Lecture 2 Research Process and Nature of Research.pdf

THE PROCESS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Research Process vs. Research Design The research design is a step in the research process The research design step focuses on how the research will be implemented in practice How will data be collected Where/Who will data be collect...

THE PROCESS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Research Process vs. Research Design The research design is a step in the research process The research design step focuses on how the research will be implemented in practice How will data be collected Where/Who will data be collected from When will data be collected How will the data be analyzed Etc. Characteristics of Research Research is organized:- research must follow a structure (number of steps) Research is systematic:- researchers NEED to follow a set of scientific procedures and principles to obtain reliable and accurate results. Research question(s) /Objectives Research is centrally based on questions and finding answers to such questions:- without a question, research has no purpose. Research question(s) depicts the purpose of the research study The purpose may be: Describing a phenomenon Explaining a phenomenon Understanding a phenomenon Analysing a phenomenon Purpose of Research Add/Fill gap in the knowledge aka. Basic research Mainly done by academics Solve a problem/Aid in decision making aka. Applied research Mainly done by ‘consultants’ in organizations Correlational research Type of data used Type of data used Quantitative research Qualitative research  The Research Process These steps can be further broken down into: Select topic Determining the problem Determining the research gaps Determining the hypothesis Determining the objectives Determining the question(s) Detailed review of literature Determining the research framework Design the research Obtain ethical approval Collect data Analyze/Interpret data Write/present findings TO  The Research Process Is Not A Linear Model The Research Process Is Flexible, ALLOWING A RESEARCHERTO REVISIT PREVIOUS The Research Process ACTIVITIES when necessary Research can further be classified into different types based on certain characteristics: 1. The purpose of the research Theoretical/Basic research Applied research 2. Depth of scope Exploratory research Descriptive research Explanatory research The Research Process 3. The degree of variable manipulation Experimental research Non-experimental research Quasi-Experimental research: an empirical intervention study used to estimate the causal impact of an intervention on target population Type of inference: A conclusion reached based on the basis of evidence and reasoning. Deductive research: A researcher starts with a theory or hypothesis or generalization and then test it through observation and data collection. Top-down approach Inductive research: A researcher collects data to develop theories, concepts or hypothesis based on the patterns and observations seen in the data. 4. The time in which it is carried Longitudinal study: researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that might occur over a period of time. Cross-sectional study: a type of observational research that analysis data from a population at a single point in time. E.g. Number of people in a population with diabetes who are obese and the number of people with a diabetes who are not obese. Etc. Image source: https://live.staticflickr.com/4387/36231833334_3252f05552_b.jpg Nature of Research Computer Science consists of several different areas: Software engineering Computer security Networks and communication Algorithm design Cloud computing AI/ML … Nature of Research Computer Science research can also be categorized (Ramesh et al., 2004): Problem-solving concepts Computer concepts Systems/software concepts Data/information concepts Problem-domain-specific concepts Systems/software management concepts Organizational concepts Societal concepts… Nature of CS Research – From a SE perspective Software engineering involves real people in real environments These people use certain tools, techniques and processes to complete tasks SE research investigates A. The technical processes How do developers develop software Which & How these tools are used in practice The social processes how teams coordinate their work Issues surrounding productivity, diversity, etc. The socio-technical processes Nature of CS Research – From a SE perspective Empirical studies is one of the most important pillars in software engineering research Empirical research is based on observing and measuring phenomena In SE, empirical research involves observing real developers in the real world and using real data from real developers and real projects. Some examples: Observing a group of developers to understand the impact of communication on productivity. Analyzing the use of design patterns in Facebook’s GitHub repository.