Knowledge and understanding What is research?
2.1.5 Summary
Now that the three main aspects of research have been looked at in detail, one other definition of research is presented to see if it encapsulates the essence of the term. As an example, take the definition of research by Sharp et al. 2002: 7, which is: ‘seeking through methodical processes to add to one’s own body of knowledge and to that of others, by the discovery of non-trivial facts and insights’. Once again, the important terms within this definition have been italicised, a number of which relate directly to those that have been discussed already. ‘Add’, for example, relates to the discussion of ‘contribution’, and ‘discovery’ appears to imply some form of ‘originality’. ‘Non-trivial facts’ and ‘insights’ relate to ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’, not data or information. One element that this definition contributes, that the HEFCE definition did not, is the idea of a ‘methodical process’. This points out that research is not something done in an Demoralised Conscious Blissful ignorance No Yes Yes No Competent Complacent Confident Figure 2.2 Self-awareness of a research field 20 Chapter 2 n Research ad hoc manner but is something that is planned and pursued in a considered way. Thus, the process of performing research, which is discussed in the following section, is methodical. Drawing these points together results in the following succinct definition of research, which encapsulates all the elements discussed so far – consideration, originality, contri- bution and knowledge: Research is a considered activity, which aims to make an original contribution to knowledge. •2.2 The research process
2.2.1 Overview
One thing that the above definition of research recognised is that research must be a con- sidered activity. In other words, your research activity should not be performed as and when you feel like it, but it should follow a recognised process. Blaxter et al. 2006: 8–9 identify four common views of the research process: sequential, generalised, circulatory and evolutionary: n Sequential. The sequential process is the simplest view of all. In this process a series of activities are performed one after another as a ‘fixed, linear series of stages’. An example of such a process is the systematic process model of Sharp et al. 2002: 17. This process consists of seven unique, sequential steps:1. Identify the broad area of study.
2. Select a research topic.
3. Decide on an approach.
4. Plan how you will perform the research.
5. Gather data and information.
6. Analyse and interpret these data.
7. Present the results and findings.
Although this model appears entirely sequential, Sharp et al. admit that repetition and cycles may take place during this process. However, how and when this repetition takes place is not explicitly identified. Another, perhaps simpler, example of a sequential research process is that defined by Greenfield 1996: 7. Greenfield breaks the research process into four steps:1. Review the field – i.e., perform a literature survey.
2. Build a theory – based on your understanding and interpretations of the field.
3. Test the theory – does it work?4. Reflect and integrate – i.e., update your ideas based on your ‘tests’ and contribute
your newfound knowledge to others. n Generalised. The generalised research process is identical to the sequential process in that a defined sequence of activities is performed one after the other. However, the generalised model recognises that not all stages are applicable and some steps may require performing in different ways depending on the nature of the research. Thus, the generalised model identifies alternative routes that may be taken at different stages 2.2 The research process 21 depending on the nature and outcomes of the research. An example of such a model is that of Kane 1985: 13, which has 11 distinct stages and a number of alternative research methods. n Circulatory. The circulatory approach recognises that any research is really only part of a continuous cycle of discovery and investigation. Quite often, research will un- cover more questions than it answers and, hence, the research process can begin again by attempting to answer these newfound questions. Experiences of research might lead you to revisit or reinterpret earlier stages of your work Blaxter et al., 2006: 9. The circulatory interpretation also permits the research process to be joined at any point and recognises that the process is never-ending. An example of a circulatory process is Rudestam and Newton’s Research Wheel 2007: 5, which suggests a ‘recursive cycle of steps that are repeated over time’. n Evolutionary. The evolutionary concept takes the circulatory interpretation one step further and recognises that research must evolve and change over time, not necessar- ily following a defined circulatory pattern or repeating the same forms of analysis and interpretation that were performed before. The outcomes of each evolution impact on later ones to a greater or lesser extent. Perhaps one of the more appropriate examples of the research process is that defined by Orna and Stevens 1995: 11. They define a process that is circulatory at the top level and evolutionary within the main searchinvestigation stage of the process. Figure 2.3 is an adapted interpretation of this model. Figure 2.3 The real research processParts
» Projects in Computing and Information Systems A Student's Guide 0273721313 Pearson 2009
» Introduction What are computing projects?
