Research Methodology For Information Technology Students [cf. Martin Olivier 1997] Created by Piet Boonzaier Chapter 2 Designing your project

Research Methodology Designing your Project Different approaches:  Literature surveys  Models  Languages  Prototypes  Mathematical proofs  Experiments  Case studies  Arguments

Research Methodology 2.1Methods Literature surveys be thorough place your own research project into a scientific perspective determine how your project will contribute to the existing knowledge base enable others to discover the worth of your research as an addition to the body of knowledge avoid duplication of effort (replication without improvement) avoid or solve problems others have encountered

Research Methodology Deciding which information is relevant to your project l information concerning theory l information concerning methods l information concerning data analysis

Research Methodology Models l easier to comprehend or manipulate than the real thing l mathematical models are popular l examples: ISO OSI and ANSI/SPARC l architecture of a system is often proposed by using a model

Research Methodology Languages  type of language depends on your goal  not presented primarily to propose a new language, but rather to clarify some aspect of your research  often introduced with the same intentions as models (eg. new type of database)  syntax is usually described formally  semantics described informally

Research Methodology Arguments l any research includes some reasoning l may range from stating obvious facts to detailed reasoning

Research Methodology Mathematical proof l is the ultimate argument l if the proof is correct it cannot be disputed l mathematical proofs are, however, based on asumptions l sometimes assumptions are expressed as axioms l sometimes assumptions are tacit

Research Methodology Prototypes l can demonstrate that a new model can indeed be implemented l can serve as a vehicle for experimentation l construction can provide new insights into the model l implementation of a complex system can serve as the basis of a case study

Research Methodology Algorithms (a series of step-by-step instructions that produces a solution to a problem) l purpose might be to find a new algorithm for some problem l useful to express some ideas as program fragments l algorithms have to be good - better than any previously proposed algorithm l parts have to be short

Research Methodology Surveys l conducted using questionnaires l not only applicable to humans l test theories put forward about the surveyed population

Research Methodology Case Studies l similar goals than surveys l studies one or more cases that presently occur in detail l are often qualitative than quantitative

Research Methodology Experiments l try something and note the effects l can be conducted under controlled conditions, or in the field l controlled conditions (laboratory) - attempt to measure the effects precisely l field experiments - studies are often qualitative

Research Methodology l Project Design l primary goals and secondary goals l different methods may be used to help reach each goal l consider the role of every method used in the design l explicitly design the project to ensure that secondary methods will provide the results that will support the primary method l plan accurately

Research Methodology l (cont.) l explain why the particular design was used - include this argument in your final report l categorise research goals as technical, social or philosophical l methods are either empirical, creative or tautological

Next Steps Next we shall explore: l The formalities of research l The psychological factors behind research l Some philosophical factors involved with research

Assignment In not more than 400 words, describe how you would go about writing a research article that would meet with the minimum requirements and characteristics of a good research report. Use the following criteria as a guideline: *Review of previous research on the topic *The problem and the purpose *The possible solutions (hypotheses) *The method used *The sample (if appliccable to the method) *Results and discussions *References *General overview

Assignment (cont.) The following books will help you, and are on reserve at the library: 1.Research Methods; Francis C. Dane (p ) 2.Methods of Social Research; Kenneth D. Bailey (p ) - only background 3.Exploring Research; Neil J. Salkind (p ) Do not concentrate on the examples, but rather look at the methodology. This assignment has to be handed in on or before the due date!? (if you were in class you would know!) Good Luck, and enjoy!!!