Undergraduate Research and Methodology

1. Undergraduate Research and Methodology Ronan Fitzpatrick School of Computing, Dublin Institute of Technology. September 2008

2. Overview • This module • Learning outcomes • Learning and teaching methods • Research methodology

3. Learning Outcomes • Research and report IS topics • Prepare a systems project proposal • Structure a product and user manual • Prepare a professional presentation • Explain the content of a range of business documents relating to systems acquisition, project reporting and staff acquisition.

4. Learning and teaching methods • Lectures • Self-study • Tutorials • Combination of • discussion, case study, problem solving exercises, readings, seminars, and computer-based learning.

5. Conclusion • Learning outcomes • Learning and teaching methods

6. Questions?

7. Research Methodology Ronan Fitzpatrick School of Computing, Dublin Institute of Technology. September 2008

8. Research • A process of enquiry

9. Methodology • According to Avison and Fitzgerald (1988) • Philosophy • Model • Techniques (methods) • Scope • Outputs • Practice • Product

10. Research methodology • The body of rules and methods that support a process of enquiry • Qualitative research • Quantitative research

11. Qualitative research • Developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study social and cultural phenomena. • Method Examples are Action research, Case study research and Ethnography. • Data sources include Observation and Participant observation (fieldwork), Interviews and Questionnaires, Documents and texts, and the Researcher’s impressions and reactions.

12. Quantitative research • Developed in the natural sciences to study natural phenomena • Method examples include • Survey methods • Laboratory experiments • Formal methods (e.g. econometrics) • Numerical methods such as mathematical modeling.

13. Hypothesis • Data gathering • Data analysis

14. Literature review • Definition • A comprehensive study, critical analysis and authoritative presentation of the published research and practice in a domain of investigation.

15. Comprehensive study • Focus • The focus is Information Technology. • Width • Seminal sources. • Information Technology topics (PESTLE). • Depth • Detail to suit target audience. • (will the audience understand).

16. Comprehensive study • Prepare for explaining • W6h

17. Critical Analysis • Critique • Comment on what is good as well as what might be inappropriate. • Argument • Substantiate any alternative perspective or interpretation of the research material. • Synthesis • Propose an enhanced alternative.

18. Authoritative presentation • Written presentation • Highest standard (academic and professional) • Structure and content • Format - Language, vocabulary and style • Illustration and appearance • Citation and Bibliography. • Repeatable • Must be possible for researchers to revisit your sources • Explain and clarify how your synthesis is an enhanced alternative.

19. Authoritative presentation • Oral presentation

20. Overall impression • Scholarly and Authoritative • Based on seminal sources • Dated/modern sources • Depth & breadth • Completeness of research • Content balance • Argument & critique - The ‘so what?’ factor • Vocabulary – Evidence ofhaving researched and understood the domain.

21. Tips of the masters • Read – appropriate publications • Listen – to seminar presenters • Ask – questions of everybody • Observe – in places that you can access • Think – and form opinion • Write – based on what you read, hear and observe • Read what you write, enhance it, read it again and enhance it again – at least twice.

22. Other sources • Undergraduate project manuals in Library • Build on what you already know.

23. Where does this fit • The first stage of your project.

24. Your Implementation • Ordinary degree project • Honours degree project • See Project coordinator’s website for clarification of the requirements and differences.

25. Questions?