Gambella University

Faculty of Natural and Computational Sciences

Department of computer science

A course Outline
Course Title: Research methods in computer science
Credit hours: 2
Course Code: CoSc-4123
Year: Year IV

Sem: I

Program : Regular (BSc Degee)

Prerequisites: None

Courses Category : Compulsory

Instructor: Belay G. (MSc.)

Course Description

The course focuses on the study of current methods and techniques in computer science research.The
major topics includes research in computing, proposal preparation, using resources to conduct
research, writing research papers and making presentations and understand essential ethical issues.
The instructional methods and techniques include traditional lectures with some assignments, student
presentations and group problem solving.

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 Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

 Describe research methods in computing

 Develop effective research proposal
 Conduct research effectively in computer related fields
 Appropriately use resources to conduct research
 Organize and prepare technical papers, thesis and presentations
 Work and cooperate effectively with other research workers on a computing research
 Aware of the research ethics and other related issues

Course outline

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Research (5 hr)

1. What is Research ?
1.1. Scientific Research
1.2. Types and Approaches of Research
1.3. Research Methods and Problem Solving
1.4. Effective Report Writing Principles and Criteria for Good Research
1.5. Research in Computing

Chapter 2: Research Processes (6 hr)

2. Overview of Current State of the Art Areas and Techniques in Computing

2.1. The Process
2.2. Selecting researchable issues
2.3. Selecting research topics (subject) within the subject
2.4. Following the Objectives
2.5. Developing( Formulation) of reserch Problem
2.6. Conduct relevant literature review
2.6.1. Importance and Roles of Literature Review
2.6.2. Skills and Keys to Effective Literature Review
2.6.3. Literature Sources (Journals, Conference Proceedings, Books, Reports, Thesis, etc
2.7. Formulation of reserch hypothesis
2.8. Identify variables
2.9. Research design
2.10. Data collection
2.11. Data interpretation, analysis
2.12. Presentin ,drawing Conclusion and Identifying Future Work

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 2.13. Results and reporting
2.13.1. Written report
2.13.2. Oral presentation

Chapter 3

3. Proposal preparation
3.1. Selecting researchable issues
3.2. Selecting research topics (subject) within the subject
3.3. Developing( Formulation) of reserch Problem
3.4. Setting Objectives
3.5. Statement of the problem
3.6. Limitations and delimitation
3.7. Conduct relevant literature review
3.8. Design
3.9. Time frame
3.10. Required budget - If appropriate
3.11. Sample and More Acceptable Research Proposal Structure

Chapter 4

4. Preparation of final project (Documentation)

4.1. Format and lay out

Chapter 5
5.1 Ethical Issues in Research

5.2. Plagiarism, Falsification, Fabrication

5.3. Academic Honesty Related Issues – Ex. Misleading Authorship

5.4. Other Ethical Issues in Computing

Assement and evaluation

Your academic progress will be evaluated with two assesment schemes: Foramtive and summative
evaluation.

Formative: tests, if any, proposal preparation, presentaion, mid term exam etc................................ 50%
summative: Final examination.............................................................................................................,..... 50℅

Total ...............................................................................................................,..........................................100%

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