Designing your Project

Introduction Most projects have ONE major (primary) goal Example - proving that new language is ‘better’ arguing prototyping plus experimenting One or more methods can be used Sometimes only a literature survey is used During literature study, look at methods used Selection of research methods depends on problem to be solved

Introduction: continued … Approaches used in IT research literature surveys surveys case studies models prototypes experiments mathematical proofs algorithms simulations languages arguments

Project Design Research project normally has: a primary goal and secondary goals (use building example) Secondary goals help to reach primary A different method may be used to reach each goal Research goals can be classified as: technical (implementation of systems) social (people) philosophical (responsibility, accountability, legal aspects)

Research Objective EXAMPLE 1 The objective of this research is to propose guidelines to support the information needs of a district in order to improve the delivery of Primary Health Care (PHC) in South Africa.   In order to reach this objective, the following sub-objective must be addressed: Investigate the role of the public health sector within the South African health system; Determine the information needs in primary healthcare; Analyse data flow in District Health Information System (DHIS); Compare the approach to implementing DHIS at district and facility levels within various provinces; Understand the barriers to the effective use of DHIS; Investigate the improvement of data flow in a DHIS as a means of improving the effectiveness of Primary Health Care; Examine data flow policies in the South African Health sector;

Research Objective EXAMPLE 2 To develop an IT governance related model which will provide a structured means of achieving improved compliance to King III chapter 5.   In order to reach this objective, the following sub-objectives must be addressed: To gauge the value King III provides to South African organizations. To identify the standards and guidelines used in South Africa for the governance of IT. To determine factors that may affect compliance to IT governance standards. To propose an approach, in the form of a model, that will provide improved compliance to King III chapter 5.

Research Questions EXAMPLE 3 What should be considered in the user interface design of an E-learning website for Deaf learners?   The main research question is supported by the following sub-research questions: What are the components of an E-learning website for Deaf learners? What are the unique characteristics of Deaf learners? What are the typical guidelines to design E-learning websites? What are the typical tools used to design such websites?

Research Objectives for EXAMPLE 3 What should be considered in the user interface design of an E-learning website for Deaf learners?   Research objectives that supports the main Research Question: To define the components of an E-learning website for Deaf learners. To identify the unique characteristics of Deaf learners and to determine how these contribute to their use of E-learning websites. To determine the requirements of presenting an accessible E-learning website. To determine which tools are most suited to design E-learning websites for Deaf learners.

Research Questions EXAMPLE 4 Primary: How can mobile parental control be enabled in the South African context? Secondary: Which factors contribute to the lack of mobile parental control in South Africa? Which parental control interventions are possible at various “points” in the mobile data exchange process? Which of the identified interventions are appropriate in the South African context?

Research Objectives for EXAMPLE 4 Primary: To provide a framework for mobile parental control in the South African context Secondary: To investigate factors contributing to the enabling of parental control in South Africa. To identify the areas in the mobile data exchange process where interventions can be made. To demonstrate the applicability of specific mobile parental control interventions to the South African context.

Research Objectives EXAMPLE 5 The primary objective of this research is to compile Socio-technical Guidelines to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of Electronic Medical Records in General Practices in South Africa. The sub-objectives of the project are to: Investigate the impact of the current patient record keeping in general practices on quality of care Explore the role that can be played by EMRs in improving quality of care Investigate the social factors that should be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of EMRs Investigate the environmental factors that should be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of EMRs? Investigate the technical factors that should be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of EMRs? Formulate socio-technical guidelines to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of EMRs in general practices

To: Demonstrate Enumerate Develop Evaluate Establish Argue Determine Identify Formulate Describe Design Propose Explore Investigate

Project Design See Table 2.1 Methods are either; empirical, creative or tautological Empirical depend on observation include surveys, case studies and experiments quality depends on accuracy of observations and degree to which observed results can be generalized

Project Design Creative new abstractions or mechanisms models, prototypes, algorithms, languages quality determined by utility and simplicity Tautological (manipulation) transform inputs to reveal something mathematical proofs and arguments quality determined by correctness and ‘value’ of revealed truth

Project Design Empirical methods are used to do exploratory research or to extend theory Exploratory research observe to formulate a theory normally secondary method should not form thrust of project Extension of theory use research to confirm a theory Examples N.B.: In methodology of project, clearly spell out what primary and secondary methods will be used