Week 1 of IT research methods was a lecture by Dr Jose Kuzic on the nature of research. The lecture bounced between subjective opinions from experience in research and a a framework for conducting research questions.
- Formulating Questions
- Literature Analysis
- Case Studies
- Surveys
- Qualitative data analysis
- Quantitative data analysis
- Communication research
Also introduced were some research paradigms:
- Scientific research (positivist)
- Applied research (practical)
- Social research (interpretive)
I feel that being aware of these paradigms is valuable but self imposing mutual exclusivity or black and white generalization would be counter productive (ie: oh well that’s just a positivist view/ I can’t do that I am doing applied research). A more pragmatic approach of using whatever the best method for reaching outcomes to a posed question regardless of paradigm would be required for good research.
Details of Assignment 1 and 2 were also made available on moodle this week. Assignment 1, a literature review and presentation seems like it will be an enjoyable assignment that will allow some synergy with other subjects.