Research Methodology Lecture 1 PDF

1 Research Methodology LECTURE #1 LECTURER: PROF. IRINA ZLOTNIKOVA Course Content [1/2] 2  Introduction to Research  Research Proposal: Purpose, Main Components; Identification of Research Problem; Objectives, Research Questions  Literature...

1 Research Methodology LECTURE #1 LECTURER: PROF. IRINA ZLOTNIKOVA Course Content [1/2] 2  Introduction to Research  Research Proposal: Purpose, Main Components; Identification of Research Problem; Objectives, Research Questions  Literature Review  Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Course Content [2/2] 3  Data Analysis: Methods of Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis  Writing a Research Report/Dissertation  Design Science. Developing a Prototype as a Proof of Concept  Research Budget and Research Plan  Presentation and Discussion of Research Results What Are You Expected to Do 4  Lecture Notes will be available after each completed lecture from BlackBoard  Read them carefully and, if necessary, seek assistance from the lecturer  Test #1: September 24, 2024 (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)  Test #2: October 29, 2024 (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)  You also will be given two assignments (Literature Review and Research Proposal) Assessment 5  Exam (50%)  Continuous Assessment (50%)  Tests #1 and #2 (10%*2=20%)  Assignment #1 (10%)  Assignment #2 (20%) Prescribed Textbooks 6  1. C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (Second Edition). New Age Publishers, New Delhi, India, 2004.  2. J.W. Cresswell and J.D. Cresswell. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th Edition). SAGE Publications, 2014. Recommended Textbooks 7  1. J. Bell. Doing Your Research Project (Fourth Edition). Open University Press, the UK, 2005.  2. C. W. Dawson. Projects in Computing and Information Systems: A Student’s Guide (Second Edition). Addison-Wesley, 2009. Topic #1: Introduction to Research 8  Main Definitions  What Research is (and what is not)  Examples of Research Topics Introduction to Research [1/4] 9  How does BIUST differ from other universities in Botswana? Introduction to Research [2/4] 10  How does BIUST differ from other universities in Botswana?  What does it mean – “research-based”? Introduction to Research [3/4] 11  How many of you want to pursue an academic career (after successfully finishing your UG studies to enroll into an MSc programme, and later into a PhD programme)?  What could be the possible motivation to pursue an academic career/to become a researcher? Introduction to Research [4/4] 12  What is research?  What do you need to know to be able to undertake academic research?  13 Main Definitions Research: Definitions 14  Research = search for knowledge  Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic  Research is the art of scientific investigation  Research produces new knowledge in one or several scientific areas (scientific/academic research) Research Problem [1/2] 15  Research problem is some difficulty that researchers identify and want to solve. It could be theoretical or practical  Research problem is an issue or concern that needs to be addressed. The problem comes from a gap in the literature or/ and conflict in research results in the literature Research Problem [2/2] 16  Note: one can also identify a research problem from “real-life” problems found in the workplace, the home, and the community (supported by a literature review to prove that the problem indeed exists and has not been solved by other researchers yet). However, the solution of a research problem must contribute to the body of knowledge within a certain academic discipline (not just solve social problems) Research Problem: Example [1/3] 17  Suppose, we identified the social problem experienced by sick and elderly residents of Khurumela. To collect their prescribed medications, they have to walk several kilometers to the clinic. We decided to help them by organizing the delivery of medications by unmanned aerial vehicles (aka drones). Those will be using GPS coordinates of the patients’ households  The solution to the social problem is found. But is it a research problem? Research Problem: Example [2/3] 18  This is not a research problem, as we are using known algorithms and protocols for drones – thus there is no contribution to the body of knowledge of computer science or informatics (e.g., e-health)  How can we make it a research problem? Research Problem: Example [3/3] 19  If we propose a new algorithm (or improve an existing one) for flying drones, this is research  This new algorithm is universal and can be extended to other locations (not only Khurumela), even to other countries. It can be used not only for medicine delivery but, for example, to deliver and collect ballots for those who cannot come to elections. Or it could be extended to count elephants in the Okavango Delta Research Method and Methodology 20  Research method represents the means, procedure, or technique used to carry out the research process in a logical, orderly, and systematic way  Research method refers to an organized approach to problem-solving  Research methodology is a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline Research Proposal [1/2] 21  Research normally starts with