Research Methods in Computer Science

Dear students,

I offer three dates for the oral discussion:

• Tuesday, 8th of June, afternoon
• Thursday, 10th of June, morning
• Tuesday, 29th of June, afternoon

We will have a discussion about your research. You should be able to explain your research problem and discuss about the literature search procedure, the choice and appropriateness of your research method, etc.

Please book a timeslot by entering your name in the Google sheet

Best regards, Knut

Teachers:

• Knut Hinkelmann

Schedule:

• Tuesday, 20th of April, 2pm - 6pm, online
• Tuesday, 27th of April, 2pm - 6pm, online
• Tuesday, 4th of May, 2pm - 6pm, online
• Tuesday, 11th of May, 2pm - 6pm, online
• Tuesday, 25th of May, 2pm - 6pm, Room E Polo Physics and online
• Tuesday, 1st of June, 2pm - 6pm, Room E Polo Physics and online
• Tuesday, 8th of June, 2pm - 6pm, online only

WebEx:

• WebEx room for all lectures: 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

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: Action Research
       • Video: Action research in development, an action research example
     • Slides: Case Study
       • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications - Design and Methods, 6th Edition. SAGE Publications.
     • Slides: Systematic Literature Review
       • Video: Conducting a Systematic Literature Review
     • Homework: Your Thesis Statement and Research Questions
  7. Data Collection and Analysis
     • Slides: Evidence: Data Collection and Analysis
  8. Writing the Thesis
     • Slides: 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

Recordings of Lectures (password protected - password on request from lecturer

• Recording from Tuesday, 20th of April
• Recording from Tuesday, 27th of April
• Recording from Tuesday, 4th of May
• No recording from Tuesday, 11th of May
• Recording from Tuesday, 25th of May
• Recording from Tuesday, 1st of June

Exam Dates A.Y. 2020/2021

• Tuesday, 8th of June, 2pm - 6pm - Oral interviews
• Tuesday, 29th of June, 2pm - 6pm - Oral interviews
• or on appointment