NWI-IBI007
Research Methods 1
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-IBI007
Credits (ECTS)3
CategoryBA (Bachelor)
Language of instructionDutch, English
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Informatica en Informatiekunde;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator		prof. dr. M.A. Larson
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course		prof. dr. M.A. Larson
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer		prof. dr. M.A. Larson
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer		dr. B. Smelik
Other course modules lecturer
Coordinator		dr. B. Smelik
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2017
Period
KW1  (04/09/2017 to 12/11/2017)
Starting block
KW1/  KW4
Course mode
full-time
Remark
For third year Bachelor and premaster students Computing Science
RemarksThis course is taught twice in 2017; see the prospectus. In Q4, the language of instruction will be English.
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
After the course, you will be able to:
  • Enumerate professional criteria for the designing and carrying out research; put these criteria to use in practical research situations; reflect critically on research results and research publications.
  • Formulate research questions.
  • Carry out literature search using professional tools, and create an inventory of related work.
  • Apply frequently used methods for gathering data (both qualitative and quantitative); determine in which situations the methods are applicable, and avoid common traps.
  • Set up a research plan following a professional format.
  • Defend the approach that you have decided upon in front of fellow researchers.
  • Advise research colleagues, and provide them with feedback.
Content
The course is about planning and carrying out research. The concept of `research’ is interpreted broadly, and includes:
  • Identifying, analyzing, and solving problems
  • using precisely formulated research questions
  • that are addressed with the appropriate methods
  • so that the research results are reliable and valid.

Questions covered include: What is scientific research? How can you formulate an intangible problem into a good research question? How does the scientific world work?

The course includes critical examination of examples of research, and on how research is reported in the media.

You will learn to create your own research study. You will also master the application of common research methods, with a special emphasis on methods that are not frequently covered in other courses, namely methods for carrying out user studies, human subject research, and for handling stakeholders.
Assumed previous knowledge
You must be able to:
- Speak, read, understand, and write English (US or UK spelling acceptable).
- Formulate information and ideas in a clear fashion, both in written in oral form.

Literature
Oates, B. J. (2006). Researching information systems and computing. Los Angeles etc.: Sage. ISBN 9781412902243.

Daniel J. Levitin. Weaponized Lies: How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era. Reprint Edition, Dutton, 2017. ISBN 978-1101983829.

Teaching formats
• 16 hours lecture
• 16 hours work sessions
• 52 hours independent work

You learn the methodological aspects of research by way of interactive lectures providing multiple examples. The literature supports but does not replace the lectures. During the course you create a research plan and carry out assignments related to this plan. Participation in the work sessions requires preparation: during the work sessions students will give feedback to each other, and thereby practice the skill of giving and receiving scientific feedback in a professional and productive manner (peer review).

Additional comments
This course is offered twice in the Academic Year 2017-2018. In the first quarter, the course is intended for third year Computer Science students and pre-master students (course language: Dutch). In the fourth quarter, the course is intended for the second year Computer Science students (course language: English).

Topics
• Introduction: The nature of scientific research and the research process.
• Research design: strategies and methods, research questions, elements of a research plan, professional standards.
• Science: the scientific world, the mores of scientific research, publication, literature search, library, and the philosophy of science.
• Research strategies: surveys, design and creation, experiments, case studies.
• Data generation methods: interviews, observations, questionnaires, and documents
• Operationalization: variables, unit of analysis, level of measurement, indicators, sampling frame, selection of unit of analysis, forms of validity, causal connections.

Test information
Performance in this course is assessed on the basis of the research plan developed during the course, and on a written test on research methodology. Additionally, note that it is mandatory to have participated in the feedback process (‘peer review’) in order to successfully complete the course.

Prerequisites
You must be able to:
• Speak, read, understand, and write English (US or UK spelling acceptable).
• Formulate information and ideas in a clear fashion, both in written in oral form.

Required materials
Book
Oates, B. J. (2006). Researching information systems and computing. Los Angeles etc.: Sage.
ISBN:9781412902243
Book
Daniel J. Levitin. Weaponized Lies: How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era. Reprint Edition, Dutton, 2017.
ISBN:9781101983829

Instructional modes
Course occurrence

Lecture

General
You learn the methodological aspects of research by way of interactive lectures providing multiple examples. The literature supports but does not replace the lectures. During the course you create a research plan and carry out assignments related to this plan. Participation in the work sessions requires preparation: during the work sessions students will give feedback to each other, and thereby practice the skill of giving and receiving scientific feedback in a professional and productive manner

Tutorial

Zelfstudie

Tests
Tentamen
Test weight1
OpportunitiesBlock KW1, Block KW2