submitting a research proposal. It then has to be considered and approved by a panel of examiners. This applies to both students and professional researchers (applying for funding/grants)  Simply speaking, a research proposal is a description of what you would like to do in your research, and how you intend to achieve the overall (general) objective of the research Research Proposal [2/2] 22  We will consider a research proposal in more detail in one of our next lectures. A research proposal is also one of your assignments in this module Dissertation vs. Thesis [1/2] 23  Students’ research results in a dissertation  UG students in our department do not submit a dissertation but do projects resulting in a report. They have a choice of undertaking development or research  Currently both MSc and PhD programs in our department are by research only, with no coursework. For PG students a dissertation is the main outcome of their studies by which they are assessed Dissertation vs. Thesis [2/2] 24  What is the difference between a dissertation and a thesis?  There is no difference. Those names are used interchangeably. The use of one or another also depends on a university and a country Dissertation [1/2] 25  A dissertation must demonstrate deep academic rigor  The literature review for a dissertation is extensive and should  review existing relevant studies,  identify opposing points of view,  identify gaps in the literature,  identify new research problems and/or new methods to solve them Dissertation [2/2] 26  A dissertation proposes new models, theories, methods, algorithms, frameworks, etc., or improves existing ones by adding new elements to them  In other words, in a dissertation a candidate is required to contribute to the body of academic knowledge. For PhD candidates, the contribution should be significant  The typical requirement is the publication of the results in reputable peer-reviewed journals  27 What Research is AND WHAT IS NOT Academia vs. Industry 28  Can I work in industry…and still do research?  Can I be a researcher……and still work in industry? Academic Research 29  Science aims to discover previously unknown knowledge. The outcome of the academic research process should be an original contribution to the body of knowledge of humankind  The overall goal of academic research is to reduce, or even eliminate uncertainty in what we know  Academic research results are primarily disseminated via academic journals and conferences Purpose of Academic Research 30 The purpose of academic research is  to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures  to find out the truth that is hidden and has not been discovered yet Research and Development (R&D) 31 in Companies [1/2]  A company’s research and development (R&D) department plays an integral role in the life cycle of a product  While the R&D department is usually separate from sales, production, and other commercial units, their functions are interrelated and often require collaboration Research and Development (R&D) 32 in Companies [2/2]  The goal of R&D in companies is not to produce new knowledge (although it could be one of the outcomes), but to generate income through the new products (preferably distinctively different from those of the competitors)  Some examples of the R&D department functions include:  new product research,  new product development New Product Research 33  Before a new product is developed, an R&D department conducts a thorough study to support the project. The research phase includes determining  product specifications,  production costs, and a production timeline  The research also includes an evaluation of the need for the product before the design begins to ensure that customers would want to buy it New Product Development 34  Research paves the way for the development phase. This is the phase when the new product is developed based on the requirements and ideas created during the research phase  The developed product must meet the product guidelines and any regulatory specifications Academic Research vs. R&D [1/4] 35  Academic research and R&D have goals that differ in terms of motivations and activities  How is academic research funded?  How is R&D funded? Academic Research vs. R&D [2/4] 36  How is academic research funded? By…  Universities (public or private)  Government (if it is a public institution)  Companies  Grants from funding agencies  How is R&D funded?  By a company in which it is undertaken Research: Goals 37  A researchers (or a research group) undertake research activities that  establish new knowledge and make it available to the public, often through publications in academic journals or conferences  are not driven by profit; researchers are therefore relatively free to identify their research questions R&D: Goals 38  In a commercial setting, the research activities are always centered on business goals  The main goal is to create new products or services to generate profit for the company R&D: Activities [1/2] 39  For example, an R&D department within a company might perform the following activities:  research in areas related to the long-term business goals (emerging technologies),  monitoring and observing research findings and trends in technology (that can potentially be adopted by a company),  undertaking pilot