Overview
Research is a unique activity. It exacts testable insights from researchers and uses rigorous methods to reach validated proofs for those insights. At the same time, it is flexible about the selection of methods, the interpretation of results, and the type and scope of problems considered. “Every significant piece of research not only contributes to the evolution of the human knowledge frontier, the ’what’, but also enriches the process mechanisms underlying research, the ’how‘. 1 This course offers a broader scope on research methods, at the same time allowing students to study deeper on topics of interest.
1. Kumar, V. (2011). Book review: Process Guide for Students for Interdisciplinary Work in Computer Science/Informatics (2nd ed.) (Author: Andreas Holzinger). Educational Technology & Society, 14 (2), 287–288
Outline
Computer Science 695 comprises the eleven units listed below.
- Unit 0: Orientation
- Unit 1: What is Research? Research Problems, Hypotheses, and Literature Reviews
- Unit 2: Sampling, Measurement, Reliability, and Validity
- Unit 3: Data Collection, Statistics, and Statistical Analysis
- Unit 4: Mining, Simulation, Optimization, and Modeling
- Unit 5: Qualitative Research
- Unit 6: Survey Research
- Unit 7: Correlational Research
- Unit 8: Experimental Research
- Unit 9: Select Research Methods
- Unit 10: Action Research
- Unit 11: Research Plan
Objectives
This course is designed to
- describe aspects of knowledge presented in a research article and formulate opinions about its quality;
- define, and use in context, terms used in particular research methods;
- review and compare and research outcomes;
- formulate research hypotheses;
- select computational techniques from information sciences for data analysis and inference;
- associate different types of research to computational problems in various domains;
- analyze data using sampling and measurement techniques to infer reliability and validity;
- apply and assess data mining, simulation, and optimization techniques;
- formulate, apply, and assess survey research, correlational research, experimental research, and qualitative research;
- apply and assess research analysis techniques, including content analysis, computational complexity, discourse analysis, conversational analysis, and longitudinal data analysis, to information sciences.
Evaluation
In order to receive credit for COMP 695, you must achieve a cumulative course grade of "B-" (70 percent) or better, and must achieve an average grade of at least 60 percent on the assignments and achieve a grade of at least 60 percent on the Final Examination. Your cumulative course grade will be based on the following assessment.
Assignment 1 and 2 cover topices introduced in Unit 1 through 10. Assignment 3 is a peer-reviewed research plan.
| Activity | Weight |
| TME 1 | 15% |
| TME 2 | 15% |
| TME 3 | 50% |
| Final Take-home Assessment | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
There is no textbook for this course.
Registered students will access the course materials through Moodle. Additional supporting materials of interest to students may occasionally be made available electronically.
Special Course Features
COMP 695 is offered online, and can be completed at the student's work place or home. Students are required to have access to the Internet and equipment that meets the necessary specifications. It is a required course in the Master of Science specialization in Information Systems program.