Undergraduate Research and Methodology

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Undergraduate Research and Methodology

• Ronan Fitzpatrick
• School of Computing, Dublin Institute of
  Technology.
• September 2008

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Overview

• This module
• Learning outcomes
• Learning and teaching methods
• Research methodology

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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.

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Learning and teaching methods

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

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Conclusion

• Learning outcomes
• Learning and teaching methods

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Questions?
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Research Methodology

• Ronan Fitzpatrick
• School of Computing, Dublin Institute of
  Technology.
• September 2008

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Research

• A process of enquiry

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Methodology

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

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Research methodology

• The body of rules and methods that support a
  process of enquiry
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research

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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
  Researchers impressions and reactions.

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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.

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• Hypothesis
• Data gathering
• Data analysis

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Literature review

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

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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).

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Comprehensive study

• Prepare for explaining
• W6h

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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.

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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.

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Authoritative presentation

• Oral presentation

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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 of having researched and
  understood the domain.

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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.

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Other sources

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

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Where does this fit

• The first stage of your project.

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Your Implementation

• Ordinary degree project
• Honours degree project
• See Project coordinators website for
  clarification of the requirements and differences.

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Questions?