Borana University

College of Natural & Computational Science

Department of Computer Science
Research Method in Computer Science

Chapter One: Introduction

By: Bekan A. (MSc)

01

01 What is Research and not Research ?

c ontents 02 Scientific Research

03 Objectives of Research

04 Significance of Research

05 Characteristics of Research

06 Types of Research

07 Criteria for Good Research

02
What Research is?
• Research is a systematic and methodical
investigation or inquiry into a specific topic
or problem with the goal of
Ø discovering new knowledge
Ø testing hypotheses
Ø developing theoriesYOUR TITLE
• Robert Babbie “Research is a systematic
inquiry to discribe, explain, predict, and
control the observed
Keyword
phenomenon.” Keyword
03 Cont ...
• Research is a systematic search for
adequate information to reach objective
knowledge of a specific topic.

• Research is a process of which a person observes the

phenomena again and again and collects the data, and draws
conclusion. YOUR TITLE

Keyword Keyword
04
Cont ...

• Involves
Ø collecting and analyzing data
Ø evaluating evidence
Ø drawing conclusions based on that
evidence.
YOUR TITLE
• Research can be conducted in various fields, such as science,
social sciences, humanities, informatics and engineering.
Keyword Keyword
05
What Research is not ?
• A random collection of facts or information.
• A personal opinion or bias.
• A simple summary of existing knowledge.
• A quick answer to a question without proper analysis or
evidence.
• A one-time event, butYOURrather
TITLE an ongoing process of
learning and discovery.

Keyword Keyword
06 What It Takes?

• Creativity
• Open mind
• Curiosity
• Patience
• Determination YOUR TITLE
• Positive Attitude
• Discipline and focus
Keyword Keyword
07 Scientific Research
• Scientific research is a systematic and formalized process for
acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation,
and analysis.

• It involves the formulation and testing

o f h y p ot h e s e s , t he c oYOUR
l l e cTITLE
tion and
analysis of data, and the interpretation
and communication of results.
Keyword Keyword
08 Elements of Scientific Research

1. Hypothesis: A tentative statement or explanation that is

tested through experimentation or observation.
2. Experimentation: Process of testing hypotheses through
controlled manipulation of variables and measurement of
outcomes. YOUR TITLE
3. Data Analysis: The process of interpreting and drawing
conclusions from data collected during experiments or
observations.
Keyword Keyword
09
Elements of Scientific Research

4. Replication: The repetition of experiments or observations

to confirm or disconfirm hypotheses.
5. Peer Review: The process of having other experts review
and evaluate the quality and validity of research findings
before they are published.
YOUR TITLE

Keyword Keyword
10
Objectives of Research

• The objectives of research are the

specific goals that a researcher aims
to achieve through their study.

• These objectives provide a clear

YOUR TITLE
understanding of what the researcher
intends to accomplish and guide the
research process.
Keyword Keyword
11
Purposes of Research Objectives
• Exploration and Description (describe a particular
phenomenon or event)
• Explanation and Understanding (explain the underlying
reasons or causes)
• Prediction and Forecasting (predict future occurrences)
YOUR TITLE
• Problem-Solving (address specific problems)
• Validation and Verification (validate existing theories,
hypotheses and verify its accuracy and reliability)
Keyword Keyword
• Ethical Considerations (ensure ethical conduct)
12
Motivation of Research
What makes people undertake research?
• Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits
• Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems
YOUR TITLE
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing creative work
• Desire to be service to society
• Desire to get respectability
• Curiosity about new things, etc...
Keyword Keyword
13
Significance of Research

• A means of income
• The outlet for new ideas and insights
• The development of new styles and creative work
• The generalizations of new theories
• Fountain of knowledgeYOUR TITLE

• Important source of guidelines for solving different

problems
Keyword Keyword
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Significance and Motivations in Research
• To MSc or PhD students, research may mean a careerism
• To BSc students knowledge and skill acquisition
• To professionals research may mean a source of livelihood
• To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the
outlet for new ideas and insights
• To literary men and women, research may mean the dev’t
YOUR TITLE

of new styles and creative work

• To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the
generalizations of new theories
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Research Requirements
Money (fund) Time and space

A
Research
Requirements

D C
People (group of
researchers) Experimental
Subjects ...
16
Characteristics of Research
• Originates with a question or problem.
• Requires clear articulation of a goal/objectives.
• Follows a specific plan or procedure.
• Often divides main problem into sub-problems.
• Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
YOUR TITLE
• Accepts certain critical assumptions.
• Requires collection and interpretation of data.
• Suggests possible solutions to the problem
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• Cyclic in nature.
17
Types of Research

• Descriptive vs Analytical Research

• Applied vs Basic Research
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
• Conceptual vs. Empirical Research
YOUR TITLE

Keyword
18
Types of Research (1)

Descriptive vs Analytical Research

• Descriptive Research
§ Surveys and fact-finding enquiries.
§ Includes comparative and correlational methods.
YOUR TITLE
• Analytical Research
§ Use facts or information already available, and
Keyword

analyze these to make a critical evaluation.

19
Types of Research (2)

Applied vs. Basic (Fundamental)

• Applied research
§ Finding a solution for an immediate problem in a
society/ industrial/ business organization.
YOUR TITLE

• Fundamental research
§ Concerned with generalizations and formulation of
Keyword

theory.
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Applied vs Basic (Fundamental)

• Basic • Applied
 Pure, fundamental research • Central purpose to solve an
 Discovery of new knowledge; immediate problem
theoretical in nature • Improved processes
 Ta k e s m a n y y e a r s f o rYOUR
t h TITLE
e • Infers beyond the group or
results of basic research to find situation studied
some practical utility • Interpretation of results
reliesKeyword
upon Basic research
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Types of Research (3)
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Quantitative research
§ It based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
• Qualitative research
§ It concerned withYOUR
qualitative
TITLE phenomenon.
§ Specially important in the behavioral sciences where
the aim is to discover of human behavior.
Keyword
22
Types of Research (4)
Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Conceptual research
§ Related to some abstract idea(s) or theory.
§ Used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new
concepts or to reinterpret
YOUR TITLE existing ones.

• Empirical research (Experimental Research)

§ It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions.
Keyword

§ Verified by observation or experiment.

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Research Methods in Problem-Solving

• In healthcare: Researchers utilize experimental studies to

evaluate the efficacy of medical treatments or interventions in
addressing health-related issues.
• In business: Market researchers employ quantitative surveys
YOUR TITLE
and qualitative interviews to understand consumer preferences.
• In social sciences: Sociologists uses to investigate social
phenomena such as inequality, discrimination,
Keyword or cultural
dynamics.
24
Research Methods in Problem-Solving

• In education: Educators apply action research approaches to

improve teaching practices and enhance student learning
outcomes within educational settings.
• In informatics: Researchers requires a systematic approach
YOUR TITLE
to identify, analyze, and solve problems using computational
thinking, algorithmic reasoning and etc
Keyword
25
Effective Report Writing Principle
Key principles for effective report writing
• Clarity and Conciseness (clear and concise manner)
• Structure & Organization (well structured & logical flow)
• Audience Consideration (tailor the report to specific audience)
• Use of Visual Aids (charts, graphs,
YOUR TITLE & tables for complex data)
• Accuracy and Objectivity (info in the report is accurate
• Proper Citation and Referencing
Keyword

• Proofreading and Editing (to eliminate grammatical errors ...)

26
Criteria for Good Research
a) Clear Research Question: study begins with a clear and
focused research question that defines the scope of inquiry
b) Methodological Rigor: addressing the research question,
with careful consideration given to sampling, data collection,
and analysis techniques YOUR TITLE

c) Validity and Reliability: findings should be valid & reliable

d) Ethical Considerations: must adhere to ethical guidelines
Keyword
27
Criteria for Good Research
e) Literature Review: helps situate the research within
itsbroader context
f) Data Interpretation: findings should be done with caution
avoiding misrepresentation of results
g) Contribution to Knowledge:
YOUR TITLE should contribute new
insights or knowledge to its respective field

Keyword
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Research in Computing
• Research in computing refers to the systematic investigation and
study of computer science, information technology, and
related fields to advance knowledge, develop new technologies,
and solve complex problems.
• It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at exploring,
YOUR TITLE

understanding, and improving various aspects of computing,

including hardware, software, algorithms, systems, networks,
Keyword

and applications.
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THE END