CSM04 Business Communication

1
CSM04 Business Communication
ProfessionalismLectures on Research Study
Khurshid Ahmad Professor of Artificial
Intelligence September 25, 2003

• 1

2
PREAMBLE

• RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING
• Ours is decidedly a new kind of discipline one
  in which, for example, theory is not concerned
  with explaining extant physical phenomena, and
  experimentation is not necessarily concerned with
  testing whether theory predicts reality.
• Viewing computer science through the lens of
  traditional academic disciplines can lead to
  misconceptions of what is important and of how
  research in computer science is done, even though
  aspects of computer science can be traced to the
  natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
• International Review of Research in Computer
  Science in the UK (2001)

3
PREAMBLE

• RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING
• Theoretical research in computer science
  concerns the power, limits, and costs of
  computation.
• A theorem might, for example, characterise a
  class of problems that cannot be computed by a
  digital computer, thereby making a statement not
  only about present-day hardware but also about
  any digital computing device that might ever be
  built or conceived.
• Theoreticians also derive bounds on the time or
  memory required by any program that solves
  problems from a given class (such as searching,
  sorting, or scheduling).

4
PREAMBLE

• RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING
• Sometimes the cost or intractability of a
  problem is reason for dismay sometimes not ---
  the premise of modern cryptography is that
  reversing certain methods of encryption would be
  intractable.
• Much of the work in theoretical computer science
  is mathematical in character. And formal logic is
  central. By definition, each step in a formal
  proof must be mechanisable, creating an intimate
  connection between proof and computation.
• The study of programming languages, like the
  study of logic, is concerned with the expressive
  power of formal notations, with correspondences
  between syntax (programs) and semantics (what
  they mean), and with the means by which texts in
  a formal language can be analysed (automatically
  or manually) in order to extract truths.

5
PREAMBLE

• RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING
• Experimental work plays a very different role in
  computer science research from the part it plays
  in the natural sciences.
• Rather than attempting to understand an existing
  reality, experiments in computer science are
  often intended to explore new approaches or
  abstractions.
• Here, a research prototype might be built,
  instrumented, deployed, and measured in order to
  evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
  something that the prototype embodies.

6
PREAMBLE

• RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING
• Experiments are pivotal in the natural sciences
  when they demonstrate aspects of reality that
  depart from what current theory predicts and thus
  defy our understanding in computer science, it
  is prototypes that launch paradigm shifts.
• Building a prototype might expose implicit
  assumptions,
• prevent key sub-problems from being ignored by
  its builders,
• or allow its users to discover synergies and
  unanticipated uses issues that would not be
  addressed if analytical techniques were applied
  to a paper design.
• Timeshared computing, the personal computer (with
  all its productivity-enhancing software), and the
  Internet itself, all started as experimental
  prototypes.

7
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH
• The act of searching (closely or carefully) for
  or after a specified thing or person
• A search or investigation directed to the
  discovery of some fact by careful consideration
  or study of a subject a course of critical or
  scientific inquiry.
• Without article Investigation, inquiry into
  things. Also, as a quality of persons, habitude
  of carrying out such investigation
• attrib. and Comb., as research assistant,
  building, bureau, council, degree, department,
  doctorate, fellow, fellowship, grant, lab,
  laboratory, library, officer, personnel, post,
  programme, project, room, scholarship, station,
  student, unit, vessel, work, worker
  research-minded

8
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH
• The act of searching (closely or carefully) for
  or after a specified thing or person
• A search or investigation directed to the
  discovery of some fact by careful consideration
  or study of a subject a course of critical or
  scientific inquiry.
• Without article Investigation, inquiry into
  things. Also, as a quality of persons, habitude
  of carrying out such investigation
• attrib. and Comb., as research assistant,
  building, bureau, council, degree, department,
  doctorate, fellow, fellowship, grant, lab,
  laboratory, library, officer, personnel, post,
  programme, project, room, scholarship, station,
  student, unit, vessel, work, worker
  research-minded

9
SOME DEFINITIONS

• METHOD
• Procedure for attaining an object.
• A special form of procedure adopted in any branch
  of mental activity, whether for the purpose of
  teaching and exposition, or for that of
  investigation and inquiry.
• In wider sense A way of doing anything, esp.
  according to a defined and regular plan a mode
  of procedure in any activity, business, etc
• In generalized use The methods of procedure in
  any department, considered as the object of a
  branch of study esp. with reference to teaching.
  
• Orderly arrangement of ideas and topics in
  thinking or writing orderliness and sequence of
  thought or expression. Phr. method in one's
  madness

10
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH PROJECT A process model
• Identify broad area
• Select Research Topic
• Decide the approach
• Formulate research plan
• Collect data or information
• Analyse and interpret data
• Present the findings.

11
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH PROJECTS Some Exemplars
• Evaluation of NHS Direct
• What is NHS Direct? ? A kind of expert system
• What is the big deal ? New method of delivering
  health care
• Who specified the requirements? ?
  Interviews/Research
• Who built the system?
• What of the end-user? ? on the phone through
  the Internet
• What of the future?
• HYPOTHESIS The role of the nurses in the
  delivery of health care in the context of NHS
  Direct

12
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH PROJECTS Some Exemplars
• Evaluation an Information System from a
  technological/user point of view
• Specify, design and build an Information System
• Evaluate the impact of a new method, or tool or
  technique for building information system
• Investigate the ethical and social consequences
  of the use of a computing system in a specific
  enterprise

13
SOME DEFINITIONS

• RESEARCH PROJECTS Some Exemplars
• There are a number of case studies available at
  the European Case Clearing House, Cranfield
  University Business School.
• Check the web-site and send a request to your
  tutor for obtaining ONE case study.
• You may check out other information sources.

