CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Literature Review Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 So far … #1 Introduction (Lecture #1) Nature of research Definitions, Research as a process Classifying Research The field of research, The purpose of research The approach to research, The nature of research Types of research methods (Lecture #2) Qualitative research Quantitative Research Types of experimental design (Lecture #3): Pre-Experimental Design True Experimental Design Quasi-Experimental Design Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 So far … #2 Survey Research (Lecture #4) Definition Planning and undertaking survey Information sources, search method Guidelines, Documentation and presentation Student Project Planning (Lecture #5) An overview of project development process Selecting a suitable topic, Selecting an appropriate analytical framework, Time management Activity Network Diagram Introduction Example Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6 2

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 In This Session … literature search and indexing recording references literature review How to “do” a literature review Finding relevant publications Structuring the literature review Writing the literature review Reminder: Setting the Scene Refer to lecture notes: Supplecture5.ppt Discussing Student Project Design and Idea Generation Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Overview of Project Work Structure CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Overview of Project Work Structure Do MSc Project Select a topic Make a plan Gather & analyse data Perform literature search Write up Decide objectives Develop Work Struct. Produce estimates Plan resources Create Gantt chart Source Ref: to be added Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Research Design General sequence of steps in research design Identify the research problem Determine the purpose of research Develop the theoretical framework Define the research questions and/or hypotheses Define the scope of the study Decide on methodology Define expected outcomes Writing up J Hussey & R Hussey, Business Research (Palgrave, 1997), Ch. 5. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Identifying the topic Why this topic? is it topical, timely? is there a clear need for work in this area? if so, who needs it, who will use it? how will the world be a better place? Where does expertise lie? who can you talk to? what can you read to find out more? does this confirm the need for the research? Is the proposed research novel? How does the project relate to other work? does it follow on sequentially from something? (eg extension of previous project) does it apply similar approach to another project? does it fill a gap in knowledge? draw a “mind map” of the subject Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Generating a Research Idea #1 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Generating a Research Idea #1 Following questions can help to define a research focus including; What does the research seek to find out? What questions does it aim to answer, or what hypothesis does it seek to test? What areas of knowledge, subjects and disciplines will the research need to draw on? What do we know already that is relevant? Where shall we need to add new knowledge or know how? What are the likely sources for the required information? What are the potentially useful ways of doing the research - the methodological options? What limits must we set to the breadth and depth of the inquiry? What obligations do we have to fulfil to the institution in which we are doing the research? E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 2. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Generating a Research Idea #2 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Generating a Research Idea #2 finding your research subject brainstorming ways of refining the topic analogy - import ideas and procedures from a similar area morphological analysis - methodical breakdown of key dimensions of general area of interest mind maps - use network diagram to extend out from central concept relevance trees - use hierarchical diagram to develop fine categories within research area importance of literature review to increase your knowledge of research area and methodologies to scope, justify and decide feasibility of your proposed work to develop critical appraisal and ability to synthesize consider purpose, conduct, findings, strengths and weaknesses of the studies you read Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Defining Research: problems/questions CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Defining Research: problems/questions identifying a research problem developing research questions 1. read literature, identify gaps 1. state purpose of research 2. formulate specific questions or hypotheses 2. generate list of interesting questions N 6. does suitable problem exist? Y N 3. are they interesting or important? 3. questions already answered in literature? Y Y 5. have questions been answered already? Y N 5. eliminate impractical questions N 4. test feasibility 4. survey relevant literature to next stage in research design to next stage in research design J Hussey & R Hussey, Business Research (Palgrave, 1997), Ch. 5. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 An Example -- Mind Map E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 2. organizational policy - strategic objectives - corporate planning how organizations make decisions on information products information resource management technology for information products - DTP - databases - electronic publishing - document management monitoring and evaluation of information products training management of information products - writing - design - editing - typesetting - production - budget organizational - how they are used - medium of production people involved in - decision makers - professional specialists ‘the role of information products and information presentation in organizations’ Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Literature Survey Literature search a methodical search of published sources of information to identify items relevant to a particular need, for instance; Topic selection, Find specific project information Discover structure of information in a particular subject, etc. But remember to Define your initial topic, scope, content