1. BSc Computing and Information Systems Module: M2X8630 Research and Development Methods (Neath/Afan) Introduction

2. Module Roadmap - check 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

3. Module Assessment  1 x 3 hour lecture for 10 weeks  Number of Assignments = 2  Number of Exams = 0

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. The Research Process Produce a research proposal Conduct a literature reviewSelect research questionsDefine a methodologyCreate an appropriate research instrumentApply methodology and instruments Perform some analysis Test hypotheses & draw conclusions

9. 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

10. What is research methodology? Research methodology refers to the step-by- step research process; the selection of the most efficient ways to collect, analyse and present data whilst maintaining academic rigour. ‘an operational framework within which the facts are placed so that their meaning may be seen more clearly’. Leedy (1989, cited by Remenyi et al, 1998, p. 28)

11. Research Methodologies for Computing There are a lot of methodologies out there Some are better for computing than others A good starting point is the ‘research onion’

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13. Your research philosophy, depends on the way that you think about the development of knowledge It asks the question ‘how do we know what we know?’ Two main research philosophies: ◦Positivism ◦Phenomenology Research Philosophy

14. Positivism Philosophy Positivists believe that knowledge we may gain is based on the observation or experience of real phenomena in an objective and real world (Cornford and Smithson, 2006) Positivism contends there are single true answers to questions, which can be found by carefully applying scientific procedures, such as experiments.

15. ‘The positivist approach seeks the facts or causes of social phenomena with little regard to the subjective state. Thus logical reasoning is applied to the research so that precision, objectivity and rigour replace hunches, experience and intuition as a means of investigating the research problem.’ (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 52) This view has come under considerable criticism in recent years from researchers who argue that research is heavily influenced by a person’s world-view or perception. Positivism Philosophy

16. ‘The phenomenological paradigm is concerned with understanding human behaviour. This approach stresses the subjective aspects of human activity by focusing on the meaning, rather than measurement of social phenomena.’ (Collis and Hussey, 2003, p. 53) Reality is socially constructed, based on participants’ perceptions, and needs to be ‘understood’ rather than trying to generate ‘facts’ (Saunders et al, 2007) We all see the world through our own ‘conceptual goggles’, so rather than attempting to find single true answers to our focus questions, we are attempting to build knowledge from event(s) and/or object(s), based upon the world as we see it. Phenomenology Philosophy

17. Features of the main research philosophies (paradigms) PositivismPhenomenology Tends to produce quantitative data Uses large samples Concerned with testing theory (deductive approach) Data is highly specific & precise The location is artificial Reliability is high Validity is low Generalises from sample to population Tends to produce qualitative data Uses small samples Concerned with generating theory (inductive approach) Data is rich and subjective The location is natural Reliability is low Validity is high Generalises from one setting to another

18. Some associated methods of the main philosophies (paradigms) PositivismPhenomenology Structured questionnaire surveys Structured interview surveys Experiments Action research Case studies Document analysis Unstructured interviews Focus groups

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20. Research Approaches Two major types: ◦Deductive research (linked to positivism) ◦Inductive research (linked to phenomenography) Relates to the extent to which you are clear about the ‘theory’ at the beginning of your research

21. The Deductive Approach The deductive approach aims to test theory This involves developing a theory and hypothesis, and designing a research strategy to test that hypothesis The outcome will be a confirmation or modification of the theory ◦e.g. You hypothesise that your new piece of software is better (faster, more usable, has more features) than an existing piece of software

22. Deduction emphasises… Scientific principles Moving from theory to data The need to explain causal relationships between variables The collection of quantitative data A highly structured approach Researcher independence of what is being researched Large sample size to allow generalisations

23. The Inductive Approach The inductive approach aims to build theory This involves collecting data, analysing it, then developing theory The outcome will be to add to the body of knowledge in that area ◦e.g. You develop a description of how businesses use Facebook for advertising based upon a survey of local businesses

24. Induction emphasises… Gaining an understanding of the meanings humans attach to events A close understanding of the research context The collection of qualitative data A more flexible structure to permit changes of research emphasis as the research progresses A realisation that the researcher is part of the research process Less concern with the need to generalise

25. Theory Hypotheses Data Confirmation Theory Patterns Data Tentative Hypotheses Data DeductiveInductive Research Approach Deductive approach: testing theory Inductive approach: building theory

26. Which Approach is best? Deduction: ◦Is suitable when your research topic has a wealth of literature from which you can define a theoretical framework and a hypothesis ◦Is quicker, often based on ‘one take’ Induction: ◦Is suitable when the topic is new, has much debate and/or there is little existing literature ◦Takes longer to gather the data

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28. Research Strategy There are a number of research strategies or approaches available to the researcher, including: ◦Experiment ◦Survey ◦Case study ◦Action research

29. TASK 1 – Research Strategy Form groups of 2-3 Each group should work collaboratively to create a PowerPoint presentation on the topic of: Research Strategies for Computing Projects The presentation should be aimed at new BSc students embarking on their first Research Project The task should be completed before the next session when each group should be ready to deliver their findings in a 15 minute presentation Note: Examples of computer projects should be discussed for each strategy Vancouver referencing must be used

30. Research strategy Your research strategy is the general plan of how you will go about achieving your research objectives (you will specify the specific tactics of data collection later) The research strategy is determined by four key issues: ◦Research questions/objectives; ◦Costs or budget available to the researcher; ◦Time available and target date for completion; ◦Skills of the researcher. You must have valid reasons for all your research strategy decisions. The justification should be based primarily on your research objectives (what suits best).