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IT RESEARCH PROJECT 1

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course primarily deals with the systematic and objective analysis
and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of
the generalization, principle, or theories.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the semester, the students are expected to:

1. General Objectives
1.1 Compose a well documented information technology research
project proposal
1.2 Develop an effective and efficient system / software related to the
students research
1.3 Appreciate the significance of information technology research
1.4 Develop the students self-confidence towards their professional life.

2. Specific Objectives
2.1 Bolster the students basic skills in reading, writing, information
gathering and presentation
2.2 Solve a problem
2.3 Make a decision
2.4 Develop a new program, product, method or procedure
2.5 Evaluate a program, product, method or procedure.

What is a Research?

Research is the manner in which we solve knotty problems in our attempt to
push back the frontiers of human ignorance.

Research is a way of thinking.

Characteristics of Research

Research begins with a question in mind of the researcher.
Research demands the identification of a problem, stated in a clear,
unambiguous terms.
Research requires a plan.
Research deals with the main problem through appropriate subproblems.
Research deals with facts and their meaning.
Research is circular.




Where do I start?

Basic or Pure research acquisition of knowledge or formulating a theory
and not necessarily practical application

- understanding the factors that influence human performance in man-machine
systems.

- performed in well controlled and artificial situation.

Applied research more concerned with finding answers to practical
problems than theory development.

8 Steps in Preparing a Research Paper

1. Choose your topic.
2. Find background information in reference sources
3. Refine your topic
4. Find books on your topic
5. Find current information on your topic
6. Evaluate what you have found
7. Write your paper
8. Cite your sources

How to Find a Topic (1)?

Talk to your instructor.

Talk to a reference librarian.

Scan your textbook(s) and any other required or suggested readings.


Finding a Problem

In general, scientific problems fall into 3 distinct categories:

Filling a gap in existing research.

Resolving contradictory experimental results.

Explaining the occurrence of an unexplained fact.




How do you know whether or not your topic is a good one?

General Rules

If possible, choose a topic that interests you.
Be sure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow for the assignment you
have been given.
Choose a topic about which there is likely to be information available in the
library and/or on the Internet.
If you are selecting your own topic (rather than choosing from a list provided
by your instructor) make sure your instructor approves your topic before you
start your research.


Abstract

Give the research problem and/or main objective of the research (this usually
comes first).
Implications of your research
Must be short, because it should give a summary of your research
Must almost always be a certain, specified length (200 words)
Abstracts that exceed the maximum word limit are often rejected because they
cannot be used for databases, summaries of conferences, etc.
Re-establish the topic of the research.
Indicate the methodology used.
Present the main findings.
Present the main conclusions

COMMON PROBLEMS
Too long. If your abstract is too long, it may be rejected - abstracts are entered on
databases, and those is usually a specified maximum number of words. Abstracts
are often too long because people forget to count their words (remember that you
can use your word processing program to do this) and make their abstracts too
detailed (see below).
Too much detail. Abstracts that are too long often have unnecessary details. The
abstract is not the place for detailed explanations of methodology or for details
about the context of your research problem because you simply do not have the
space to present anything but the main points of your research.
Too short. Shorter is not necessarily better. If your word limit is 200 but you only
write 95 words, you probably have not written in sufficient detail. You should
review your abstract and see where you could usefully give more explanation -
remember that in many cases readers decide whether to read the rest of your
research from looking at the abstract. Many writers do not give sufficient
information about their findings
Failure to include important information. You need to be careful to cover the
points listed above. Often people do not cover all of them because they spend too
long explaining, for example, the methodology and then do not have enough
space to present their conclusion.
ABSTRACTS AND INTRODUCTIONS COMPARED
At first glance, it might seem that the introduction and the abstract are very similar
because they both present the research problem and objectives as well as briefly
reviewing methodology, main findings and main conclusions. However, there are
important differences between the two:
Introduction
Should be short, but does not have a word limit;
Main purpose is to introduce the research by presenting its context or background.
Introductions usually go from general to specific, introducing the research
problem and how it will be investigated).
Abstract
Has a maximum word limit;
Is a summary of the whole research;
Main purpose is to summarize the research (particularly the objective and the
main finding/conclusion), NOT to introduce the research area.



"It's too hard!" Ballplayer to Coach in A League of Their Own.

"It's supposed to be hard...otherwise everyone would be doing it." Coach (played by Tom
Hanks).

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the
investigation of matter. The primary aim for applied research is discovering, interpreting,
and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge
on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe. Research can use
the scientific method, but need not do so.

Basic research (also called fundamental or pure research) has as its primary objective the
advancement of knowledge and the theoretical understanding of the relations among
variables. It is exploratory and often driven by the researchers curiosity, interest, and
intuition. It is conducted without any practical end in mind, although it may have
unexpected results pointing to practical applications. The terms basic or fundamental
indicate that, through theory generation, basic research provides the foundation for
further, sometimes applied research. As there is no guarantee of short-term practical gain,
researchers may find it difficult to obtain funding for basic research. Research is a subset
of invention.

A research proposal is similar in a number of ways to a project proposal; however, a research proposal
addresses a particular project: academic or scientific research. The forms and procedures for such research
are well defined by the field of study, so guidelines for research proposals are generally more exacting than
less formal project proposals. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews and must offer
convincing support of need for the research study being proposed. Doctoral dissertations begin with
research proposal; the proposal must be accepted by a panel of experts before the actual research can begin
CHOOSING A TOPIC
1. Independent research (where you choose the topic) is more challenging than being
assigned a given topic; however, it should also be more rewarding.
2. Choosing a topic that is interesting to you but also of more general interest as well
as "do-able" is a key part of the overall assignment.
3. The topic must be interesting and meaningful to the student and his/her advisor,
and there must be adequate resources available to perform the work.
4. The resources that are needed include intellectual resources, financial resources,
laboratory/library/computing resources, and time; the project must be something
that can be accomplished within the time constraints available to the student.

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