Information Technology Research — A Practical Guide for Computer Science and Informatics

Olivier

2004

Citation information

Abstract

Information Technology Research — A Practical Guide for Computer Science and Informatics is targeted at senior students in any of the many branches of Information Technology — including Computer Science, Informatics and Information Systems. It is intended to introduce the students to the operation of the research process in these subjects to an extent that will enable them to identify, observe and master the methods used in their particular fields of speciality. Students who need such guidance are, primarily, those embarking on a study towards a research-based qualification (such as Masters and Doctoral degrees) and those who are busy with a formal research methods course to prepare them for such research.

The premise of the book is that one learns to do research by studying existing research reports (such as journal and conference papers, dissertations and theses). The book is intended to act as a guide for the student during this process: It highlights the essential aspects of various facets of the research process (including the logic of various research methods, writing of proposals and reports, the use of statistics, and so on). The exercises at the end of chapters are, firstly, intended to encourage students to learn from published reports. Exercises are also intended to stimulate students to think about applying each method to a research problem of their own. Finally, exercises point students to related topics that have not been covered in the chapter.

The first edition of the book was published by the author and used successfully at a number of universities and technikons. The second edition contains new material on research ethics, the research process and quantitative methods.

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