Research Methodology

in
Computer Science
and
Information Technology
 Research Methodology
in
Computer Science
and
Information Technology

Lecture 1: Introduction to Research

 This course will

• Encourage you to develop your research skills

• Enable you to explore the areas of interest related to your
degree specialization
• Facilitate your application of knowledge in your respective
degree specialization
• Prepare the groundwork to enable independent learning and
study during the research process
• Allow you the opportunity to critically analyze the chosen area
of study
• Assist you in identifying reliable sources of information

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 This course will NOT

• Provide you with a research title

• Solve the problems of the industry you plan to join
• Give you all the answers

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 Topics we will cover
• Types of research
• Sources of research information
• Primary and secondary research
• Methods of data collection
• Data analysis
• Research Ethics
• Critical thinking

AND… idea generation

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 Assessments

• Assignments/ midExam??/ 40%

/ Preparing a Research Proposal
/ Preparing a Scientific Paper
/ Thesis Presentation
SO, YOU NEED TIME MANAGEMENT!!!
• Final Examination 60%

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 What is Research?

• Research is:
“…the systematic process of collecting and
analyzing information (data) in order to increase
our understanding of the phenomenon about
which we are concerned or interested”

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 What is Research?

• Science develops through some systematic

observation, measurementation,
experimentation, and interpretation
procedure called “research”.
• Thus, research is the most important, if not
the only tool for development of science.

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 What is Research?

• “Research can be described as a systematic and

organized effort to investigate a specific problem that
needs a solution” (Sekaran 1992, p.4).
• Keywords:
1. Systematic (Methodical) and organized (planned)
2. It encompasses the processes of inquiring /
investigating – end result would help to solve
problems or suggest ways to solve problems.

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 More Understanding on What is
Research ?
• Research is a careful and systematic process of inquiry
to find answers to problem of interest.
• Research include:
– use of facts,
– use of theories,
– data (fact) analysis,
– sampling,
– doing an experiment,
– going to library to read up on a topic.
• To do ‘research’ is to investigate the problem
systematically and thoroughly.
• Goal of research is to solve ‘problem’ of interest
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 Research Characteristics

1. Originates with a question or problem.

2. Requires clear articulation of a goal.
3. Follows a specific plan or procedure.
4. Often divides main problem into subproblems.
5. Guided by specific problem, question, or
hypothesis.
6. Requires collection and interpretation of data.
7. Cyclical (helical) in nature.

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 The Aims of Research

• To describe about a phenomena

• To predict about “something” in the future
• To explain about solution of problem
• To interpret what is being investigate

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 Research environment

• Research is conducted mainly in the following

institutions all-over the world:
- Government or private research
institutions.
- Research and development (R&D) units
of big companies.
- Research in the universities.

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 Characteristics of research Process

Research is:
• controlled.
• rigorous (strictly accurate).
• systematic.
• empirical.
• innovative.
• usually expensive.
• Research outcomes are valid and verifiable.

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 What is IT/Computer Science Research?

• A human activity based on the intellectual

investigation of aspects of the world related to
the discipline of IT/Computer Science for the
purpose of:
– discovering new knowledge,
– interpreting existing knowledge or
– revising inaccurate or incomplete knowledge.

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 What is Computer Science?

• The body of knowledge resulting from this

discipline contains theories for understanding:
– computing systems and methods;
– design methodology, algorithms, and tools;
– methods for the testing of concepts;
– methods of analysis and verification; and
– knowledge representation and implementation.

Src: National Coordination Office for Networking and Information technology Research and Development1 (NITRD).

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 Scientific Methods

• “Methods” means way

• Methodology is the discipline of scientific
procedures.

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 What is Methodology ?

• A formalized approach to conduct research

– A series of phases and deliverables.
• Research Methodology In Computer
Science/Information System/Information
Technology (CS/IS/IT)
“A collection of methods, procedures,
techniques, tools and documentation aids which
will help the researcher in their efforts to
conduct a research in the field of CS/IS/IT”.
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 Research Methodology Vs. Research
Method
• Research Methodology:
– Conceptual frameworks and assumptions
used to inform research
– Elaboration of research method
• Research Method:
– Research technique or procedure used to
gather and analyze data

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 Research Methodology

• A research methodology will consist of phases,

sub-phases, which will guide the researchers
in their choice of the methods, techniques,
procedures, tools, etc., that might be
appropriate at each stage of the research and
also help them plan, manage, control and
evaluate the progress of research.

