Research Methods in Computer Science

Dear students,

welcome to the course “Research Methods for Computer Science”. The course is primarily for PhD students, but also open for master thesis students who are doing the master thesis.

I would appreciate, if you would add some details about you in the Google form. This would help me to prepare and adjust the lectures to your research areas.

Best regards,
Knut Hinkelmann

Teachers:

• Knut Hinkelmann

Schedule:

• Tuesday, 20th of April, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 27th of April, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 4th of May, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 11th of May, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 18th of May, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 25th of May, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 1st of June, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday, 8th of June, 2pm - 6pm (reserve)

WebEx:

• WebEx room for the lecture: https://unicam.webex.com/join/knut.hinkelmann

This course prepares students to undertake research projects with a focus on Computer Science and Information Systems research. Emphasis is placed on applying skills that lead to a successful closure of a research journey on maser level or PhD. Skills such as the ability to frame a research problem, evaluate relevant literature, generate research objective and research questions, the ability to understand a conceptual framework, the ability to select and justify a particular research design and methodology and the ability to frame their contribution to knowledge. Students will understand and apply the important methods and techniques and will learn how to report critically on research outcomes.

• Overview of the research process
  • What is Research?
  • Research Process
• Research Problem
• Making a Literature Review
  • Purpose of the literature review
  • Finding literature
  • Tools for managing literature (Mendeley, Paperpile)
  • Processing the literature
  • Writing the literature review
• Research Problem, Research Contribution and Thesis Statement
  • Problem Statement
  • Identify the research contribution
  • Phrasing a Thesis Statement/Research Question
• Research Methodology
  • Research strategies:
    • Systematic Literature Review
    • Case Study
    • Design Science Research
  • Research approaches: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods
  • Identifying research objectives and formulating research questions
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Project Management
• Writing a Paper
  • Structure of a paper
  • Referencing
  • Writing strategy
  • Writing tips

Will be made available during the course

Course Material

• Teaching Material
  1. Introduction - What is Research?
     • Slides: Introduction - What is Research?
     • Video: What is Research
     • Notes: What is Research
     • Notes: Basic vs. Applied Research
  2. Research Problem
     • Slides: Research Problem
     • Literature: * Ellis, T. J., & Levy, Y. (2008). Framework of Problem-Based Research : A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem.
     • Video: How to define and narrow down your research topic
  3. Literature Review
     • Slides: Literature Review
     • Literature: Levy and Ellis (2006). A Systems Approach to Conduct an Effective Literature Review in Support of Information Systems Research.
     • Guide: How to Structure your Literature Review
     • Guide: How to read journal articles quickly
     • Video: Academic Research and Literature Review
     • Video: Gradcoach - How to write a Literature Review
     • Video: Overview of the Mendeley Reference Manager (duration: 2:24)
     • Video: Tutorial The Mendeley Reference Manager (duration: 24:26)
  4. Referencing Literature
     • Slides: Referencing Literature
     • Slides: Some avoidable mistakes
     • Video: Mike Webb on Harvard Referencing - Part 1: Principles
     • Video: Mike Webb on Harvard Referencing - Part 2: Details about the Reference List
  5. Research Contribution and Thesis Statement
     • Slides: Problem Statement, Research Contribution and Thesis Statement
     • Literature: Presthus and Munkvold (2016). How to frame your contribution to knowledge
     • Homework: Thesis Statement
  6. Research Strategies
     • Slides: Design Science Research
       • Hevner, A. R., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design Science in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly, 28(1), 75–105.
       • Hevner, A. R., & Chatterjee, S. (2010). Design Research in Information Systems. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5653-8
     • Slides: Case Study
       • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications - Design and Methods, 6th Edition. SAGE Publications.
     • Slides: Systematic Literature Review
  7. Data Collection and Analysis
  8. Writing the Thesis

*/

• Literature
  • Hofstee, E. (2006). Constructing a Good Dissertation. EPE. http://www.exactica.co.za/
  • Ellis, T. J., & Levy, Y. (2008). Framework of Problem-Based Research : A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem.
  • Levy and Ellis (2006). A Systems Approach to Conduct an Effective Literature Review in Support of Information Systems Research.
  • Levy and Ellis (2006). Towards a Framework of Literature Review Process in Support of Information Systems Research
  • Presthus and Munkvold (2016). How to frame your contribution to knowledge
  • Hevner, A. R., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design Science in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly, 28(1), 75–105.
  • Hevner, A. R., & Chatterjee, S. (2010). Design Research in Information Systems. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5653-8
  • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications - Design and Methods, 6th Edition. SAGE Publications.
  • Harvard Referencing from Anglia Ruskin University: Quick Guide and Detailed Description
• Citation Guides from Mendeley

Exam Dates A.Y. 2020/2021

• Tuesday, 8th of June, 2pm - 6pm - Oral interviews
• Tuesday, 22nd of June, 2pm - 6pm - Oral interviews

Exam rules: