MSc Computer Science with Emerging Technologies

Lecture 3

Research Process Models

Research Methodologies
by Dr Vinaye Armoogum
Professor

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 Learning Topics

This lecture will cover

1. Research process

2. Research process models

3. Examples of state-of-the-art research work using computing

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models
➢ Sequential
➢ Generalized
➢ Circulatory
➢ Evolutionary
• Research activity should not be performed as and when you
feel like it, but it should follow a recognised process.
• All definitions agree that research involves a systematic or
methodical process
• Dawson (2005) and Blaxter et al. (2006: 8–9) identify the above
four common views of the research process. 3
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Sequential
• Research process as a Series of activities Performed one
after another (sequentially) in a fixed, linear series of
stages
Example:
• A simple research process model is defined by Greenfield (1996).
• Greenfield breaks the research process into four steps:
1. Review the field – i.e., perform a literature survey.
2. Build a theory – based on your understanding and interpretations of the field.
3. Test the theory – does it work?
4. Reflect and integrate – i.e., update your ideas based on your ‘tests’ and contribute
your new found knowledge to others. 4
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Sequential
• Another example of such a process (perhaps more explicit)
is the systematic process model of Sharp et al. (2002: 17).
• This process consists of seven unique, sequential steps:
1. Identify the broad area of study.
2. Select a research topic.
3. Decide on an approach.
4. Plan how you will perform the research.
5. Gather data and information.
6. Analyse and interpret these data.
7. Present the results and findings. 5
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Sequential
Sharp et al. (2002: 17). Greenfield (1996):
1. Identify the broad area of study. 1. Review the field
2. Build a theory
2. Select a research topic.
3. Test the theory
3. Decide on an approach. 4. Reflect and integrate
4. Plan how you will perform the research.
5. Gather data and information. What problems with the
6. Analyse and interpret these data. sequential (and generalised)
7. Present the results and findings. process models?

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Sequential
Sharp et al. (2002: 17). Greenfield (1996):
1. Identify the broad area of study. 1. Review the field
2. Build a theory
2. Select a research topic.
3. Test the theory
3. Decide on an approach. 4. Reflect and integrate
4. Plan how you will perform the research.
5. Gather data and information. 1. Stages not subject specific
6. Analyse and interpret these data. 2. No repetition or cycles
7. Present the results and findings. 3. Starting point and order fixed

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Generalized
• The generalized research process is identical to the sequential
process in that a defined sequence of activities is performed one
after the other.
• The generalized model recognizes that not all stages are applicable
and some steps may require performing in different ways
depending on the nature of the research and subject.

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Generalized
• Example:
➢ Data gathering and data analysis play no role for research in
pure mathematics and parts of computer science.
• Instead researchers make assumptions which they prove
mathematically
• The generalized model identifies alternative routes that may be
taken at different stages depending on the nature and outcomes of
the research.
• But each route is still sequential 9
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Generalized

Problems with the generalized process model:

• No repetition or cycles
• Starting point and order fixed

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Circularized
• The circulatory approach recognises that any research is really only part
of a continuous cycle of discovery and investigation.
• Quite often, research will uncover more questions than it answers.
• Experiences of research might lead you to revisit or go back to earlier
stages of your work (Blaxter et al.,2006: 9)
• The circulatory interpretation also permits the research process to be
joined at any point and recognises that the process is never-ending.
• Examples of a circulatory process are Rudestam and Newton’s Research
Wheel (2007) and Wallace’s Wheel of Science (1971) used by Eikebrokk
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& Busch (2016).
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Circularized

Rudestam and Newton’s Research Wheel (2007) Wallace’s Wheel of Science (1971)
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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
• The Evolutionary concept takes the circulatory interpretation one step
further and recognizes that research must evolve and change over time,
not necessarily following a defined circulatory pattern or repeating the
same forms of analysis and interpretation that were performed before.
• The outcomes of each evolution impact on later ones to a greater or
lesser extent.