14
SOME DEFINITIONS

• Stages of Research
• Form HYPOTHESIS
• Find EVIDENCE collected by others to support or
  negate the hypothesis
• COLLECT your own data CONSTRUCT your own models
  WRITE a program to process others/own data
• ANALYSE what others and you have done to
  support/negate your hypothesis
• CONCLUDE by indicating whether your hypothesis is
  valid or not what FURTHER WORK can be done.

15
OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Objectives
• To enable the students
• to understand what is involved in undertaking
  research projects in computing
• to articulate aims, objectives, methods,
  techniques and achievements of a research
  project.
• Learning Outcomes
• Skills for executing a research project from
  inception to delivery.

16
OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Stages and Process
• Hypothesis
• Literature Review
• Research Method
• Implementation/Testing
• Conclusion

17
CONTENTS

• The course is divided into four main topics
• Typology of research methods Case studies
  observational/field research survey research
  simulation and forecasting.
• Collecting, analysing and processing research
  data
• Writing-up Notes on scientific/technological
  writing
• Presenting research results audio-visual
  presentation.

18
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT WEIGHTING

• Research Methods Coursework 50
• The students, working in groups, are expected to
  conduct research in a specific area of computing
  within the context of a specific application
  area. The major coursework will be an individual
  project report of approximately 2500-3000 words.
  Each group is expected to give two 15 minute
  presentations, a project plan and an interim
  progress report.
• Project Plan (5)
• Interim Report (15) and A Press Release
• Project Report (30)

19
CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

• You are expected to work in groups largely made
  up of the tutorial group of your personal tutor
  there are a few exceptions
• You will write your own final report and press
  release
• You are expected to give joint presentations
• It is essential to elect a group co-ordinator for
  your group to arrange weekly meeting with your
  Research Methods Tutor etc.

20
CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

• Please observe the protocols of a group project
• Organise meetings of your group
• Allocate the research tasks to the various
  individuals in the group
• Assign deadlines and stick to them
• Keep the minutes of the group meeting attach
  the minutes with your
• Team spirit is important but please do not
  undertake to do the work of others.

21
CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

• REMEMBER
• PLAGARISM
• IS
• THEFT

22
EVALUATION

• Evaluation of a computing system may involve you
  making a hypothesis that
• The system is an instrument of progress
• The system is an instrument of progress but it
  must be controlled by those with appropriate
  skill and insight
• The system is an instrument of progress but it
  must recognise its imperfections of its use and
  work to improve and ameliorate them
• The system is value neutral with benefits and
  drawbacks for a given community. It must be made
  accountable and placed under some degree of
  control
• The system is out of control and a threat to a
  given community. We must question the real
  nature and power of this system
• (Source Cornford, Tony. Smithson, Steve.
  (1996). Project Research in Information Systems
  A Students Guide. HoundsmillsMacMillan Press
  Ltd.)

23
RESEARCH SUPERVISION

• You will have to make arrangements to see your
  Research Methods Tutor, on a weekly basis
  initially
• Dr Terry Hinton Peter Obemeata will
  co-ordinate the module.
• Your supervisor, together with co-ordinators
  will examine your reports, press release, and
  presentations.
• Ms Christine West will be available for advice on
  writing in her writing-support surgery.
• Mr Paolo Olivera will help you in obtaining case
  study materials relevant to your study and
  approved by your tutor.

24
CONDUCT of the RESEARCH PROJECT
Project Teams are given Reference Numbers Group
1 to Group 16 with 5 people per team. Please
use group reference numbers on your reports.
25
CONDUCT of the RESEARCH PROJECT
Project Teams and their Tutors together with
their Ref. Number will be posted on the web site
www.computing.surrey.ac.uk/courses/csm04
The schedule of Presentation meetings will be
posted on the above web site.
26
CONDUCT of the RESEARCH PROJECT

• Each team will make one presentation to 2 other
  groups and 2 or 3 members of staff
• Interim Presentation Key findings to date
  Feedback from other teams Tentative conclusions
  Hypothesis
• Groups will be asked to make a brief report on
  each group that they hear

27
RESOURCES

• Directories and gateways - which provide an entry
  point for resources collated specifically for a
  chosen area which you can search and browse.
• Article reference and abstracts databases - which
  provide searchable information about where you
  can find publications and articles in journals.
• Online journals and texts - where you can read
  publications and documents such as official and
  unofficial reports, essays, reviews, on-going
  debates and press articles.
• Library catalogues - which tell you about library
  holdings and help you locate specific books and
  published reports.
• Research and research resources information
  databases - which let you explore details of
  current research, types of software for research
  and data resources including statistical,
  qualitative and historical data.
• Professional organisations and governmental Web
  sites - which inform you about research and
  teaching profiles, conferences, policy, active
  research and membership. Universities and
  research sponsors, government and public bodies,
  professional associations and charities all tend
  to have Web sites.
• Software for research - sites where you can
  review, learn about or download software and
  tools for social research.
• Discussion lists and mailing lists - which
  provide a forum for sharing views, debates and
  promoting events or resources in a chosen area.
• Teaching and learning materials - where you can
  find lecture notes, reading lists, online
  tutorials and where you may be able to download
  interactive materials and software for
  teaching

28
CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

• End Lecture 1