Lecture7 (cs212)(research methods)

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Research Methods (Technical Writing CS212)

Lecture 7

Abdisalam Issa-Salwe

Taibah University

College of Computer Science & Engineering

Computer Science Department

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Topic List2

1. Definition of research

2. Research key-terms

3. Research process views

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Definition of Research

� Research is an original investigation

undertaken in order to gain knowledge

and understanding (HEFCE)

�Good researcher is the one who struggles

to find out what the right questions might

be.

Technical Writing (CS212)

Asking the right questions Original investigation

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Research Ideas

� Where Do Ideas for Research Originate? A research project is the outgrowth of 4 factors:”

�The Researcher

�The Academic Environment

�The Literature

�The broader Culture

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Four Goals of Research/Four Research Designs

1. Observational

2. Correlational

3. Experimental

4. Quasi-experimental

1. Describe

2. Predict

3. Understand

4. Create Change

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Formulating a Research Question

� The research question: a very specific, narrowly focused question, often a piece carved out of a bigger topic.

�Consult the literature to see what aspects of the topic have already been researched.

� Carefully word the research question to be precise and concise.

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Choosing a Research Design

� The nature of the research question will determine the type of research “design” to use.

� A research “design” is a plan for answering a research question.

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Research Key-Terms


� Research key-terms: knowledge, originality, andcontribution

� Relation between the three research constituents:

Original investigation

Gaining knowledge Contribution into knowledgemay lead

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Knowledge


Data Information

Knowledge

analyze

Wisdom

what?

ability to practice

how?

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Originality


�Exploring the unknown

�Exploring the unanticipated

�The use of data

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Research Process Views


� Sequential – a series of activities performed one after

another:

1. Select a research topic;

2. Decide on an approach;

3. Plan how you will perform the research;

4. Gather data and information;

5. Identify the broad area of study;

6. Analyze and interpret these data;

7. Present the results and findings;

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Research Process Views (cont…)


�Generalized – identical to the sequential

process but not all stages are necessarily

applicable.

�Circulatory – part of a continuous cycle of

discovery and investigation.

�Evolutionary – research must evolve and

change over time, not necessarily following

a defined circulatory pattern or repeating the

same forms of analysis and interpretation.

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Reasoning Methods


�Deductive reasoning – top-down approach

directed from the more general to the more

specific.

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Reasoning Methods (cont…)


� Inductive reasoning – bottom-up approach

directed from the more specific to the more

general.

� Inductive reasoning – bottom-up approach

directed from the more specific to the more

general.

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A Theory

� Theory is a set of ideas, formally stated, that seeks to explain how an aspect of nature works.

� Research cannot prove a theory,

only support it. Why is this so?

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3 Functions of a Theory� Research findings then reflect back upon the

theory, supporting it or suggesting a need for modification.

�To EXPLAIN a phenomenon or aspect of behavior.

�To ORGANIZE existing knowledge about a phenomenon.

�To GENERATE HYPOTHESES(PREDICTIONS) about a phenomenon, to be tested through research.

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What is a “good” theory?

� One that is…

� Parsimonious

� Clear & precise

� Logical

� Generates hypotheses for research

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Does All Research Test a Theory?

� Not necessarily:

�Most published research reports are not tests of a particular theory.

�Researchers do attempt to refer to and include theories in their write-up.

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Predicting An Outcome

� Not only does the researcher have to commit to a very specific question, he/she may have to commit to a predicted outcome for your study.

� This prediction is the research hypothesis.

� Research that is purely descriptive doesn’t need to state an hypothesis.

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The Research Hypothesis

� An hypothesis is a formal predictionof the study’s outcome (what will be found).

� It is an educated guess, based one or more of the following:

� Particular Knowledge Area Theories

�Researcher’s observations

�Previous published research

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Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis

� Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis means answering the research question

� Concepts must be defined in terms that are observable and measurable.

� This function is achieved through creating operational definitions for the concepts.

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Operational Definitions

� An operational definition transforms an abstract concept into something measurable, like scores on a test.

� How many operational definitions exist for a single concept?

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Variables

� A variable is: an aspect of reality that varies in its value or dimension – (either naturally or because the researcher caused it to vary.)

� Concrete variables: language aspect, duration (time) to finish the project, number of the research group, etc.

� Abstract variables: anxiety, motivation, communication style

� Operational definitions of concepts give the researchers the variables for the study.

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Two Types of Variables

Researchers work with variables in

2 different ways:

1. Variables can be measured.

2. Variables can be manipulated (experimental designs only).

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Independent & Dependent Variables

� Independent Variable: a variable that is manipulated in an experiment to provide participants with different experiences. (Not all designs use independent variables)

� Dependent Variable: a variable that is measured in an experiment in order to see any effects of the independent variable.

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Reference

� Mohammad Alsuraihi, Technical Writing, CS212 Course notes, Taibah University, Madinah, KSA

� Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Teaching Notes, College of Computer Science and Engineering, Taibah University, Madinah, KSA.

Lecture7 (cs212)(research methods)

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