Research

• Word has a broad spectrum of meanings

–“Research this topic on ….”

–“Years of research has produced a new ….”

What Research is Not• Not mere information gathering

– Computer Crime– XML for Web Pages

• Not the mere transportation of facts from one location to the next– Computer Crime and Digital Signatures– XML versus HTML

• Not merely rummaging for information

What Research Is• Originates with a question or a

problem.– makes a difference, worthy

– leads to new knowledge

– human mind struggling with data

• A clear articulation of a goal– What problem to you intend to solve?

What Research Is• Follows a specific plan of procedure

– how you will reach your goal

• Usually divided into manageable subproblems

• guided by a hypothesis• accepts certain critical assumptions• the collection and interpretation of data

What is Good Research?

• Purpose clearly defined - scope, limitations are fully defined

• Process detailed - can be repeated and except when secrecy is imposed reveal the sources of data and means by which they were obtained

• Design thoroughly planned - make as objective as possible

What is Good Research?

• High ethical standards applied• Limitations frankly revealed - there are very

few perfect designs• adequate analysis - data classified to clearly

reveal findings, probability of error should be estimated

• findings presented unambiguously• conclusions justified

Format of the Research Proposal

• Problem Description

• Research Objectives

• Literature Review

• Importance/Benefits of the Study

• Research Design

Format of the Research Proposal

• Data Analysis

• Schedule

• Facilities and Special Resources

• Deliverables

• References

Problem Statement

• Convince the “sponsor” to continue reading the proposal

• know the dilemma, its significance and why something should be done to change the current status quo

Research Objectives

• Flows naturally from the problem statement giving the reader a concrete, achievable goal.

• Verify the consistency of the proposal by checking to see that each objective is discussed in the research design, data analysis and results sections

Literature Review

• Recent or historically significant research studies

• Always refer to the original source

• discuss how the literature applies, show the weaknesses in the design, discuss how you would avoid similar problems

Importance/Benefits of the Study

• Importance of the doing the study now

• if you find this difficult to write, then most likely you have not understood the problem

Research Design

• What you are going to do in technical terms.

• May contain many subsections

• provide information for tasks such as sample selection and size, collection method, instrumentation, procedures, ethical requirements

Data Analysis

• Describe the proposed treatment and the theoretical basis for using the selected techniques.

Schedule

• Include the major phases of the project

• exploratory studies, data analysis, report generation

• Critical Path Method (CPM) of scheduling may help

Facilities and Special Resources

• Access to special systems or computers

• specialized computer algorithms

Deliverables

• Measurement instruments

• computer program

• other technical reports

Weaknesses in Research Proposals

• Research Problem–unfocused

–unimportant (done before!)

–more complex

–limited relevance

Weaknesses in Research Proposals

• Research Design–so vague it prevents evaluation

–inappropriate or impossible data

–procedures inappropriate for problem

–lacking controls

Weaknesses in Research Proposals

• Investigator–inexperienced

–unfamiliar with relevant literature

–not enough time to devote to project

Weaknesses in Research Proposals

• Resources–institutional setting is

unfavorable

–no equipment, (unrealistic)

A Sample Research Proposal

• Read (study) the sample proposal, pages 139-142, in Practical Research

A Sample Research Proposal

• Fill in the critique on page 287 and 288 for this proposal. Since it was made for the REPORT, simply change the tense for most questions.

• Is the sample size adequate? ->• Will the sample size be adequate

• For questions which clearly need the final report skip (step 9, the first question)

Preparation

• Condensing a complex body of information

• 20 minute presentation

• speaking rates should not exceed 100 to 150 words per minute

• about 2000 to 2500 words

Types of Presentations

• memorized speech

• read from manuscript

• EXTEMPORANEOUS

Extemporaneous Presentation

• Audience centered

• made from minimal notes or outline

• place title and preliminary remarks on the first card

• use each remaining card to carry a major section

Extemporaneous Presentation

• include key phrases, illustrations, statistics, dates and pronunciation guides for difficult words

• along the margin, place instructions, cues, such as SLOW, EMPHASIZE, TURN CHART, GO BACK TO CHART 3

Speaker Problems

• Too soft, too fast

• do not let your words trail off as you complete a sentence

• do not “uhs”, “you know”

• no rocking

• no eye contact

• no fiddling with clothes

Title Page

• Title of Research

• the date

• for whom and by whom it was prepared

Selecting a Title

• Brief

• include the variables included in the study

• the type of relationship among the variables

• the population to which the results may be applied

• Avoid … Report of, Discussion of, single-word titles

Outline

• Provide one

• tell the audience where you are taking them

• note the difference in the two introductions on page 142, 143 of Writing for Computer Science

Major Parts

• Opening

• Background

• Design

• Schedule

• Deliverables

Opening

• About 10% of the time

• direct, set the stage,

• explain the nature of the project, what it attempts to do (goal)

Background

• Remember the audience may be unfamiliar with the area, so basic concepts are necessary

Design

• Study data

• analysis

Schedule

• Only the important steps

• just don’t repeat dates

Deliverables

• What do we get out this study?

Ending

• End the talk cleanly, just do not fade away

• a bad ending is : that’s it, that’s all I have say.

• Wrap up the talk with a positive spin

Question Time

• Try to anticipate questions

• Respond positively and honestly to all questions

• don’t try to bluff

• no one knows all the answers

• never be rude