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
• Orna and Stevens (1995: 11) define a process that is circulatory at
the top level and evolutionary within the main investigation stage
of the process.
• They attempt to answer the following questions:
➢ ‘What am I looking for?’
➢ ‘Why am I looking for it?’
➢ ‘How shall I set about it?’
➢ ‘Where shall I start looking?’
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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
In other words, this model recognises that research (methods) itself evolve
and change over time, that is, over time our concept of
• ‘What research questions are admissible?’
• ‘What extend and methods of data collection are possible, necessary,
ethical, or reliable?’
• ‘What methods are data analysis are available?’
• ‘What constitutes sufficient evidence for a hypothesis?’
• ‘What we mean by a systematic approach to research changes?’

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
A typical example of a work conducted by
Tsatsou (2016) using an evolutionary
research process model

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
As an example, we can consider research in mathematics, in particular, its use of
computers
• With respect to mathematical proofs we can make the following distinctions:
1. Proofs created solely by humans
➢ typically ‘sketchy’, omitting steps that are considered ‘obvious’
2. Computer-aided mathematical proofs
➢ Structure and deductive steps still provided by humans, but certain
computations are delegated to a computer
3. Fully formal, computer generated and validated proofs
➢ Every step of a proof is conducted and validated by a computer, possibly
under guidance by humans 17
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
Example 1: Computer-aided mathematical proofs
Four colour theorem
Any planar map can be coloured with at most four colours in a way that no
two regions with the same colour share a border.

Doubt in graph theories

• Why any map can always be colored with
four colors and not five or six?
• From the world map, it can be seen that only
four colors are needed to fill the different
countries and regions. 18
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
Example 1: Computer-aided mathematical proofs
Four colour theorem (answer)
What relationship between a map and the four color theorem?
• There are some simple rules where two countries that are side by
side cannot share a color and
• Also if two nodes are not connected, they can remain to have the
same color.
• When there is a boundary between two countries, there must be a
different color representing these areas.
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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary

Example 1: Computer-aided mathematical proofs

Four colour theorem
• Conjectured in 1852 by Guthrie. Proved in 1976 by Appel and Haken.
Proof involves a case analysis of about 10,000 cases for which the help
of a computer was used
• Proof seems generally accepted, but not by all Mathematicians

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
Example 2: Computer-aided mathematical proofs
Sphere packing theorem
Close packing is the densest possible sphere packing.
What is Sphere packing?
• In geometry, a sphere packing is an arrangement of non-overlapping spheres within a
containing space.
• The spheres considered are usually all of identical size, and the space is usually three-
dimensional Euclidean space.
• A typical sphere packing problem is to find an arrangement in which the spheres fill
as much of the space as possible. The proportion of space filled by the spheres is
called the density of the arrangement 21
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
Example 2: Computer-aided mathematical proofs
Sphere packing theorem
Close packing is the densest possible sphere packing.

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Apollonian sphere packing
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models: Evolutionary
Example 2: Computer-aided mathematical proofs
Sphere packing theorem
Close packing is the densest possible sphere packing.
• Conjectured in 1611 by Kepler. Hales published a proof plan in (1997).
Execution of the plan involved solving about 100,000 linear optimisation
problems using a computer.
• The computer files for the related programs and data require more than 3GB
of space
• At one point it was suggested that the proof will be published with a
disclaimer, saying that it is impossible for a human to check its correctness 23
 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
Research Process models
• Among the four common views of the research process the evolutionary
research process model best describes the ‘real’ research process

• While the evolutionary research process model allows for the ‘rules of
the game’ to change over time, this does not imply there are not any
rules

• For a young researcher it is best to follow the current established

research process

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 Research Process Models
in Computer Science
The Real Research Process model can be as below.

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 Homework – Discussion in the next session
You are an expert in a field at your work place. Being a
research student, you are also conducting research in this
field. Think about a possible research work that can be done
at your place of work.

Deduce the best path way to complete the research work,

defining the different processes and steps.

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