» Computing project types What are computing projects?
» Programming in computing projects
» Degree structures Degree requirements
» Degree requirements for projects
» Overview Your supervisor Stakeholders
» Clients and users Stakeholders
» Evaluators and testers Stakeholders
» Overview How this book is arranged
» Taught degree projects versus research degrees
» Summary Projects in Computing and Information Systems A Student's Guide 0273721313 Pearson 2009
» A definition What is research?
» Originality What is research?
» Gaincontribution What is research?
» Knowledge and understanding What is research?
» Identify the broad area of study.
» Plan how you will perform the research.
» Gather data and information.
» Analyse and interpret these data.
» Present the results and findings.
» Review the field – i.e., perform a literature survey.
» Build a theory – based on your understanding and interpretations of the field.
» Test the theory – does it work?
» Reflect and integrate – i.e., update your ideas based on your ‘tests’ and contribute
» Intellectual discovery The research process
» Research methods Research methods
» List or multiple choice. Provides the respondent with a number of options to
» Scale. Used to rate the respondent’s feelings towards something.
» Ranking. Used to order a series of options. You should not provide too many
» Complex grid or table. Used to gather similar responses on a range of questions.
» Open-ended. Used to obtain extended, qualitative answers.
» Summary Further reading Action points
» Techniques and Information Sources
» Additional considerations Choosing a project
» Follow any guidelines precisely. Most institutions require specific information; for
» Proofread thoroughly and get someone else to check it. Any errors or omissions
» Introduction to the subject area. This will provide the reader with an under-
» Current research in the field. This will emphasise that your project is not based in
» Identify a gap. You should be able to identify some aspect of the field that requires
» Identify how your work fills the gap. Having identified a gap in the field, your
» Identify risks and solutions. It is also useful in a project proposal to highlight any
» Explicit sections Preparing a project proposal
» Reviewing your proposal Preparing a project proposal
» Exercise Projects in Computing and Information Systems A Student's Guide 0273721313 Pearson 2009
» The project process Introduction
» Definition The project’s stages
» Planning The project’s stages
» Initiation The project’s stages
» Control The project’s stages
» Closure. The project’s stages
» Complete a literature search and literature review of existing stock market prediction
» Develop a suitable artificial neural network model.
» Identify and collect suitable data for analyses and evaluation.
» Evaluate the model using appropriate statistical techniques.
» Complete final report. Setting objectives
» Step 1 – Work Breakdown Project planning
» Step 2 – Time estimates Project planning
» Step 3 – Identify milestones Project planning
» Step 4 – Activity sequencing Project planning
» Step 5 – Scheduling Project planning
» Step 6 – Re-planning Project planning
» Rolling wave planning Project planning
» Risks. Include a list of critical risk factors and means of dealing with these risks
» Organisation. If you are undertaking a group project it would be worthwhile
» Alleviate critical risks Introduction
» Identify risks Risk management
» Alleviate critical risks Risk management
» Controlling risks Risk management
» Research degrees versus taught degree projects
» A starting point Introduction
» The literature survey process
» Format of information Literature searching
» Tracing the information Literature searching
» Inter-library loans Literature searching
» Some tips for performing a literature search
» Critical evaluation Writing literature reviews
» Overview The past Introduction
» Introduction The software development life cycle SDLC
» Requirements definition Requirements capture
» Requirements specification Requirements capture
» Functional specification Requirements capture
» Design The software development life cycle SDLC
» Build The software development life cycle SDLC
» Test The software development life cycle SDLC
» Implementation The software development life cycle SDLC
» The earliest ’model’: build-and-fix
» The stage-wise and classical waterfall models conventional models
» explore the requirements of the system with the user – requirements capture, andor
» explore the technical feasibility of a system – experimental prototyping.
