week 1 Flashcards
Define research and explain the etymology of the term
Research is a systematic process aimed at generating new knowledge or validating the costing knowledge.
The term originates from the combination of re meaning again and search, implying a repeated effort to seek and discover knowledge or truth
What are the foundational components of research and why are they so important ?
• epistemology (study of knowledge) -addresses the origin and validation of the knowledge
• ontology (study of being) - ontology deals with the nature of reality
• axiology (study of values) - axiology considers the value system and ethical consideration of the research
• philosophy (truth)
They are essential as they establish the philosophical basis for research, guiding the approach , interpretation and ethical framework.
Difference between theoretical and empirical research and provide an example of each
theoretical research focuses on developing ideas and models based on existing g knowledge often without direct observation or experimentation. Example exploring philosophical frameworks
Empirical research relies on concrete evidence through observation or experiment to validate theories, such as clinical trials testing a new drug
describe two key differences between theoretical and empirical research in terms of data collection and focus
theoretical research is often conceptual, relying on existing data and assumptions without any data collection, whereas empirical research collects direct or indirect observation ma or experimental data.
Theoretical research focuses on explaining and predicting phenomena while empirical research test these theories to establish cause-and-effect relationships
Explain the deduction approach in research including the primary goal and methods used
The deductive approach stats with a theory and test it through data collection and analysis l, aiming to confirm or reject the hypothesis
Common methods include :
• survey
• experiment
• statistical analysis
what is primary goal of the inductive approach and which methods are commonly used to gather data in this approach
The inductive approach aims to develop a theory based on patterns observed in collection data
Common methods include :
• interviews
• focus groups
• observations
Define abductive approach and describe a scenario in which it would be particularly useful
Combines both deductive and induction approach, starts with a problem not fully understood and the researchers develops a theory or an explanation that accounts for the data
Compare quantitative and qualitative research focusing on their objectives and typical methods
Quantitative research seeks to measure and analyze variables statistically using methods like surveys, experiments and observational studies . Its objective is to identify patterns, relationships or casual effects.
Qualitative research aims to understand complex human experiences through rich data collection methods like interview, focus groups and ethnographical studies focusing on narrative and descriptive insights
Describe mixed-methods research and provide an example of a situation where it would be beneficial
It integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to prove a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem.
Can be beneficial in student research.
What distinguishes cross-sectional studies from longitudinal studies
It analyzes data at a single point in time to identify patterns or association across a population while longitudinal studies track the samar subjects over time, allowing for the examination of changes and trends.
CS provides a snapshot while Longitudinal reveal long-term developments
Explain the purpose and methodology of action research ?
Action research aims to solve practical issues collaboratively with stakeholders, aiming for immediate improvement.
What is axiology and why is it significant in the research process?
It is the study of values, addressing ethical considerations and biases in research. It is significant because it encourages researchers to confront their own biases, ensure integrity and respect all stakeholders thus upholding high ethical standards of the research
How can researchers minimize biases in their studies , particularly in empirical research
By adopting a structured methodology, ensuring a representative sample, using standardized procedures, employing multiple observes or data sources and acknowledging their biases openly .
Reflect on the relevance of ontology in computer science research. How does understanding ontology contribute to the organization and categorization of research areas?
Ontology helps in defining the relationships and categories within a specific domain, enabling the development structured frameworks or ontologies that organize knowledge systematically .
This understanding helps researcher map complex topics to broader research area, improving precision of information retrieval and understanding.
If you were to conduct a study on users behavior in social media using a mixed methods approach, describe the specific quantitative and qualitative methods you might use and explain why there are appropriate
A quantitative approach could be surveys to gather data on users demographics and interactions patterns, while qualitatively methods such as interview or focus groups could capture in-depth user motivations and experiences. This combination would provide both measurable data and personal insights, making it suitable for understanding complex user behavior.
