1. Classify the theses you are reading

2. Historical Research Historical research is involved with the study of past events. Example: –Evolution of Hard drive Interface units –Factors leading to the development and growth of cooperative learning. –Effects of decisions of the United States Supreme Court on American Education.

3. Qualitative research is involved in the study of current events rather than past events. It involves the collection of extensive narrative data (non- numerical data)

4. Quantitative research Descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions regarding the subjects of the study –Example: What do IT professionals do vs. CS professionals. Correlational research –attempts to determine whether and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable (numerical) variables. Example: The more alcohol, the drunker the person gets.

5. Quantitative research(2) –Causal-comparative research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the variables of the study. Usually among groups of test objects. Experimental research: the cause (the independent variable) is under the control of the experimenter.