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

2. 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

3. Module Assessment 1 x 3 hour lecture for 20 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 review
Select research questions
Define a methodology
Create an appropriate research instrument
Apply 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