» Which development approach should I use?
» Which programming language should I use?
» Introduction Top-down and bottom-up development
» Top-down development Top-down and bottom-up development
» Bottom-up development Top-down and bottom-up development
» Verification Verification, validation and testing
» Validation Verification, validation and testing
» Testing Verification, validation and testing
» Who is involved with testing and evaluation?
» Test plans Miscellaneous testing types
» Quality assurance and quality control
» Exercises Projects in Computing and Information Systems A Student's Guide 0273721313 Pearson 2009
» Getting started – project initiation
» Managing the five project elements
» Introduction Dealing with problems
» Weakening Dealing with problems
» Personal problems Dealing with problems
» Hardware failure Dealing with problems
» Data availability Dealing with problems
» Discovering your workresearch has been done before
» Analyse what you are currently doing.
» Change what you are doing to achieve your aims.
» eliminate activities you don’t need to do; and
» be more efficient doing the things you have to do.
» Time management tips Procrastination
» Using your supervisor effectively
» Introduction Working in teams
» Team development Working in teams
» Managing the team Working in teams
» Teamwork tips Working in teams
» Considerations Writing and structuring reports
» Approaches to writing Writing and structuring reports
» When should I start writing?
» Identify structure. This relates to the content of your report, using a report break-
» Identify presentational style. You should also try to set standards at this stage on
» Draft the introduction. The introduction gives the reader an idea of the
» Develop the main body. The main body of your report is the next part you
» Articulate conclusions and make recommendations. Quite clearly, your conclu-
» Complete the introduction. As part of the evolutionary approach to writing,
» Write the abstract. You cannot really write a clear abstract for your report until
» Add references and appendices. Although you will be collating references and
» Arrange contents list, index. Leave the completion of an index if one is required
» Proofread, check and correct. It is vitally important to proofread your report after
» Introductionliterature review – the first chapter of your report should always be
» Main body – the content of which depends on the type of project you are un-
» Conclusionsrecommendations – summarises the contribution of the work and
» Style Writing and structuring reports
» Word processing Writing and structuring reports
» Tips Writing and structuring reports
» Presenting charts and graphs
» Common mistakes Data presentation
» Miscellaneous charts Data presentation
» Other data presentation Data presentation
» Introduction Referencing material and avoiding plagiarism
» Citing references Referencing material and avoiding plagiarism
» Listing references Referencing material and avoiding plagiarism
» Commenting program code Documenting software
» Writing user guides Documenting software
» The presentation content Visual aids
» Introduction. One or two slides that introduce you and your talk.
» Main body. The slides that constitute the bulk of your presentation and cover the
» Summaryconclusion. A few slides that summarise your presentation and perhaps
» Dealing with questions Oral presentations
» Poster preparation tips Poster presentations
» Introduction Preparation Demonstrating software
» Demonstration tips Demonstrating software
» Introduction Viva voce examinations
» Introduction Examiners and the marking of your project
» General. Examiners will look at the relevance and appropriateness of the topic
» Report. Examiners will look for clarity, consistency, an appropriate use of
» Defence. Examiners will assess the types of arguments you have made to support
» Other. Examiners will review the administrative issues of your project. For example,
» What was the research question?
» Is it a ‘good’ question? This involves a comprehensive literature review to ensure
» Has the student answered the question adequately?
» Has the student made an adequate contribution to knowledge?
» The project approach from a technical perspective i.e., not a project management
» General project considerations subject independent
» Literature reviewproject foundation Assessment criteria
» Project approachmethods Assessment criteria
» Results and contributions Assessment criteria
» Introduction Taking your project further
» Seeking funding Developing commercial software packages
» Copyright and patents Taking your project further
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