BSc Computing and Information Systems Module: M2X8630 Research and Development Methods Introduction

Module Content Research Principles and Approaches Types of Research Data Collection and Sampling Methods Data Analysis Approaches to Systems Development The Techniques and Stages in Systems Development Frameworks for Comparing Methodologies Developing and Structuring a Project Proposal Professional Presentation Techniques

Module Assessment 1 x 3 hour lecture for 20 weeks Number of Assignments = 2 Number of Exams = 0

What is Research? “Research is creating new knowledge” Neil Armstrong “Research is to see what everyone else has seen and, and to think what nobody else has thought” Albert Szent-Gyorgyi “A PhD project is about finding out more and more about less and less until one eventually knows everything about nothing.” Unknown source

The Purpose of Research The aim of research is to make an original contribution to current state-of-the-art research It may also advance knowledge in directions other than the currently accepted theories Research must therefore be: Embedded in a recognisable field of study, recognising and building upon past works Of interest to other researchers in the same (and possibly other) field Generalisable to more than a single experience, circumstance or environment

So what is it really, then?  Research can be done in many ways including:   Pure, applied and strategic research Descriptive, explanatory and evaluation research Market and academic research Exploratory, testing-out and problem solving research Covert and collaborative research Basic, applied, instrumental and action research But it is always a research PROJECT

Aims of this Module Review critically the current research literature pertinent to a research topic and communicate the results to specialists and non specialist audience To be able to produce a project proposal that outlines appropriately the research and development strategies to be applied for the achievement of the objectives of the study. Note: (About two thirds of the marks of any project are awarded for applying the “Research Toolbox” correctly, less than one third are awarded for the actual implementation or application produced)

The Research Process Produce a research proposal Conduct a literature review Select research questions Define a methodology Create an appropriate research instrument Apply methodology and instruments Perform some analysis Test hypotheses & draw conclusions

Research in Computing Software-related computer science produces inventions, not discoveries The objective of research in computing is to make networks/computers more efficient/ reliable/ usable A research outcome is therefore only as useful as the research community or the public think it is