Research methodology in Computer Science

WHAT IS RESEARCH? Research is a logical and systematic search for new and useful information on a particular topic. It is an investigation of finding solutions to scientific and social problems through objective and systematic analysis. It is a search for knowledge, that is, a discovery of hidden truths. Here knowledge means information about matters. The information might be collected from different sources like experience, human beings, books, journals, nature, etc. A research can lead to new contributions to the existing knowledge. Only through research is it possible to make progress in a field. Research is done with the help of study, experiment, observation, analysis, comparison and reasoning. Research is in fact ubiquitous. The prime objectives of research are (1) to discover new facts. (2) to verify and test important facts. (3) to analyse an event or process or phenomenon to identify the cause and effect relationship. (4) to develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories to solve and understand scientific and non scientific problems. (5) to find solutions to scientific, non scientific and social problems and (6) to overcome or solve the problems occurring in our every day life.

Importance of Research
Research is important both in scientific and non scientific fields. In our life new problems, events, phenomena and processes occur every day. Practically, implementable solutions and suggestions are required for tackling new problems that arise. Some important avenues of research are: (1) A research problem refers to a difficulty which a researcher or a scientific community or an industry or a government organization or a society experiences. It may be a theoretical or a practical situation. It calls for a thorough understanding and possible solution.

(2) Research on existing theories and concepts help us identify the range and applications of them. (3) It is the fountain of knowledge and provide guidelines for solving problems. (4) Research provides basis for many government policies. For example, research on the needs and desires of the people and on the availability of revenues to meet the needs helps a government to prepare a budget. (5) It is important in industry and business for higher gain and productivity and to improve the quality of products. (6) Mathematical and logical research on business and industry optimizes the problems in them. (7) It leads to the identification and characterization of new materials, new living things, new stars, etc. (8) Only through research inventions can be made; for example, new and novel phenomena and processes such as superconductivity and cloning have been discovered only through research. (9) Social research helps find answers to social problems. They explain social phenomena and seek solution to social problems. (10) Research leads to a new style of life and makes it delightful and glorious.

RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methods are the various procedures, schemes and algorithms used in research.All the methods used by a researcher during a research study are termed as research methods . They are essentially planned, scientific and value-neutral. They include theoretical procedures, experimental studies, numerical schemes, statistical approaches, etc. Research methods help us collect samples, data and find a solution to a problem. Particularly, scientific research methods call for

explanations based on collected facts, measurements and observations and not on reasoning alone. They accept only those explanations which can be verified by experiments. Research methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem. It is a science of studying how research is to be carried out. Essentially, the procedures by which researchers go about their work of describing, explaining and predicting phenomena are called research methodology. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is gained. Its aim is to give the work plan of research.

Stages In research

Computer Science Research There are several methods that can be used in CS and IS: Experimental Method Experimental shows the experiments that will occur in order extract results from real world implementations. Experiments can test the veracity of theories. This method within CS is used in several different fields like artificial neural networks, automating theorem proving, natural languages, analyzing performances and behaviours, etc. It is important to restate that all the experiments and results should be reproducible. Concerning, for example, network environments with several connection resources and users, the experiments are an important methodology Also in CS fields and especially IS fields that take in consideration the Human Computer Interaction. It is mandatory the usage of experimental approaches. If we use the experimental method in IS field we may need to use some methods or tools in conjunction with the experimental method. These methods or tools used to support and prove the legibility of the developed project. Simulation Method Simulation method used especially in CS because it offers the possibility to investigate systems or regimes that are outside of the experimental domain or the systems that is under invention or construction. Normally complex phenomena that cannot be implemented in laboratories evolution of the universe. Some domains that adopt computer simulation methodologies are sciences such as astronomy, physics or economics; other areas more specialized such as the study of non-linear systems, virtual reality or artificial life also exploit these methodologies. A lot of projects can use the simulation methods, like the study of a new developed network protocol. To test this protocol you have to build a huge network with a lot of expensive network tools, but this network can't be easily achieved. For this reason we can use the simulation method. Theoretical Method The theoretical approaches to CS are based on the classical methodology since they are related to logic and mathematics. Some ideas are the existence of conceptual and formal models (data models and algorithms). Since theoretical CS inherits its bases from logic and mathematics, some of the main techniques when dealing with problems are iteration, recursion and induction. Theory is important to build methodologies, to develop logic and semantic models and to reason about the programs in order to prove their correctness. Theoretical CS is dedicated to the design and algorithm analysis in order to find

solutions or better solutions (performance issues, for example). Encompassing all fields in CS, the theoretical methodologies also tries to define the limits of computation and the computational paradigm. In other words we can say that we can use the theoretical method to model a new system. However the theoretical method can help in finding new mathematical models or theories, but this method still needs other methods to prove the efficiency of the new models or theories. For example when a student need to develop a new classifier in AI by using the mathematical representation and theoretical method, he need to prove the efficiency of this model by using one of the previous methods. Computer Science research

Hypothesis

Algorithm An algorithm is a tool for solving some well-specified computational problem. An algorithm is a well-defined computational procedure that takes some value(s) as input and produces some value(s) as output. Its importance in CS research

Literature Search

Technical Writing Writing should be part of the research process.

Refereeing

Ethics