1. Research Methods in Computer ScienceBy
Dr. Temtim Assefa
January, 2015

2. Learning Objectives Explain the purpose of research
Understand basic concepts in research (constructs, relationship, indicators, research model, theory, etc)
Understand research as a scientific method to acquire knowledge
Acquire skill to formulate researchable research problems
Identify major research problems in computer science
Explain the different research approaches and methods (Quantitative, qualitative and design science)

3. Contribute new knowledge to your discipline
Objective …
Demonstrate skill to design data collection instruments
Able to collect data relevant to the research problem
Able to interpret data into meaningful information
Prepare research proposal
Contribute new knowledge to your discipline

4. Concepts, objectives and Overview of research

5. Nature of Research
Gathering information from resources such as books or magazines isn’t a research.
Research isn’t just transporting facts:
Merely transporting facts from one resource to another doesn’t constitute research.
It only makes existing knowledge more accessible.
No contribution to new knowledge

6. Research: A Definition
Is an activity that contributes to the understanding of a phenomenon [Kuhn, 1962; Lakatos, 1978]
phenomenon: a set of behaviors of some entity(ies) that is found interesting by a research community
understanding: knowledge that allows prediction of the behavior of some aspect of the phenomenon
activities considered appropriate to the production of understanding (knowledge) are the research methods and techniques of a research community

7. Research …
“Research is often described as an active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising facts. This intellectual investigation produces a greater knowledge of events, behaviors, theories, and laws and makes practical applications possible. The term research is also used to describe a entire collection of information about a particular subject, and is usually associated with the output of science and the scientific method.”

8. Types of Research Basic Research
its main purpose is the disclosure of fundamental truths or principles
Focuses the testing and development of theory
To extend existing human understanding
Has no immediate application to real world problems
Example -
Physics is interested to understanding basic elements that make up matter
Systems theory

9. To solve existing societal problems Example - software automation like
Cont’d
Applied research
To solve existing societal problems
Example - software automation like
Developing a SW that convert word files into database format
doing payroll processing by a computer
developing e-learning package to enhance student learning

10. Theory
An abstraction about the behavior of the phenomena that serve as a guide for future practice
E.g. communication theory, need hierarchy theory, learning theory, etc
It is an association of two or more constructs
Theories are developed based on what is observed or experienced, often times in the real world. 
You may think theory as an absolute truth, such as the theory of gravity or the theory of relativity
Actually a changing phenomenon, especially in the soft or social sciences with acquisition of new facts and observe new relationship

11. Theory – Example Learning theory has different theories
Behavioral theory based on stimulus –response association
It states that a behavior that is reward will have high probability to be repeated while a behavior that is punished will be diminished
Its application for practice is that
When students rewarded in the class for doing good, they will retain and reapply that behaviour
Punishment for late comer students will not repeat that behaviour

12. Constructs –vis- indicators
Constructs are abstract concepts which is not measurable
For example religion, vehicle, etc
Indicators are variables that can be measurable. They are used to measure constructs
For example vehicle can be represented by model, manufacturing date, price, etc

13. Technology Acceptance Model
Perceived usefulness
Technology acceptance
Perceived ease of use

14. Conceptual Framework
It is the researchers understanding of the Research Problem
It contains variables and their relationship to be investigated in the research
It serve as a guide for the research process
It is build from existing theory or prior experience of the researcher
It is accepted or modified after the collected empirical data is analyzed and interpreted

15. Technology Acceptance Model
Error reduction
Software acceptance
Graphical interface

16. Hypothesis
It is the researchers guess or tentative solution about the research problem which will be later proved through the empirical data
It is the relationship between two variables in your conceptual framework
For example:
The database system will improve information access in the organization
Graphical user interface will increase software learnability
etc

17. Definitions of Terms
Define each technical term as it is used in relation to your research project.
Resource – how is defined in the context of library and computer system
This helps remove significant ambiguity from the research itself by ensuring that reviewers, while they may not agree with your definitions, at least know what you’re talking about. .

18. Metrics in Research
Metrics are measures used to represent the variable
For example:
a sex variable is measured by Male or Female
Attitude is measured by likearte scale (Very strongly disagree <->Strongly Agree)
How do you measure CPU performance?
Clearly state how you measure your research variable

19. Scales of variable measurement
There are four measurement scales
Nominal – which does not show magnitude like male or famale
Ordinal – which measure magnitude but cannot quantify difference e.g poor and rich
Interval - measures magnitude and the difference between the two values
e.g age years and 20 years
Scale – measures which has vales below zero e.g temperature

20. Research as Scientific Method
The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments.

21. Scientific Process Ask a Question or Define your Research Problem
Undertake a literature review
Construct a Hypothesis
Collect empirical data
Test Your Hypothesis based on your empirical data
Analyze Your Data
Draw a Conclusion and
Communicate Your Results

22. Know your Research Contributions
In what way(s) does your study add significant contribution(s) to:
Extant Theory?
Relevant Practice?