projects to analyze and evaluate emerging technologies, R&D: Activities [2/2] 40  For example, an R&D department within a company might perform the following activities (continued):  exploring trends in technology for their potential adoption by the organization (e.g., whether a new software architecture would be suitable for adoption and mass production), and  euilding research prototypes and platforms for evaluating technologies Academic Research vs. R&D [3/4] 41  For example, if a company specializing in information systems initiates a system development activity, a primary goal is to develop a successful system. The success of the system is measured by the profit it would bring  If an academic investigates a research question that involves developing a system, then the system itself becomes a means by which the question is answered and not the goal Academic Research vs. R&D [4/4] 42  Thus, you cannot make the development of a system/software/application the main goal of your research. However, it is encouraged in development projects Research vs. Development [1/2] 43  If you develop a system, an application, software, etc., this is not research, as you use known techniques, algorithms, methods, procedures, and programming languages. There is no contribution to the body of knowledge of computer science and information systems (informatics)  This is a development (or consultancy) job Research vs. Development [2/2] 44  However, if you propose a new way (technique, algorithm, method, procedure, software architecture) to develop systems, applications, or software, this is research  If you propose (or significantly improve) a theory, a framework, an algorithm, or a model that could be potentially used to develop systems, applications, or software, this is research Example: Software Development 45 Lifecycle Model [1/5]  A software developer just follows the traditional waterfall model (Fig. 1.1 on the next slide) or any software development lifecycle model (e.g., Scrum) to develop software  A researcher, however, might assume that the classic software development lifecycle described by the waterfall model does not meet modern requirements for software development and should be revised/replaced Waterfall Model 46 Fig. 1.1 An example of the classic waterfall model. It shows not only the steps but also the tangible outcomes of some of those steps Example: Software Development 47 Lifecycle Model [2/5]  First, a researcher would need to prove that the waterfall model needs to be revised/replaced  How:  by extensive literature review,  by interviewing/delivering questionnaires to software developers, system analysts, business owners, users, etc. Example: Software Development 48 Lifecycle Model [3/5]  The literature review on different modifications of the waterfall model, as well as other software development lifecycle models, aims  to identify gaps in existing research  to adopt, if possible, some components of the existing models (to be complemented by the new components) Example: Software Development 49 Lifecycle Model [4/5]  A researcher should always look at the data they collected previously from respondents, to ensure that the new model meets their requirements  After the model is designed, it must either be validated/evaluated or tested  Validation/evaluation is done by exposing the model to the users (the same from whom user requirements had been collected). They have to confirm that the model meets their requirements (validation) or evaluate the model Example: Software Development 50 Lifecycle Model [5/5]  However, it could be difficult for users to validate/evaluate the model (which, in most cases, is just a figure). In this case, a working prototype (software, a system, an application) should be developed based on the proposed model  Users cannot test a model or a framework but they can test a prototype developed based on the proposed model Research vs. Innovation 51  Research produces new ideas, theories, methods, algorithms. Innovation is the practical application of an idea, theory, method, algorithm, etc., produced by research  Innovation is a successful exploitation of a new idea  A real innovation is characterised by a new idea or technology implemented as a sustainable business. Simply saying, if a new idea is impossible to sell, then it is not an innovation Other Types of Research (Non- 52 Academic) [1/2]  A journalist collects material for an article. This is research but not in an academic sense  Students do research when they are given an assignment to investigate and explore a certain topic. This mostly involves searching the Internet or paper- based publications and compiling a literature review Other Types of Research (Non- 53 Academic) [2/2]  Literature review is not academic research  Why a literature review is not research? Because it is an overview of existing documented knowledge. It does not produce new knowledge  However, any academic research involves/starts with a literature review Practical/Tutorial #1 54  Working in groups of two to three students identify broad areas of interest  Propose three more specific research topics within the selected areas  Provide a brief description of not more than 100 words for each of the three topics  Present all three topics to other groups and TAs  55 End of Lecture 1