Introduction to Research in Computer Science The ... - Auckland

Introduction to Research in

Computer Science

The Research Process

Assoc. Prof. Ian Watson

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Contents

n

n

n

n

n

cs.auckland.ac.nz

A Conceptual Process Model

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Key Reference

A Conceptual Model

A Stage Model

Comparison of Models

The Research Process in Practice

Apportioning Effort

? University of Auckland

Approaches to Defining

The Process

n

How to get a Ph.D.: a handbook for

students and their supervisors.

Phillips, E.

Open University Press, UK. 1994

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Background Theory

Background Theory

n

n

n

n

n

n

This phase is based upon the need for the researcher to

familiarise themselves with the research field

note that this may be distinct from existing familiarity with

the practitioner field

this phase usually involves a literature review

The researcher must evaluate the contributions of others

and make justified criticisms where appropriate

trends in research approach and methodology are also

identified here

The researcher should also identify areas of theoretical or

empirical weakness in the research field

Background

Theory

After Phillips, 1994

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

1

Background Theory

Focal Theory

?

n

n

Background Theory

Focal Theory

n

Background Theory

n

How much effort?

n

n

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Focal Theory

? University of Auckland

n

Focal Theory

n

?

Background Theory

Focal Theory

Data Theory

n

n

How much effort?

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Qualitative Data Forms

n

n

n

Background Theory

Focal Theory

Data Theory

for example ...

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Data Theory

n

Background Theory

This is the stage in the research where the

researcher establishes and analyses the nature of

the problem and details exactly what is going to

be researched

the research focuses from the general to the

specific

as the researcher creates hypotheses

examines the arguments of others

and hypothesises that their new principles, data or

artifact will push forward the field

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Quantitative Data Forms

n

Qualitative Study

n

n

Case Study

During this stage the researcher justifies the

relevance and validity of the data that supports

the thesis

this is always focussed upon the appropriateness

of the data

but the exact form of the data varies with the

nature of the project

Interviews

Background Theory

Focal Theory

Data Theory

or for quantitative research...

Quantitative Study

Quasi

Experiment

Experiment

Action

Research

After Phillips, 1994

? University of Auckland

After Phillips, 1994

cs.auckland.ac.nz

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

2

Data Theory

Contribution

?

Focal Theory

n

n

n

n

Background Theory

Data Theory

Background Theory

Focal Theory

Data Theory

Contribution

n

How much effort?

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Contribution

Contribution to knowledge could relate to

the research or practice field, also to the

process of the research

? University of Auckland

A Contribution to Data Theory

Contribution

Focal Theory

Background Theory

Data Theory

cs.auckland.ac.nz

?

Contribution

Focal Theory

Background Theory

Data Theory

How much effort?

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

A Contribution to Focal Theories

? University of Auckland

Contribution to Background Theory

Contribution

Focal Theory

Background Theory

Contribution

Focal Theory

Background Theory

Data Theory

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Data Theory

cs.auckland.ac.nz

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

3

Stages in the Research Process

n

Identify Field of Interest

An Alternative Stage-Based

Model of the Research Process

After Phillips, 1994

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

? University of Auckland

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

n

n

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

Create a Thesis Proposal

Undertake Pilot Study

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

n

n

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

Create a Thesis Proposal

? University of Auckland

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

Create a Thesis Proposal

Undertake Pilot Study

Data Collection

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

4

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

n

n

n

n

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

Create a Thesis Proposal

Undertake Pilot Study

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Stages in the Research Process

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Comparing Research Process Models

? University of Auckland

n

n

n

... whereas the conceptual model allows

for the emergence of the thesis.

It is still linear, however.

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Identify Broad Area

? University of Auckland

Review State of Art

Corresponds to the

Background Theory ...

Literature/Field

Familiarisation

? University of Auckland

n

In reality the process is usually customised to

the particular research project

It is also usually cyclic in nature

hence you may visit stages out of order,

and may re-visit stages several times in

different contexts

and you may find that a combination of the

two processes emerges as your thesis evolves

cs.auckland.ac.nz

Identify Broad Area

Review State of Art

Select Topic

cs.auckland.ac.nz

The Research Process in Practice

n

Note that the stage

model assumes that

there is a linear and

single route through

the research process ...

Identify Field of Interest

Identify Possible Topics

Create a Thesis Proposal

Undertake Pilot Study

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Writing Up

Select Topic

... also to the Linear Stages

Approach

Literature/Field

Familiarisation

cs.auckland.ac.nz

? University of Auckland

cs.auckland.ac.nz

5

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download