Research Methodology for Computer Science

Course Title: Research Methodology for Computer Science

Course No: CSIT.323

Nature of the Course: THEORY

Semester: 6

Full Marks: 60 + 20 + 20

Pass Marks: 24 + 10 + 10

Credit Hours: 3

Course Description

This course deals with the knowledge of research methods/techniques/project works in computer science. It covers the details of scientific approach of research, research design and types of research, measurements and scales, and data, sample designs, data analysis and research report presentation. This course also includes for preparing research reports and dissertations/thesis, writing academic paper for publication in the journal, and presentation of the research documents.

Course Objectives

Introduce scientific approach of research. Familiar research design and different types of research. Introduce measurements and scales including measures of reliability, validity and generalizability. Collect the data, prepare appropriate sample designs and sample plans and sample size for research. Make able to write research documents (writing research proposal, grant proposal, thesis/dissertation, report writing and academic paper writing for publication in the journal).

Course Contents

1. Scientific Approach of Research

5 hrs

1.1. Basic Concept of Research

Concept and nature of research activities

Process of scientific investigation

Objective of research

Planning and formulation of hypotheses

Statement of research problems and its significance

Applications and characteristics of research problems

Generality and specificity of research problems

Multivariate nature of research problems focused on computer science and information technology

1.2. Literature Review

Purposes of literature review

Function and types of literature reviews

Format of presenting the literature review

Guidelines for conducting literature reviews

References/bibliographies in computer science

2. Research Design

8 hrs

2.1. Concept of Research Design

Concept and meaning of research design

Types and dimension of research design

Purposes and needs and principles of research design

Function of research design and its process

2.2. Developing a Research Plan

Developing a research plan

Selecting a study design

Criteria of good research design

Adequate and inadequate research design

Scientific research design

2.3. Experimental Research Designs

Experimental research design for empirical research

Quasi-experimental research design for empirical research

Factorial research design for empirical research

2.4. Logic of Experimental Design

Elements of experimental design

Goals of experimental design

Logic of experimental design

3. Research Types

6 hrs

3.1. Types of Research

Basic concept of different types of research

Scientific research

Ex-post-facto research

Historical research

Experimental and laboratory research

Field experimental research

Action and participatory action research

Evaluation, project and monitoring research

Qualitative and quantitative research

4. Measurements and Scales

8 hrs

4.1. Measurement Scales and Scoring

Variables and attributes

Concept of measurement scales

Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scales

Classification of scaling

Scaling techniques

Standard score

T and Percentile scores

Sources of error in measurement

4.2. Reliability, Validity, and Generalizability

Concept of reliability and its measures and tests

Concept of validity and its measures and tests

Concept of generalizability and its measures and tests

Estimation of true score of the test

Relationship between reliability and validity

5. Sample Designs and Data Analysis

6 hrs

5.1. Data Sources and Collection

Data sources

Data collection methods

5.2. Sample Design and Validation

Sample designs

Sample plans

Selection of sample

Validation of the data

5.3. Data Organization and Analysis

Organization and management of data

Coding and decoding of data

Data analysis techniques

Tabulation and presentation of data

6. Research Writing & Presentation

12 hrs

6.1. Research Document Basics

Basic concept of writing research paper

Thesis/dissertation formats

Report formats

Typing of research documents

Presentations of research findings

6.2. Proposal Writing

Writing research proposal

Writing grant research proposal

6.3. Report Writing

Writing research report

Writing project report

Writing monitoring/evaluation report

6.4. Thesis and Academic Paper Writing

Writing thesis/dissertation

Preparing academic research paper for publication in the journal

6.5. Case Studies and Sample Formats

Sample formats and examples of thesis/dissertation writing

Sample formats and examples of report writing

Sample formats and examples of proposal writing

Sample formats and examples of research paper writing focused on computer science

Laboratory Works

Student needs to choose topic of their interest related to computer science and information technology and needs to prepare sample reports that include all concepts discussed in theory class. Finally presentation should be done in the presence of external examiner. This corresponds to the 'Report and Presentation' component of the internal evaluation.

1.Research Report Preparation

Reference Books

1.Abbas, T. and Charles, T. (2002): Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research, Sage Publications .
2.Aryal, T.R. (2008): Research Methodology, Paluwa Prakashan Ltd., Kathmandu
3.Best J.W and Kahn J. V. (2010). Research in Education, PHI Learning, Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
4.Cohen L., Manion L and Morrison K. (2010). Research Methods in Education. Routledge, London and New York.
5.Cramer, Duncan (2003). Advanced Quantitative Data Anlysis. Open University Press.
6.Creswell, J.W. (2002). Research Designs: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approach.
7.Donna, M. and Pauline, E.G. (2008): The Handbook of Social Research Ethics, Sage Publications
8.Dowdy Shirley and Wearden Stanley, Chilko Daniel. (2004).Statistics for Research.New Jersy: John Willey& Sons Publication.
9.Drapper, N. and Smith, H. (1968): Applied Regression Analysis, John Wiley and Sons
10.John, F. (2008): Applied Regression Analysis and Generalized Linear Models, Sage Publication Inc.
11.Kerlinger, F.N. (1983): Foundations of Behavioural Research, Surjeet Publication, India
12.Kish, L. (1965): Survey Sampling, John Wiley and Sons
13.Kothari C. R. (2011): Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publication, New Delhi.
14.Moser, C and Kaltan, G. (1979): Survey Methods in Social Investigations, Heinman Education Books, UK
15.Mujis, Daniel. (2004). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS.London.Thousand Oaks.New Delhi: Sage Publications.
16.Pranee, L.R. and Douglas, E. (1999): Qualitative Research Methods: A Health Focus, Oxford University Press
17.Richardson, J. (2002): Handbook of Qualitative Research Methods for Psychology and the Social Sciences, Blackwell Publishing Co.
18.Scot, Davi, and Usher, Robin (2011). Researching Education: Data Methods and Theory in Educational Enquiry.London:New Work: Continnum International Publishing Group
19.Singh, Kultar. (2007). Quantitative Social Research Methods. Los Angelos, London.New Delhi. Singapore. Sage Publications
20.Strauss, A. and Corbin, C. (1998): Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques

Notes:

This syllabus follows the official CSIT curriculum of Far Western University. In case of any doubt or revision, the university's published syllabus shall be considered authoritative. https://cdc.fwu.edu.np/faculties.html

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