and parameters for your own work first Decide on what sort of relevant information to your project range of sources - eg, reference works, books and articles, government publications, theses, conference proceedings, standards and statistics, directories, company and market reports… Structure how you get it decide on a search order, allow enough time, keep detailed records identify keywords for searching, use computerized databases and Internet, but narrow your search first Keep notes of references on index cards or computer Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Searching Cycle Document/Start Search statement Information Sources Search Strategy SEARCH Evaluate Modify Read/Store Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Information sources #1 Some useful links including; http://nulis.napier.ac.uk Information Skills Tutorial http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/lea/ http://www.eevl.ac.uk http://edina.ed.ac.uk/salser Some useful sources Ei Compendex & Ei Engineering Village 2 All aspects of engineering and computing http://edina.ed.ac.uk/compendex Inspec Physics, engineering, communications, control engineering, and computing http://edina.ed.ac.uk/inspec Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Information sources #2 Cambridge Scientific Abstracts Umbrella service for 30+ databases Subject coverage includes computing, engineering and science http://www.csa1.co.uk ANTE - Abstracts in New Technologies and Engineering Computing, electronics, engineering including; biotechnology and medical technology. Emerald Abstracts - Computer Abstracts International Database All aspects of computing http://www.emerald-library.com Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Information Sources #3 IngentaJournals Incorporates full-text links to a number of engineering and computing journals http://www.ingenta.com Conference papers Index of Conference Proceedings (via Web of Science) ACM Digital Library Finding theses and research in progress (GB and Ireland) http://www.theses.com/ COS Expertise http://expertise.cos.com/ COS Expertise, our knowledge management service for individuals and institutions, contains more than 460,000 first-person profiles of researchers from over 1300 institutions worldwide. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Information Sources #4 Full-text Access to Electronic Journals see Ingenta Journals (http://www.bids.ac.uk), ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com) Emerald, Catchword IDEAL Expanded Academic ASAP International etc, Finding standards and patents Technical Indexes: British Standards (http://bsonline.techindex.co.uk) EEVL (http://www.eevl.ac.uk) Select EEVL catalogue, tick resource(s) required, select resource operator (or/and) Ei Engineering Village 2 http://edina.ed.ac.uk/compendex) US patents full-text Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Information Sources #5 Finding company and industry information Company/Professional association websites Mintel Marketing Intelligence (Web) consumer market research reports Newspapers (Learning Centres, Web) Findex see Cambridge Scientific Abstracts Finding Internet resources Search Engines such as; AltaVista, Yahoo, Google For CS and IT only www.researchindex.com Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Other Catalogues #1 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Other Catalogues #2 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Other Catalogues #3 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Other Catalogues #4 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Storing information extracting information from sources - an exhaustive process use key topics as ‘hooks’ for searching and storing making notes make accurate note of bibliographic details of item at top of notes about any item, put key topic(s) prominently don’t copy large chunks of text, but do note page no. of any quotations you might use which vehicles to use for notes? Cards, loose leaf, notebooks? If notebooks, number them and number pages. storing information - key decisions what containers to use how to arrange items in containers like with like (need to label the containers by key topic) in sequence (need to number items as they come in) whether to create records of the items you store probably yes if no, items must be clearly labelled, and you will need an index into them by topic (etc) E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 3. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods Software: Endnote CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Evaluating your Search Results CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Evaluating your Search Results Ask yourself a number of questions; relevant to your needs? useful for the problem in hand? date of publication appropriate? obtainable? level of information correct? Too simple/advanced? Is this a new information or do you know this already? Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Searching your information CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Searching your information Key considerations for indexing decide what are the key topics put them on index cards or use reference database software (Endnote) use them as hooks to fish for information put main topics on notes you make and on items you photocopy. decide how to store your information - in number sequence or by main topic set up an index - use cards from 2 or make back-of-book index to notebooks. Searching your information look up the cards for topics you want. go from there to information store, and take out relevant items E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 3. Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Literature Review Definition A story or narrative, which documents the previous research that is relevant to your own research area The literature review essentially “sets the scene” and prepares the reader for your own contribution The literature review usually occurs as chapter 2 in your thesis But other sections of your thesis are likely to contain references to material considered in the literature review Also the literature review is also an opportunity to learn more about the subject area you are researching Purpose knowledge of current literature and your own reading present it thematically or in an order that relates to the rest of the project structure identify trends, gaps etc in the literature analyse, evaluate and otherwise demonstrate that you have understood what you have read ALWAYS check your project guidelines Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Planning the Literature Review #1 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Planning the Literature Review #1 Planning the literature review Set aside enough time to find, read and review a given publication. 