Research Methods in

Computer Science
 Learning Outcomes
Describe computing research methods
Develop effective research proposal
 Outline

• Chapter one: Introduction and Overview of Research

• Chapter 2: Processes in Conducting Research
• Chapter 3: Resources to Conduct Research
• Chapter 4: Writing Research Papers and Making
Presentations
• Chapter 5: Research Ethics
• Chapter 6: Data Collection and Analysis
 Evaluation
• Mid:30%
• Quiz:10%
• Assignment:20%
• Final exam:40%
 Chapter One

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF

RESEARCH

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 What is research?
•The systematic investigation and study of
materials and resources in order to establish and
reach at new conclusions. (Oxford dictionary )
•A scientific and systematic search for relevant
information on a specific topic.( a systematic
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effort to gain new knowledge.)

• A research is an organized and systematic way
of finding answers to questions.
– Systematic- Because there is a definite set of
procedures and steps which you will follow.
– Organized: it is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous
one.
• It is focused and limited to a specific scope.
– Finding answers :-
• It is the end of all questions.
• Whether it is the answer to the hypothesis or even a
simple question, research is successful when we find
answers.
• Some times the answer may be no, but Still this is
the answer 7
Questions: Are central to a research.
If there is no question, then the
answer is of no use.
Research is focused on relevant,
useful and important questions.
Without a question, research has no
focus, drive or purpose.

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• Research is an academic activity
– Search for knowledge

– An art of scientific investigation

• Research comprises
– Defining and redefining problems

– Formulating hypothesis

– Collecting, organizing and evaluating data

– Making deductions and reaching conclusions

– Carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit

the formulated hypothesis or not. 9
 Objectives of Research
• To discover answers to questions through the
application of scientific procedures.
• To find out the truth which is hidden/has not been
discovered as yet.
• To test the hypothesis of casual relationships
between variables.

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 Significance of Research
• There is more information and knowledge to
understand the world than before.
• Necessary in allocation of resources or for
optimum resource allocation.
• Promote scientific thinking & development of
logical habits of thinking & organization.

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 Significance of Research …
• A means of livelihood

• An outlet for new ideas & insights

• The development of new styles & creative work

• The generalizations of new theories

• Fountain of knowledge

• Important source of providing guidelines for solving

different problems.
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 Motivations in Research
• What makes people undertake research
– Desire to get research degree along with its
consequential benefits.
– Desire to solve a challenge in solving the unsolved
problems.
– Desire to design appropriate policies.
– Desire to contribute to the existing stock of knowledge
– Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative
work
– Desire to be of service to the society
– Directives of government 13
– Curiosity about new things … etc
 Types of Research

• Can be grouped in to:

– Exploratory Research

– Descriptive Research

– Explanatory/Causal Research
• Can also be categorized as:
– Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research

– Conceptual Vs Empirical Research

– Cross-Sectional Vs Longitudinal Research

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1. Exploratory Research: Explore (What)
 undertaken with the aim of clarifying ambiguous problems.

 To explore a topic or problem that is not well defined.

 Example:Tech company wants to understand users attitudes

toward a new launched application or product.
 They might conduct interviews or focus groups to explore
users feeling and behaviors.

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2. Descriptive Research:Describe (How)
– Include surveys & fact finding enquiries of different kinds

– To describe characteristics of a population or

phenomenon.
– Example:a study detailing the demographic
characteristics(age,gender,income) of people who use a
specific social media platform.

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3. Casual/Explanatory Research: Explain (Why)
– undertaken with the aim of identifying cause and
effect relationships amongst variables.
– to determine cause-and-effect relationships. This type
of research aims to explain why things happen.
– Design of research in such kind of studies means
Design of Experments
– Example: A research team at a university tests the impact of a
new AI-based tutoring system on students' grades. They divide
students into two groups: one uses the AI tutor and the other
uses traditional study methods. They then compare the
performance to determine if the AI tutor is more effective.
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Quantitative Research: Focuses on numerical data
and statistical analysis to understand patterns and
phenomena.
Example: A study measuring the average time
people spend on social media per day using
surveys and statistical analysis.
Qualitative Research: Focuses on understanding
the meaning, characteristics, and context of
phenomena through non-numerical data.
Example: Conducting in-depth interviews to explore
users' experiences and attitudes toward a new
social media app.

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Conceptual vs. Empirical Research
Conceptual Research: Involves developing theories or
models based on existing knowledge, without new data
collection.
Example: A paper proposing a new theoretical framework
for understanding user engagement on social media.
Empirical Research: Involves collecting and analyzing
new data to test hypotheses or answer research
questions.
Example: Conducting an experiment to test whether a
new feature in a social media app increases user
engagement.
• Conceptual Research
– Related to some abstract idea/theory
– Generally used by philosophers & thinker to
develop new concepts or to re-interpret existing
once.
• Empirical Research:-
– Relies on experience or observation
– It is data based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified.
– Tried to prove a given hypothesis with new data

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• Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal Research(Time)
• Cross-Sectional Research: Involves collecting data at a
single point in time to understand the current state or
snapshot of a phenomenon.
• Example: A survey conducted in January 2024 to
understand users' satisfaction with a particular technology
product.

• Longitudinal Research: Involves collecting data over an

extended period to track changes and developments in a
phenomenon.
• Example: A study tracking changes in social media usage
and its impact on mental health over five years.

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The Scientific Approach
• The Scientific
Method involves a
series of steps that
are used to
investigate a
natural occurrence.
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Steps of a Scientific method

1. Problem description /Question

2. Observation/Research

3. Formulate a Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect and Analyze Results

6. Conclusion

7. Communicate the Results 23

1. Problem/Question:
Problem/Question Develop a
question or problem that can be
solved through experimentation
2. Observation/Research:
Observation/Research Make
observations and research your
topic of interest.

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3. Formulate a Hypothesis:
Hypothesis Predict a
possible answer to the problem or
question.
• Example: If soil temperatures rise, then
plant growth will increase
4. Experiment:
Experiment Develop and follow a
procedure.
• Include a detailed materials list.
The outcome must be measurable
(quantifiable).
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 5. Collect and Analyze Results:
Results
• Modify the procedure if needed.

• Confirm the results by retesting.

• Include tables, graphs, and

photographs.

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6. Conclusion:
Conclusion Include a statement that accepts
or rejects the hypothesis.
– Make recommendations for further study and
possible improvements to the procedure.

7. Communicate the Results:

Results Be prepared to
present the research findings to an audience.
– Expect questions from the audience. 27
 Stages in the Research
Process
Define
Problem

Conclusions
and Report
Planning a
Research Design

Planning Processing and

a Sample Analysing the Data

Gathering
the Data
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