Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Provide an overview of the research process
2. State clearly their research problem and associated research questions arising, including both descriptive and either explanatory or exploratory questions
3. Conduct a preliminary literature review of the concepts comprising the research questions
4. Set out clearly a series of theoretical propositions for testing and demonstrate clearly how they arise from the literature review
5. Set out the main elements of a potential research instrument for testing the hypotheses, including a critical and comparative analysis of the proposed instrument
6. Understand how to classify and present data associated with hypothesis testing
7. Understand how to interpret data gathered to test proposed theory
8. Set out limits and implications of a research study in preliminary form
9. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative approaches and methods
10. Prepare a mini-dissertation research proposal
11. Prepare a research plan
Syllabus Content:
This module aims to formally induct the MSc students into the research process including theory and provide an overview of methodologies and methods associated with carrying out independent research. This module is designed to provide a basic understanding of the scientific research process.
Pre-requisites:
Basic mathematical skills.
Indicative syllabus content:
1. Introduction to the research process: overview of the classical scientific research process, becoming a postgraduate researcher, reflexivity, personal and research objectives
2. Topic selection, problem formulation, setting out research study objectives, formulating different types of research questions(descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, emancipatory etc.), qualities of focused RQs
3. Critiquing the academic literature: features and sources of academic publications in Computing and IS, preparing a focussed the literature survey and review, referencing styles and conventions, the relationship between the literature review and research questions, the relationship between the literature review and theory, reviewing criteria for academic publications
4. Theory formulation: concepts & variables, propositions and hypotheses, different types of propositions, setting out testable propositions, relationships between propositions (building theoretical frameworks)
5. Designing a research approach to test theory: fixed vs. flexible designs, Overview of Quantitative, Qualitative and Multi-method approaches
5.1. Quantitative methodological approaches
5.1.1. The principles of quantitative research
5.1.2. Experimental research design
5.1.3. Sampling and statistics
5.1.4. Questionnaire design
5.1.5. Types of variable
5.1.6. Methods for one variableMethods for 2 variables
5.1.8. Outline of multivariate methods
5.1.9. Introduction to statistical inference
5.1.10. Computer applications – SPSS & Minitab
5.1.11. SPSS and Minitab.
5.2. Overview of Qualitative methodological approaches
5.2.1. Theory and its relation to qualitative research methods
5.2.2. Grounded theory
5.2.3. Ethnography
5.2.4. Action research
5.2.5. Case study research
5.2.6. The interview as an investigative method
5.2.7. Observation and the nature of observation
5.2.8. Reflection and reflexivity within qualitative research
5.2.9. Techniques and issues in gathering data
5.2.10. Principles of data analysis within qualitative research
5.2.11. Interpreting qualitative data
6. Qualities of a research proposal: Criteria of coherence, comprehensiveness and currency, originality, impact, validity, reliability, generalisability, significance, rigour, some epistemological considerations
7. Conducting a Research Study
7.1. Overview of preparing a thesis/ research paper for submission under Taught M.Sc. guidelines
7.2. Major sections of a research publication and their purpose
7.3. Evaluation and reviewer criteria for research publications
7.4. Managing the Supervisor – the role of the supervisor and the role of the student
7.5. Setting research agenda
7.6. Research journals and diaries
7.7. Setting out and managing a research plan
8. Conducting research in WIT: facilities and programmes
Recommended Learning Modes
Lectures, group work, practical sessions and workshops.
Practical Programme:
Seminar and workshop sessions e.g. exchange of ideas, methods workshops, computer packages for research e.g. SPPS & Minitab, NU-Dis, online resources.