1. Research Methods in Computer Science James Gain jgain@cs.uct.ac.za

2. Research Methods Administrivia Recommended Textbook: Martin S Olivier, Information Technology Research — A Practical Guide for Computer Science and Informatics (2 nd ed.) Van Schaik, 2004 2 Credits (16 lectures) 2 Assignments: 1.Literature Survey 2.Project Proposal Computing Knowledge Required: Online access (library, search engines, databases and publications) Microsoft Project (or similar project planning tool) Spreadsheet

3. Research Methods This Course What is the Purpose of these Lectures? Gain skills that are valuable (and valued) outside academia Prepare for your honours projects Learn about research-oriented careers Both theoretical (what is the idea?) and practical side (how do you do your projects?)

4. Research Methods This Course Understand research in Computer Science Gain methods to plan and propose research projects Specifically your honours project Know how to conduct your own research in an ethical and professional manner Learn to communicate your results

5. Research Methods TopicsI Introduction[3] Designing a research project Ethics Pitfalls The research process Surveys and Getting Information Project Management[2] Experimental Computer Science[3] Models Prototypes Algorithms Experiments

6. Research Methods TopicsII Role of Mathematics[1] Designing User Evaluation Experiments[2] Statistics Qualitative Research[2] Case Studies Arguments Action Research Ethnography Writing[3] Reporting Results Submitting a Paper Presenting a Paper Preparing a Poster