Research Methods in Computer Science

1. Research Methodsin Computer Science James Gain jgain@cs.uct.ac.za

2. Administrivia • Recommended Textbook: • Martin S Olivier, Information Technology Research — A Practical Guide for Computer Science and Informatics (2nd ed.) Van Schaik, 2004 • 2 Credits (16 lectures) • 2 Assignments: • Literature Survey • Project Proposal • Computing Knowledge Required: • Online access (library, search engines, databases and publications) • Microsoft Project (or similar project planning tool) • Spreadsheet

3. This Course • What is the Purpose of these Lectures? • Gain skills that are valuable (and valued) outside academia • Prepare for your honours projects • Learn about research-oriented careers • Both theoretical (what is the idea?) • and practical side (how do you do your projects?)

4. This Course • Understand research in Computer Science • Gain methods to plan and propose research projects • Specifically your honours project • Know how to conduct your own research • in an ethical and professional manner • Learn to communicate your results

5. Topics I • Introduction [3] • Designing a research project • Ethics • Pitfalls • The research process • Surveys and Getting Information • Project Management [2] • Experimental Computer Science [3] • Models • Prototypes • Algorithms • Experiments

6. Topics II • Role of Mathematics [1] • Designing User Evaluation Experiments [2] • Statistics • Qualitative Research [2] • Case Studies • Arguments • Action Research • Ethnography • Writing [3] • Reporting Results • Submitting a Paper • Presenting a Paper • Preparing a Poster