lecture7 (cs212)(research methods)
DESCRIPTION
Technical writing is the presentation of information that helps the reader solve a particular problem. Technical communicators write, design, and/or edit proposals, manuals, web pages, lab reports, newsletters, and many other kinds of professional documents.TRANSCRIPT
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Research Methods (Technical Writing CS212)
Lecture 7
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe
Taibah University
College of Computer Science & Engineering
Computer Science Department
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Topic List2
1. Definition of research
2. Research key-terms
3. Research process views
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Definition of Research
� Research is an original investigation
undertaken in order to gain knowledge
and understanding (HEFCE)
�Good researcher is the one who struggles
to find out what the right questions might
be.
Technical Writing (CS212)
Asking the right questions Original investigation
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Research Ideas
� Where Do Ideas for Research Originate? A research project is the outgrowth of 4 factors:”
�The Researcher
�The Academic Environment
�The Literature
�The broader Culture
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Four Goals of Research/Four Research Designs
1. Observational
2. Correlational
3. Experimental
4. Quasi-experimental
1. Describe
2. Predict
3. Understand
4. Create Change
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Formulating a Research Question
� The research question: a very specific, narrowly focused question, often a piece carved out of a bigger topic.
�Consult the literature to see what aspects of the topic have already been researched.
� Carefully word the research question to be precise and concise.
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Choosing a Research Design
� The nature of the research question will determine the type of research “design” to use.
� A research “design” is a plan for answering a research question.
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Research Key-Terms
Technical Writing (CS212)
� Research key-terms: knowledge, originality, andcontribution
� Relation between the three research constituents:
Original investigation
Gaining knowledge Contribution into knowledgemay lead
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Knowledge
Technical Writing (CS212)
Data Information
Knowledge
analyze
Wisdom
what?
ability to practice
how?
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Originality
Technical Writing (CS212)
�Exploring the unknown
�Exploring the unanticipated
�The use of data
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Research Process Views
Technical Writing (CS212)
� Sequential – a series of activities performed one after
another:
1. Select a research topic;
2. Decide on an approach;
3. Plan how you will perform the research;
4. Gather data and information;
5. Identify the broad area of study;
6. Analyze and interpret these data;
7. Present the results and findings;
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Research Process Views (cont…)
Technical Writing (CS212)
�Generalized – identical to the sequential
process but not all stages are necessarily
applicable.
�Circulatory – part of a continuous cycle of
discovery and investigation.
�Evolutionary – research must evolve and
change over time, not necessarily following
a defined circulatory pattern or repeating the
same forms of analysis and interpretation.
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Reasoning Methods
Technical Writing (CS212)
�Deductive reasoning – top-down approach
directed from the more general to the more
specific.
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Reasoning Methods (cont…)
Technical Writing (CS212)
� Inductive reasoning – bottom-up approach
directed from the more specific to the more
general.
� Inductive reasoning – bottom-up approach
directed from the more specific to the more
general.
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A Theory
� Theory is a set of ideas, formally stated, that seeks to explain how an aspect of nature works.
� Research cannot prove a theory,
only support it. Why is this so?
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3 Functions of a Theory� Research findings then reflect back upon the
theory, supporting it or suggesting a need for modification.
�To EXPLAIN a phenomenon or aspect of behavior.
�To ORGANIZE existing knowledge about a phenomenon.
�To GENERATE HYPOTHESES(PREDICTIONS) about a phenomenon, to be tested through research.
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What is a “good” theory?
� One that is…
� Parsimonious
� Clear & precise
� Logical
� Generates hypotheses for research
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Does All Research Test a Theory?
� Not necessarily:
�Most published research reports are not tests of a particular theory.
�Researchers do attempt to refer to and include theories in their write-up.
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Predicting An Outcome
� Not only does the researcher have to commit to a very specific question, he/she may have to commit to a predicted outcome for your study.
� This prediction is the research hypothesis.
� Research that is purely descriptive doesn’t need to state an hypothesis.
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The Research Hypothesis
� An hypothesis is a formal predictionof the study’s outcome (what will be found).
� It is an educated guess, based one or more of the following:
� Particular Knowledge Area Theories
�Researcher’s observations
�Previous published research
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Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis
� Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis means answering the research question
� Concepts must be defined in terms that are observable and measurable.
� This function is achieved through creating operational definitions for the concepts.
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Operational Definitions
� An operational definition transforms an abstract concept into something measurable, like scores on a test.
� How many operational definitions exist for a single concept?
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Variables
� A variable is: an aspect of reality that varies in its value or dimension – (either naturally or because the researcher caused it to vary.)
� Concrete variables: language aspect, duration (time) to finish the project, number of the research group, etc.
� Abstract variables: anxiety, motivation, communication style
� Operational definitions of concepts give the researchers the variables for the study.
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Two Types of Variables
Researchers work with variables in
2 different ways:
1. Variables can be measured.
2. Variables can be manipulated (experimental designs only).
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Independent & Dependent Variables
� Independent Variable: a variable that is manipulated in an experiment to provide participants with different experiences. (Not all designs use independent variables)
� Dependent Variable: a variable that is measured in an experiment in order to see any effects of the independent variable.
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Reference
� Mohammad Alsuraihi, Technical Writing, CS212 Course notes, Taibah University, Madinah, KSA
� Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Teaching Notes, College of Computer Science and Engineering, Taibah University, Madinah, KSA.