75% of the literature review can be done in one session The other 25% may be ongoing as your understanding, knowledge and research skills develop Identify the main areas of the literature to be covered Make up a “shopping-list” of these areas so you know what you are looking for Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Planning the Literature Review #2 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Planning the Literature Review #2 Find relevant publications Always follow the literature search cycle Remember to find 10 relevant publications you may have to read over 30  Thus you need to adhere to Find, read and record relevant literature Record the title of each publication Record the source (e.g. reference or a web-page) Make a brief note about the relevance of the publication TURNING TO Software Instrumentation A SIMPLE But SUFFICIENT DESCRIPTION of software instrumentation according to David Wells Is “Software Developed SPECIFICALLY To Measure Performance AND/OR Monitor the Behaviour Of An Application” Software Instrumentation LIKE INSTRUMENTATION IN ENGINEERING DISCPLINES can make use of PRIMITIVE instruments, such as Gauges, Sensors Probes and Loggers AND COMPOUND Instruments, such as Monitors and Analyzers, which are constructed from PRIMITIVES FINALLY, The MAIN REASONS For Using Instrumentation With Distributed Applications Is That Distributed Applications Are Notoriously Difficult to Develop and Manage For A NUMBER OF REASONS And Probably the MOST IMPORTANT REASON Is The DYNAMICS INHERENT In Distributed Applications Such That the Collection of Clients and Services Can CHANGE ON THE FLY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND The BEHAVIOUR Of A Distributed Application Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Structuring your Review #1 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Structuring your Review #1 Structure the literature that you have reviewed You could even use a table with appropriate categories Start by drawing a “concept map” or an overall plan of the literature review chapter Identify the main areas of the literature This will include the “parent” or main discipline and the context of your research The main areas will be the main sections in the literature chapter Identify relevant sub-areas to be highlighted Sub-divide the main literature areas into smaller sections These sections will be the sub-sections within the main sections of the literature chapter Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Structuring your Review #2 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Structuring the literature review Structuring your Review #2 Section 2.1 (introduction) Introduce your own research topic and explain what literature areas need to be reviewed Briefly present your concept map or plan to show the reader how the literature review is logically structured Section 2.2 to 2.x Address each of the main areas of the concept map or plan Try to move towards specific discussion of each area and identify what is already known and what is not known Section 2.x (final section) End by stating your own research challenge/question or any hypothesis Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Structuring your Review #3 CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Writing the literature review Structuring your Review #3 Different literature review structures can be used including; The ‘funnel’ approach: from broad to narrow focus, from main areas/issues to detail from periphery to centre of research issue The ‘family tree’ approach: different levels of knowledge at each level: various options/theories/issues Time line Concept map 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Guidelines #1 The literature review chapter should not be standalone but relates to other chapters Ensure that the literature review chapter is closely linked to your study Mention your research topic up-front Then proceed to identify the main areas that will drive the literature review Show how your study is related to previous work (e.g. extends, fills gap, applies in different contexts, etc.) Use the literature review chapter to develop your own research framework or research model Use the literature review chapter to help shape subsequent chapters in your thesis Often to highlight the gap including research problem that your project is to focus on Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Guidelines #2 Try to review topics rather than articles GOOD: reviewing topics “Absenteeism has been defined in three ways: genuine absences through illness [1] voluntary non-attendance e.g. skiving [2] frequent absences due to mental or physical health problems [3]” NOT AS GOOD: reviewing articles “[1] says voluntary absences are due to illness. [2] suggests some absences are simply due to non-attendance e.g. skiving. [3] did a study and found that frequent absences are caused by mental or physical health problems ” Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

Additional Lecture Notes CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Additional Lecture Notes Lecture notes: literature survey Literature_Survey.pdf See guidance re: how to avoid plagiarism, etc. Examples An example literature survey (Also) An example review paper Oral Presentation SuppLecture1.ppt Technical Report Writing SuppLecture6.ppt Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Tutorial Tutorial No tutorial, just study the handout, which considers a good literature review and a not so good literature review. You can find this article and other useful material on technical writing at the following URL http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21LIT.HTM Also visit the online: Information skills tutorial at http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/lea/info/list/menu1.htm Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6

CMSSEM003 -- Research Methods 20/04/2017 Next Sessions … Roles of Supervisor and Project Student Writing your MSc project proposal Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Lecture notes: Lecture 6