly noticed.
Only those popular attendees can be recognized absent
and consequently they are the only members of the
Church who are being followed up or being taken care of.
Decision making, consequently is done under
uncertainty.
4. A desire to find a better way of doing something or improving the
present system.

8
 It is for this reason why, the proponent, being a member
of JIL Church, gains a deepest desire to find a better way
of improving the present condition by developing a
software called as “Church’s Decision Support System”
(CDSS), that will help solve the unsatisfactory monitoring
of attendance of JIL Church members.

Introduction had set the Project Context of a Capstone project. Project context
forms part of the Introduction.

The Project Context is the environment in which a project is undertaken. It has

two key perspectives: internal as defined by the organizational structure,
management, behavior and culture external as defined by the business
environment in which the organization operates, including legislation and
regulation, professional and industrial standards and market sectors.

Demo: CS-Battleship: An Artificial Intelligence for battleship Game Using

Genetic Algorithm

The following is a good introduction:

1. Presentation of the importance of the software to be developed.

This must be the start of an introduction. Here the software to be
developed is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Today, advanced technology is trying to master the creation of the

brain related to the world of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial
intelligence is the ability of the machines to do things that people
would say require intelligence. Artificial intelligence aims to improve
machine behavior in tackling such complex tasks. Together with this,
much of the AI research is allowing us to understand our intelligent
behavior.

There are many different approaches to Artificial Intelligence and

none of which are either completely right or wrong. Over the years,
trends have emerged based on the state of mind of influential
researchers, funding opportunities as well as available computer
hardware.

2. A description of the Area in Computer Science under Study.

AI research is an attempt to discover the describe aspects of human

intelligence that can be simulated by machines. A good example,

9
 play games of strategy and learn to play better than people. Gaming
is one genre of software programming that has been slowly
borrowing more and more from filed of Artificial Intelligence.

Game playing has remained a valuable subfield of AI research with

the potential of shedding light and testing AI results in another
domain. Games will remain a challenge to AI researchers, providing
a domain in which efforts can be focused on expert systems,
knowledge representation, and learning.

3. A statement indicating that an improvement can be done.

Nowadays, games are no longer just a distraction from studies or
work. They are becoming an artistic form of expression for the
programmers and developers and a serious hobby and undertaking
for the players.

Games are learning devices, and the fundamental quality of good

learning is one which is appropriately demanding and manageable.
Games are exploring the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The
rules are fixed, the scope of the problem is constrained, and the
interactions of the players are well defined.

4. A desire to find a better way of doing something or improving the

present system.

The aim of gam artificial intelligence is not to provide a lasting

challenge, but to provide a smoothly ramping level of difficulty, while
the player is learning to think either strategically, tactically, or
reactively. Artificial intelligence in games takes the role of a never-
bored and never-boring opponent.

Formulating the Statement of the Problem / Objectives of the Project

There should be a general statement of the whole problem followed by

the specific questions or sub-problems into which the general problem is broken
up.

Guidelines in formulating the general problem and specific questions:

1. The general statement of the problem and the specific questions

should be formulated first before developing the software programs.
2. Each specific question must be clear and unambiguous.

10
 3. Answers to specific questions must contribute to the development of
the whole problem research problem or capstone project.
4. The number of specific questions should be enough to cover the
whole problem or case under study.
5. Generally, there should be a general statement of the problem and
then broken up into as many specific questions as necessary.

Demo: To illustrate, let us provide a sample statement of the problem for

an IT capstone project, thus:

The main problem of the project tis to assist the Tabako University in the
admission, registration, monitoring and advising of their students.
Specifically, it attempted to answer the following questions:

1. How to design and develop a Web-based system called Admission

Registration and Monitoring System (ARMIS) which will be capable
of:
a. Providing and efficient on-line enrollment system wherein
payment may be made in campus and out campus;
b. Providing an advising system by generating appropriate
courses which should be registered by the students
considering the pre-requisites and c0-requisites of courses
provided in the student’s program of study;
c. Allowing faculty members to encode the grades during a
period to be determined by the use:
 Xxx
 Xxx
 Xxx
2. What is the level of conformity of the ARMIS software with regard to
ISO 9126 standards?
3. How to implement and deploy the ARMIS software in order to
maximize organizational benefits?

The statement of the problems refers to the challenges, goals or

objectives which are needed to be accomplished by the proponents.

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study guide the researcher and the reader to know
what the proponent(s) need to do. These usually follow the chronological
sequence of the statement of the problem and its specific questions.

Objectives are written by either beginning with an action verb or an infinitive:

11
Example:

 To determine the efficiency of the system ass perceived by the

employees; or
 Identify possible problems encountered with the present system.

Example:

The main objective of the project is to assist the Tabako University in the
admission, registration, monitoring and advising of their students. Specifically it
aims to:

1. Design and develop a Web-based system called Admission

Registration and Monitoring System (ARMIS) which will be capable
of:
a. Providing and efficient on-line enrollment system wherein
payment may be made in campus and out campus;
b. Providing an advising system by generating appropriate
courses which should be registered by the students
considering the pre-requisites and c0-requisites of courses
provided in the student’s program of study;
c. Allowing faculty members to encode the grades during a
period to be determined by the use:
 Xxx
 Xxx
 Xxx
2. Evaluate the ARMIS in order to determine if it complies with the ISO
9126 standards;
3. To prepare an implementation plan for the deployment of the
ARMIS.

Normally, there are usually three to five objectives of the study.

Example:

General Objective:

The study aims to develop a game application that uses genetic algorithm
for the games’ artificial intelligence that can compete with the abilities of the
human.

