Introduction to Research Methods in CS

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 're' in the word 'research'?

again, anew or over again

Which of the following categories does research fall under?

Basic research

Applied research

Empirical research

All of the above (correct)

What is one goal of research?

to discover and disseminate new knowledge

Basic research aims to solve problems.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of research structure identifies new problems?

Exploratory research Signup and view all the answers

What does empirical research rely on?

direct and indirect observation or experience Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of A.D.de Groot's empirical cycle?

Induction Signup and view all the answers

Which research method involves active participation by the researcher?

Action research Signup and view all the answers

What type of research technique is primarily concerned with understanding decision-making?

Qualitative techniques Signup and view all the answers

Match the following definitions with their corresponding research types:

Basic research = Inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge Applied research = Effort aimed at solving problems or developing new techniques Exploratory research = Research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined Constructive research = Development of solutions to a specific persisting problem Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered top-level categories in the ACM Computing Classification System?

Social and professional topics Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of changes in computer science that come from advances in technology?

Ubiquitous computing Signup and view all the answers

Computer science is primarily concerned with empirical studies.

False Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the study of algorithms and properties of information structures in computer science?

Mathematical Signup and view all the answers

The main motivation of basic research is to expand _____ knowledge.

human Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an impact criterion for academic achievement?

Who is affected by a result Signup and view all the answers

Match the following research types with their definitions:

Basic Research = Driven by curiosity, expands knowledge Applied Research = Designed to solve practical problems Experimental Research = Involves building or testing systems Theoretical Research = Focused on proving theorems Signup and view all the answers

What does ECS stand for in the context of computer science?

Experimental Computer Science Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of problem-driven research?

To achieve a specific goal using appropriate methods Signup and view all the answers

The complexity of systems built in ECS necessitates _____ implementation.

experimental Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research and Its Definition

"Research" combines a prefix meaning "again" with a verb meaning "to examine closely."
Encompasses a systematic study to establish facts or principles and increase understanding of topics or issues.
Two main categories of research:
- Basic research aims to increase scientific knowledge.
- Applied research focuses on solving problems using knowledge from basic research.

Research Methods and Methodology

Research Method: The overall approach to a specific research project.
Research Technique: Specific means or tools used for data gathering and analysis.
Research Methodology: The study of research methods.

Types of Research

Exploratory Research: Identifies and structures new problems; conclusions are drawn cautiously.
Constructive Research: Develops solutions to persisting problems; often results in new theories or frameworks.
Empirical Research: Involves gaining knowledge through observation and experience, leading to quantitative or qualitative analyses.

Empirical Research Process

A.D. de Groot's empirical cycle includes:
- Observation, induction, deduction, testing, and evaluation.
Empirical research helps prove theories in real-life contexts through iterative processes between ideas and validation.

Qualitative and Quantitative Techniques

Qualitative Techniques: Focus on in-depth understanding and why/how of decisions; results may be subjective.
Quantitative Techniques: Systematic investigation of measurable phenomena; emphasizes repeatability and reliability of results.

Research Techniques

Scientific Research Techniques:
- Forecasting with regression and time-series analysis.
- Field experimentation to isolate confounding factors.
- Laboratory experimentation for controlled environments.
Interpretivist Techniques: Include focus groups, action research, and ethnographic studies to understand societal impacts.

Computer Science Overview

Computer science is interdisciplinary, combining empirical studies, algorithmic processes, and principles of complexity.
Definitions of computer science have evolved, emphasizing its mathematical, engineering, and technological aspects.

Shifting Definition of Computer Science

Throughout history, computer science has been viewed from multiple lenses: computation, complexity management, and algorithm analysis.
Influential definitions highlight its role in systematic algorithmic processes and abstraction.

Research Paradigms in Computer Science

Empirical Paradigm: Focuses on studying phenomena associated with computing.
Mathematical Paradigm: Involves the study of algorithms and information structure properties.
Engineering Paradigm: Concentrates on the cost-effective design and construction of software-hardware systems.

Technological Impact on Computer Science

Advances in technology, such as the World Wide Web, networking, and object-oriented programming, have continually influenced the field.

Historical Perspective on Programming Languages

Programming language development reflects technological eras:
- 1950-1960: Focus on empirical discovery and basic techniques.
- 1961-1969: Emphasis on elaboration and abstraction through formal language theories.
- 1970 onwards: Shift to technology with complex software projects emphasizing cost and reliability management.### Structure of the Web
The web consists of hundreds of billions of pages generated by billions of users.
There exists a strongly connected core, allowing every page to reach every other page.
The shortest connection path between two pages in the core is typically 16-20 links, indicative of a "small world" phenomenon.
Analysis of web structure has led to advancements in search engine technology, such as Google’s PageRank methodology.

Mathematical Concepts

Focus on designing and analyzing optimal algorithms for computational problems.
Addresses representation, transformation, and interpretation of information structures.
Development of models for general-purpose tools in computing.

Engineering Contributions

Engineering tasks include developing robots for Mars exploration and demonstrating their improved performance over previous models.

Improvement in Engineering

Any discovery in nature is worthwhile; however, engineering requires proof of superiority in new creations.
A superior solution can be defined as one that:
- Solves problems more efficiently or in less time.
- Addresses a broader range of issues.
- Utilizes resources more effectively.
- Offers enhanced expressiveness by specific criteria.

Empirical-Mathematical-Engineering Integration

Example application in resolving failing user queries involves:
- Analyzing failing queries and defining tractable problems.
- Designing linear time algorithms and middleware for query processing.
- Empirical testing on actual user queries to assess algorithm efficacy.

Basic vs. Applied Research

Basic Research:
- Driven by curiosity with no immediate practical application.
- Aims to expand knowledge (e.g., cosmology, particle composition).
Applied Research:
- Focused on solving practical, real-world problems aimed at enhancing human well-being (e.g., medical advancements, agricultural improvements).

Experimental vs. Theoretical Computer Science

Experimental Computer Science (ECS) involves building and experimenting with complex hardware and software systems without needing a solid theoretical foundation.
ECS constructs models to test hypotheses, while theoretical aspects closely align with formal mathematics and theorem proving.

Research Approaches

Technique-Driven Research:
- Focuses on applying specific techniques (e.g., neural networks), sometimes misapplied or overused.
Problem-Driven Research:
- Concentrates on solving specific problems employing the most suitable methods, often perceived as informal.

R. Clarke's Quality Characteristics

Research should reflect the current state of knowledge in the field and methodologies.
Combine various research techniques to enhance rigor and mitigate weaknesses.
Results must be practical, relevant, and impactful for potential publication.

The Three Golden Rules

Pursue high-quality standards and operate near the boundaries of capability.
Seek socially relevant and scientifically valid topics; prioritize scientific rigor if conflicts arise.
Avoid overly tackled problems by similarly equipped peers.

Impact as a Success Criterion

Academic success is measured by the impact of ideas and findings within a field.
The impact can be gauged on:
- Who is affected by the results.
- The nature and magnitude of the impact.

Parameters for Evaluation

Key metrics include runtime, preprocessing time, memory usage, result accuracy, and user satisfaction.
Detailed examinations of systems and algorithms can yield valuable insights.

Data Sets

Real-World Data: Essential for demonstrating practical applicability but often hard to acquire.
Synthetic Data: Useful for targeted testing but challenging to produce.
Using consistent data sets with competitors allows for fairer comparisons of efficacy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the foundational concepts of research methods pertinent to Computer Science. You'll explore different research paradigms, focusing on empirical and experimental techniques, as well as the distinction between basic and applied research. Test your knowledge on key terms and methodologies used in the field.