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• A research methodology represents a way to
develop research systematically.
• A research methodology represents a way to
do scientific inquiry.
• A research methodology should have a sound
theoretical basis.

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 Why Methodology ?

• It will make you better able to understand and

utilize scientific information in both your
personal life and your work.
• It will make you a more literate and cultured
person.
• It provides you some insight not only into
particular scientific findings but also into
the general nature of science as a human
activity.

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 Nature of Research in CS/IS/IT
• Research in CS often requires experimental design as well as
theoretical (basic) research
– Hence, we have to have a methodology in order to
conduct research
– Science approach :new knowledge, theory
• Research in IS/IT often requires system development
– Hence, we have to have a methodology in order to
develop a system (IS/IT system)
– Engineering approach: construction of useful
products
• This IS/IT Development Methodology can be used as a
Research Methodology in IS/IT field.

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 How to Start A Research?
• Determine a well define problem
– Understanding about something
• Science approach: phenomena, theory, hypothesis,
experiment..
– Constructing product
• Engineering approach: build a system that perform a
(unique) task, experiment, convergence results
(stable)..
• Follow the steps in the research methodology
• Research results: knowledge, algorithm, method, technique,
approach, framework, product (system), model, etc…

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 Problem Formulation

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 What does Research in degree studies
involve?
• Doing secondary research i.e. familiarising yourself
with the work of “experts” – this process is known as
a Literature Review.
• Doing a primary research – to build upon what you
have already found out about a subject.
• Comparing the findings and drawing your own
conclusions.
• So, Diploma/ Master/ PhD ?

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 The research – How !!!!

• Start with a question

• State a goal
• Form a plan
• Formulate experiments and hypotheses
• Make and state important assumptions
• Collect and interpret data
• Research doesn’t happen in straight lines

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 Purpose of Research

Two purposes:
1. To generate more knowledge and understanding of
the phenomena of interest and to build theories
based on the research results.
- Basic Research
Example: The public’s opinion of the effectiveness
of its Police Department in tracking people
released on bail (financial guarantee)..

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2. To solve a current problem faced by the manager in
the work setting, demanding a timely solution.
- Applied Research
Example: The Police Department has asked a
research company to come up with a new system
of tracking people released on bail.

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 Types/Classifications of Research

• The research can be classified from three

perspectives:
1- Application
• Basic and applied research
2- Objectives
• Exploratory, Descriptive, or Fundamental
3- Type of data
• Qualitative and quantitative

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 Research Outcomes
• A new or improved product.
• A new theory or a reinterpretation of an existing theory.
• A new or improved research tool or technique.
• A new or improved algorithm/method.
• A new or improved model.
• A new or improved framework.
• An in-depth study.
• An exploration of a topic area or field.
• A critical analysis.
• A portfolio of work based on research.
• A fact or conclusion, or a collection of facts or conclusions.

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 Research Process Steps

1. Selection of research area (Defining a problem)

2. Preliminary information gathering (Informal
Secondary Research)
3. Literature Review (formal secondary research)
4. Hypothesising
5. Further data collection (Primary Research)
6. Data analysis
7. Deduction (conclusion)
8. Writing the report/ article/ thesis …

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 Originality in research

• Originality is a "must" in research.

• It is a high-profile requirement.
• You should develop the necessary skills to
recognize "what is original?" and implement it
into your work.
• It may need a considerable incubation period for
the creative skills to function effectively in
development of originality in your research.
• You need to appreciate the scope and potential
of originality.

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 The research process: an eight-step model
• Phase I: deciding what to research
– Step I: formulating a research problem
• Phase II: planning a research study
– Step II: conceptualizing a research design
– Step III: constructing an instrument for data collection
– Step IV: selecting a sample
– Step V: writing a research proposal
• Phase III: conducting a research study
– Step VI: collecting data
– Step VII: processing and displaying data
– Step VIII: writing a research report

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