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Specific Objectives:

The following statements are the specific objectives of the study:

1. To implement the Battleship board game in mobile phone supported

with Google’s Android platform.
2. To develop artificial intelligence for Battleship game with easy and
difficult level
3. To use Generic Algorithms in developing the game’s artificial
intelligence

Demo: In the research entitled “The Mythical Adventures of Mang Kanor: An

Action-Adventure Game”, the general and specific objectives of the study are
presented in this wise:

General Objective

The general objective of the study is to develop an action adventure game, and
familiarize the players about the mythical creatures believed exist in Visayas
region. According to an article written by Miguel Almario of Clarksville Middle
School and Micha F. Lindemans said that there are isolated islands and barrios
in Visayas familiar about the different way of living and secrets of these mythical
creatures.

Specific Objectives:

 Introduce the story of the mythical creatures here in the Philippines

through game development;
 Integrate appropriate algorithms to be applied in the game, and
 Evaluate the game in terms of its functionality, usability, reliability,
efficiency.

Significance of the Study

The statement of the significance is an important part of scientific report

particularly in computer science theses involving foundations of computer
science. All scientific studies should be significant in one way or another,
because it is intended to add to the body of knowledge. The significance of the
study therefore will assert and explain to the reader why the study is vital and
essential. Simply stated, this part of the thesis will; provide the contribution of
your study to the field of computing science. In other countries, this part of the
thesis is termed as “Contributions”

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Dr. Majunath Narayana, in his Computer science thesis entitled Probabilistic
Models for Motion Segmentation in Image Sequences, explain the contribution
or significance of his study in this wise:

Contributions of the Thesis

The main contributions of the thesis include:

1. Description of the probabilistic background model that intuitively

combines location-specific priors and spatially smoothed
appearance likelihoods for the background and foreground.
2. Improvements to stationary camera motion segmentation algorithms
by using pixel-wise adaptive kernel variances resulting in the state
of the art accuracy on benchmark data.
3. Development of an accurate moving camera motion segmentation
algorithm that addresses current challenges in segmentation by
using optical flow orientations in a non-parametric probabilistic
model.
4. Introduction of a rotation compensation algorithm that enables the
application of the segmentation algorithm to videos that contain both
translation and rotation motion of the camera.

Purpose and Description

In writing purpose and description, the proponent must state the function of his
capstone project. It should not attempt to claim that the project will add to the
body of knowledge. It is for the reason that the authors humbly submit, that
members of the panel of examiners should not ask the proponent(s) the
following question:

“What is the contribution of your capstone project to the body of

knowledge?”

This is because IT and IS capstone projects, generally, do not contribute

to the body of knowledge but focuses on the contribution of the project to
its specific beneficiaries.

Hence, the importance of the capstone project must contain explanations

discussions of any of the following:

1. The rationale, timeliness and relevance of the study

2. Possible solutions to the existing problems or improvement to
unsatisfactory conditions.
3. The beneficiaries, and how they are going to be benefited

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 4. Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge
5. Possible implications

It is good to start the purpose and description by providing the function of the
capstone project, thus:

Demo: In the capstone project entitled, “Development and Evaluation of

Classroom Schedule Generator (CSG): An Expert System using Microsoft
Visual Basic”

Purpose and Description

The project was conducted in order to assist the school

administrators in the preparation of classroom schedules as well as
teaching loads of faculty members every term or semester by developing
a software called Classroom Schedule Generator (CSG). Once
developed, CSG shall automatically prepare the classroom schedules of
students and teaching loads of faculty members”

Enumerate its features and capabilities;

CDS, an expert system has the following capabilities:

1. Assign classes, lecture or laboratory, in appropriate rooms.

Hence, lecture classes shall not be assigned to laboratory
classrooms and laboratory classes shall not be assigned to
lecture classes.
2. Maximizes room, student and faculty schedules depending on
the priority set by the users. Hence, if there is a shortage of
faculty member, say, only one teacher can handle a particular
course, the highest priority shall be set to faculty. On the other
hand, if there is only one computer laboratory room, the
highest priority shall be set to the said laboratory.
3. Assigned teaching load of faculty members in accordance to
the course and time schedule preference set by the users. So,
in case of part time faculty members, is only available T-TH
5:00- 9:00PM, the system cannot assign classes to him
beyond the said schedule;
4. Ensure that only four (4) preparations shall be given to any
faculty members;
5. Provide full load for fulltime faculty members depending on the
number of units set by the user. So, if fulltime faculty members
is teaching 18 units, 18 units shall be set; if the teaching units

15
 is set beyond 18 units, it means that the dean is allowing the
said faculty members to have overload.
6. Make an appropriate recommendation in case there will be not
enough resources in making schedules.

In writing the “Purpose and Description”, the features and capabilities

should be written in such a way that it would highlight the significance of
the project. Furthermore, it should be written using a general language
and non-technical terms. This is to distinguish it from “Requirement
Documentation” which states what the software will do in greater details.

After enumerating the project’s rationale, timeliness and relevance by

illustrating that it will solve existing problems. Possible beneficiaries as
well as implication

Contents of Thesis

Title Page

16
Approval Sheet
Abstract
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Notations

CHAPTER I RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

Research Context
Research Problem
General Problem
Specific Problems
Research Objectives
General Objectives
Specific Objectives
Research Framework
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual
Framework
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Significance of the Study

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design
Population of the Study
Sampling Design
Data Collection Method
Software Methodology
Software Product Schedule

CHAPTER IV SOFTWARE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

System Overview
Software Architecture
Hardware and Software
Resources

CHAPTER V RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

17
CHAPTER VI SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS

Literature Cited

Appendices

Letter Request for the Client

Evaluation Form
Certificate of System Testing
Grammarian Certificate
Sample Printouts
User Manual

18