Pcs1.1
Scientific Research Methodology
Srm-1.1: Course Overview
© kmustafa@jmi.ac.in
Objectives
 To provide a overview of the module titled ‘Research methods in
Computer Science’, including the following:
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Purpose
Goal and Objectives
Course Contents
Evaluation
Resources
 To introduce research and the commonly-used closely related
terminology.
 To highlight the spirit of research and importance of methods and
methodology for it.
 To elaborate course content, instructional and assessment practice.
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Topics
• Course Delivery
• Title Keywords
• Target Audience
• Module Goals
• Learning outcomes
• Course Content
• Importance
• Evaluation
• Resources
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Course Delivery
 Schedule, L-T-P: 3-1-0 Weekly (Th&Fri)
 PPT – primarily pointers for me, may used as notes
 Note Taking – Customised to your needs!
 Interaction – Free at any point!
 Assignments (submission @kmfarooki@gmail.com)
By the deadline only!
 Readings – as prescribed from time-to-time
 Formative Evaluation: 25%
 (MT-15+HA-10+Presentation/Participation etc-5)
 Summative Evaluation: 75% -SemExam
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Research
• Research (Dictionary)
– Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry.
– Close, careful study.
– To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a
detailed, accurate manner.
• Study (Dictionary)
– The pursuit of knowledge, as by reading, observation, or
research.
– Attentive scrutiny.
– To apply one’s mind purposefully to the acquisition of
knowledge or understanding of (a subject).
– To inquire into; investigate.
– To examine closely; scrutinize.
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..Research
•
Original investigation undertaken to gain knowledge and understanding
including following:
• Works of direct relevance to commerce, industry and public
sectors;
• Scholarship (Research Infrastructure);
• Invention and generation of ideas, images, performances and
artifacts including design, where these lead to new or substantially
improved insights;
• Use of existing knowledge in experimental development to
produce new or substantially improved materials, devices,
products and processes, including design and construction.
(Higher Education Funding Council for England)
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Methodology
• Study of or about methods
• A way of doing something
based on particular principles
and methods
• The well-organized set of
method(s) used to identify,
design and conduct research to
answer research questions in
hand concerning solution(s) to a
problem.
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Research Methodology
According to Sandra Harding:
"a research method is a technique for (or way of
proceeding in) gathering evidence“
while
"methodology is a theory and analysis of how
research does or should proceed”
and
"an epistemology is a theory of knowledge" .
From “Is There a Feminist Method?”
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Scientific Research Methodology
• The study of, about, and concerning relating to
science, or using the organized research methods of
science.
• The conceptual and method-related spirit, concepts,
paradigms, and issues that go into the successful
conduction of research.
• A general framework on how scientists:
o approach
o identify the research problem or question
o propose a hypothesis with a potential explanation
o gather data about their topic, and
o Reach findings as solutions.
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Target Audience

Who wants to really teach!
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Who wants to do research!
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Who wants to follow research
(i.e., read papers) !
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Who wants to be able to make smart decisions / draw
conclusions!
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Who likes thinking critically!
A tendency to formalise things is a highly critical factor to success.
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Beneficiaries
(Hilary et al, ACM 1-59593-603-3/06/0006)
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Module Goals
 To provide a deep and systematic understanding of the nature,
context and conduct of research – with special reference to CS.
 To equip with the ability to undertake independent research related
tasks.
 To enhance existing transferable key skills, towards the significant
contributions.
 To develop high-order transferable key skills.
 To inculcate discipline specific understanding of emerging research
paradigm, methods and skills.
 To remind implicitly the LSEP issues applicable to the computer
science research and developments.
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Learning Outcomes
 Understanding of how established techniques of research and
enquiry are used to extend, create and interpret knowledge in
CS.
 Conceptual understanding that are sufficient for the following:
◦ Evaluate critically current research and advanced
scholarship in CS, and
◦ Propose possible alternative directions for further work.
 Ability to deal with complex issues at the forefront of the
academic discipline of CS in a manner, based on sound
judgments, that is both systematic and creative; and be able to
communicate conclusions clearly to both specialists and nonspecialists.
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..Learning Outcomes
 Understanding of the philosophical positions, grand challenges
and spirit of research in computer science.
 Demonstration of self-direction and originality in tackling and
solving problems within the domain of CS.
 Ability to act autonomously in planning and implementing
solutions in a professional manner.
 Ability to define and plan a programme of independent
research and participate within the professional, legal and
ethical framework.
 Generic research skills – such a reviewing, planning, designing,
reasoning, writing, publishing - in today’s research scenario
and context.
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…Learning Outcomes
 Qualities and transferable skills that may be necessary for employment,
especially high academic positions, requiring:
• the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility,
• decision making in complex and unpredictable
situations, and
• the independent learning ability required for
continuing professional.
 Skills set to be able to continue to advance their
knowledge; and understanding, and to develop new skills
to a high level - with respect to continuing development
across the discipline of CS.
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In short, we should learn to
understand well the spirit, context and established
research paradigms in CS; and
be able to plan, and conduct our own research,
using appropriate and valid methods
taking into account ethical issues and professional limitations
to reach significant valid contributions.
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Course Content
1. Research
Fundamentals
and Literature
Review
2. Scientific
Studies and
Methods
3. Research
Paradigms and
Models
4. Research
Design and
Instruments
5. Research
Context of
Computer
Science
1.1 Course Overview
1.2 Research Fundamentals
2.1 Scientific Research
2.2 Scientific Methods
3.1 Research Paradigms
3.2 Research Process Models
4.1 Research Design
4.2 Research Instruments
5.1Researching Computer Science
5.2 Grand Challenges in CS Research
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Importance
“The most common error made in reading [and
conducting] research is overlooking the
methodology and concentrating on the conclusions.
Yet if the methodology isn’t sound, the conclusions
and subsequent recommendations won’t be sound.”
(Patricia Goubil-Gambrell, additions mine)
"It is the theory that decides, what can be observed."
Albert Einstein
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Resources
 Paul D. Leedy & Jeanne E. Ormod: Practical Research – Planning and
Design, 8ed, Pearson, 2005
 Briony J. Oates: Researching Information Systems and Computing,
SAGE Publications, Delhi, 2007
 Walliman: Your Research Project (2ed), Vistaar Publications Delhi
 Christian W. Dawson: Projects in Computing and Information Systems
(A Student’s Guide). Addison Wesley, 2005.
 Justin Zobel: Writing for Computer Science. Springer, 2004.
 Handouts: Relevant Articles, Research papers , Technical Reports etc
 Freely Accessible Web Resources
 K. Mustafa (2021): Scientific Research Primer, Ane Books
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Your Honest Feedback!
Speed of progression !
Questioning - Answering !
Formalities - Seriousness !
Teaching Organization !
Teaching Style !
Exercises / Supplements !
Humor, motivation etc !
Improvements from my side!
Improvements from your side!
Enjoy-to-Learn and Learn to Enjoy.
Improvise within the context and circumstances.
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Assignment 1.1
(March 13, 2025)
A. Conduct a web search on “scientific and ICT inventions”
and tabulate them year by year during the last decade,
including the top10-of-them for the following:
1.
2.
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5.
6.
7.
Inventions and their respective impact/implications
Inventors with their respective contributions & citizenship
Noble laureates by Name, contribution, field & citizenship
Budget-allocating countries
Research publishing countries
Industrial growth observing countries
GDP and PCI by countries
B. Prepare a crisp (well-formatted, MS Word) summary
report describing ‘my insight on scientific and ICT
inventions’.
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