1. Research projects for MSc dissertations Antonella De Angeli Centre for HCI Design School of Informatics

2. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware2 Styles of project System development –Use and integrate established techniques in order to build a computer-based system Research project –Original research on the deployment, engineering or evaluation of a computer- based system

3. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware3 Types of research project Devise new algorithms Test existing algorithms in new context Develop new methodologies (design- development-evaluation) Investigate adoption and acceptance of IS

4. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware4 Must have Clear success criteria –Is the project good or bad? Risk analysis –What can go wrong? Contingency plan –How do I minimise risk?

5. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware5 Acquiring knowledge Tenacity –Accept ideas as valid because they have been accepted for so long Intuition –Accepting ideas as valid because they ‘feel’ intuitively true Authority –Accepting ideas as valid because some respected authority asserts that the ideas are true Rationalism –Developing valid ideas using existing ideas and principles of logic Empiricism –Gaining knowledge through observations Science –A process which combines the principles of rationalism with the process of empiricism, using rationalism to develop theories and empiricism to test these theories

6. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware6 Scientific research Systematic search for information What distinguish scientific research from other forms of research is the emphasis on using integrated empirical and rational processes –gaining information through sensory experiences and reasoning

7. Science is a way of thinking

8. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware8 Scientific research Is the process of formulating specific questions and finding answers in order to understand a phenomenon better SCIENCE IS A PROCESS OF INQUIRY

9. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware9 The essence of modern science is the way of thinking, the disciplined way in which questions are posed and answered. It is the logical process and demands for evidence, and NOT the technologies, that lies at the centre of science. It is an intellectual process, and its ultimate goal is to understand the natural universe.

10. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware10 Asking questions A question is one side of an idea; on the other side is an unknown – A POTENTIAL ANSWER Asking questions is creative – it is the exercise of curiosity

11. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware11 Approach to questioning Disciplined – rigorous – scientific Researchers are pervasive Sceptics; they constantly challenge existing accepted wisdom –It may have some consequences May be undesired Knowledge is always incomplete – it is always tentative

12. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware12 Scientific research - stages Posing a question Developing procedures to answer the question Planning for and then making appropriate empirical observation Rationally interpreting the empirical observation

13. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware13 Elements of research Facts –data or empirical observations Observation: –empirical process of recognising and recording facts Inference: –intellectual process in which conclusions are derived from facts or ideas Constructs –Non observable inferred events (gravity- electricity – intelligence, personality, user-experience)

14. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware14 Type of reasoning Inductive –Begin with empirical observations and then infers construct Deductive –Use the constructs as the basis of making new specific observations Both type of reasoning are part of science

15. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware15 Theories Formalised set of concepts which –summarises and organises observations and inferences –Provides tentative explanations for phenomena –Provides the basis for making predictions A scientific theory must be –Testable –Contradictable

16. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware16 Models Description or analogy that represents something usually unseen and/or more complex Mini-theories A model REPRESENTS reality

17. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware17 Phases of a research study 1.Idea-generating phase –Identify a topic of interest to study 2.Problem-definition phase –Refine the vague idea(s) into a precise question to be answered 3.Procedures-design phase –Decide on specific procedures/methods to answer our question 4.Testing phase –Use the procedures devised in 3 to test your idea/theory/model 5.Interpretation phase –Answer your question – based on results from phase 4 6.Communication phase – your Dissertation!!!! –Should include a description of all preceding phases

18. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware18 Problem-definition phase Learn how other research have conceptualised, measured, and tested these ideas Library research Refine research question so that it can be answered

19. 2004/05CT334/434 CSCW: Groupware19 Conclusion Research is asking the right questions Applying proper methodology to find answers It is challenging, tiring, fashinating