Course Overview:
This course provides postgraduate students in Computer Science with a comprehensive understanding of
research methodology. It covers essential concepts, techniques, and tools necessary for conducting
research in the field of computer science. Students will learn how to formulate research questions, design
experiments, analyze data, and communicate their findings effectively.
Course Objectives:
Understand the fundamental concepts and importance of research methodology in computer
science.
Formulate clear and researchable research questions.
Design and conduct research studies with appropriate methodologies.
Collect, analyze, and interpret research data using statistical and computational methods.
Communicate research findings effectively through academic writing and presentations.
Demonstrate ethical awareness and responsible conduct in research.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
Define research and its significance in computer science.
Identify different types of research methodologies and select appropriate ones for specific
research questions.
Develop a research design that includes data collection methods and ethical considerations.
Analyze research data using statistical software or programming languages.
Interpret research findings and draw valid conclusions.
Write and format research papers following academic conventions.
Prepare and deliver effective research presentations.
Navigate the peer-review process and revise research papers accordingly.
Understand the process of submitting research to conferences and journals.
Textbook:
1. Research Methods for Computer Science by Simon P. Jones, Springer
Additional Reference Books:
1. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, C.R. Kothari, New Age International
2. Statistics and Data Analysis for Computer Science, Joerg Blasius and Michael Greenacre, Springer
3. Writing for Computer Science, Justin Zobel, Springer
Unit 1:
Understanding Research Methodology: Introduction to research and its role in computer science,
Types of research methodologies, Formulating clear research questions.
Research Process and Critical Thinking: Steps in the research process, Developing critical thinking
skills for research, Evaluating research sources and literature reviews.
Unit 2
Research Design: Elements of research design, Research variables and hypotheses, Experimental and
non-experimental research designs.
Data Collection Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, Data collection plan
development
Unit 3
Data Analysis Techniques: Introduction to data analysis, Statistical analysis using software (e.g., R or
Python).
Drawing Conclusions and Implications: Interpreting research findings, Drawing valid conclusions,
Identifying limitations and future research directions.
Unit 4
Academic Writing: Academic writing conventions, Structure of a research paper, Citation and
referencing styles.
Research Presentations: Preparing effective research presentations, Visual aids and slide design,
Effective communication techniques.
Publishing and Ethical Considerations: The peer-review process, Revising research papers based on
reviewer feedback, Ethics in research and responsible conduct.