IT492-5-research.pdf

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University College of Computer and Information Sciences IT 492 – Graduation Project 1 Research and Search Methods 1 Definitions of Research...

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University College of Computer and Information Sciences IT 492 – Graduation Project 1 Research and Search Methods 1 Definitions of Research The main goal of research is the gathering and interpreting of information to answer questions (Hyllegard, Mood, and Morrow, 1996). Research is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions (Tuckman, 1999). 2 Development of Research Skills Learning how to conduct good research: New skills (that many people do not have) Better understanding and interpretation of the literature Recognize new questions that need investigation ‫التعرف على أسئلة جديدة تحتاج للتحقيق‬ 3 Good Academic Research What is truly good research is hard to say, but here are some ideas: On topic Accurate Generalizable Valid Testable Reliable Replicable 4 Good Academic Research (2) Avoids bias (personal interest) Avoids prejudice ‫تعصب‬ Avoids confusion 5 Stages of a Research Project Planning Library research Writing Literature review Analysis and Design Data-collection Data-analysis Working out findings and discussion 6 GP Projects All projects are required to have at least one academic objective, usually an investigation of literature relevant to some aspect of your project. ‫يجب أن يكون لجميع المشروعات هدف أكاديمي واحد على‬ ‫ وعادة ما يكون البحث في األدبيات ذات الصلة ببعض‬، ‫األقل‬ ‫جوانب مشروعك‬ 7 7 Project Skills… Time management Project management Project Selection Written and verbal communication Giving demonstrations Learning Strategies 8 8  DEFINITION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM 9 Problem Definition What is a research problem? The term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to be examined. Research Problem refers to some difficulty /need which a researcher experiences in the context of either theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same. 10 Problem Definition Identification / Selection of the Problem Formulation of the Problem 11 Problem Definition This step involves: identification of a few problems Selection of one out of them after evaluating the alternatives against certain selection criteria such as: Clear and Unambiguous Empirical Verifiable ‫يمكن لتحقق منها‬ Interesting Novel and Original Availability of Guidance 12 Formulation of the Research Problem Formulation the process of refining ‫ تنقية‬the research ideas into a problem statement. KT analysis for problem analysis is a helpful approach in this step. Problem Statement Specifies exactly what the research problem is. 13 Problem Statement Problem Statement: a statement of the specific problem or problems that the project addresses. What is the underlying issue that led to proposing this project? Is there a strong need for the application Is there a gap in the knowledge of how to apply a given algorithm or methodology? 14 Writing the Problem Statement Contains 3 elements the problem itself the proposed method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis the motivation ‫التحفيز‬behind the problem, its importance, any assumptions made and its scope. 15 Writing the Problem Statement: Using Research Questions and/or Hypotheses Contains 3 elements the problem itself the proposed method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis ‫غالبًا ما يتم اعتباره مطالبة أو أطروحة عمل‬ the motivation behind the problem, its importance, any assumptions made and its scope. 16 Writing the Problem Statement: Using a Mathematical Notation Contains 3 elements the problem itself the proposed method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis the motivation behind the problem, its importance, any assumptions made and its scope. 17 Problem Statement for your Graduation Projects In some cases, typically when your project is research- oriented, you will be able to write the problem statement using research questions, hypothesis, and or mathematical notations. However when your project is development-oriented, the above approaches may not be appropriate. You should write your problem statement in detail guided by the KT analysis and include the 3 problem statement elements. 18  REVIEW OF LITERATURE 19 Literature Review It is an extensive survey of all available past studies relevant to the field of investigation. It gives us knowledge about what others have found out in the related field of study and how they have done so. 20 Literature Review- Why? To gain a background knowledge of the research topic. To identify the concepts relating to it, potential relationships between them and to formulate researchable hypothesis. To identify appropriate methodology, research design, methods of measuring concepts and techniques of analysis. 21 Literature Review Conducted to ensure a researcher is familiar with ‘all’ of the what is known about a particular field Need to have the scope of the review carefully defined Not too big such that adequate coverage is infeasible, and there is too much literature to review and the review becomes unfocussed (and thereby not useful) Not too narrow such that there are too few papers to include 22 22 Form of a Literature Review… Requires reading literature from a variety of sources Forming some form of taxonomy ‫التصنيف‬or structure for your review Identifying where in your taxonomy the various contributions from the literature fall ‫تحديد مكان سقوط مساهمات األدب المختلفة في التصنيف الخاص بك‬ Critically reviewing the literature Identifying different approaches, contradictions between contributions, analysis of strengths and weaknesses Not simply pasting quotes from different papers Drawing your own conclusions, particularly concerning completeness of coverage Highlight implications for your work (if appropriate) 23 23 How to do it… Collect and read current papers and reviews of a field From the list of references cited in these, get copies of those which appear relevant Start to classify the papers you collect in one or several ways to form the basis of a taxonomy Identify authors who are prominent and check what else they have published (WWW useful here) Read contents of recent relevant journals in library Subscribe to mailing lists for coming conferences and look at contributors. 24 24 Constructively Criticising Research.. Researchers have a vast interest in making a piece of work appear significant and worthy of publication They may not be as forthcoming about the limitations of the work as about the benefits Results should be reported in sufficient detail to enable the reader to draw his/her own conclusions and thereby judge the validity of the conclusions drawn by the author Are the conclusions drawn justified by the evidence provided? Is the method of investigation appropriate or flawed? Are the investigators aware of other similar contributions in the field? 25 25 Sources of Literature Books and Journals Electronic Databases Bibliographic Databases Abstract Databases Full-Text Databases Govt. and Industry Reports Research Dissertations / Thesis 26 Web Searching Advanced Search Techniques Use quotation marks to search for phrases Use the minus (-) symbol in front of a word to exclude it Use the advanced search screen to help refine your search Be very specific Search in appropriate domains (.com,.edu,.gov) 27  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University College of Computer and Information Sciences Thank you 28