Overview
Computer Science 494: Research Methods introduces students to the systematic investigation that attempts to establish facts on a scientific basis. The investigation involves discovery, interpretation, development, and execution of methods that are generic in nature, yet highly applicable to research in computing and information systems.
Topics covered include review of a published article, literature review, identifying a research problem, sampling, measurement, reliability, validity, data collection, statistics, mining, simulation, optimization, graphical modeling, research ethics, survey research, correlational research, experimental research, research methods specific to information sciences, action research, research management, and qualitative research.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- formulate research hypotheses.
- review, compare, and contrast research outcomes.
- discriminate between different degrees of quality traits of a research article.
- examine statistical methods to conduct data analysis and inference.
- select computational techniques from information sciences for data analysis and inference.
- associate different types of research to computational problems in various domains.
- recommend research management techniques.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 494, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). There are three assessments: two assignments and one final examination. To pass this course, you must also score at least 50 percent on each of the two assignments and at least 50 percent on the final examination.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 (units 1–6) | 25% |
| Assignment 2 (units 7–12) | 25% |
| Final examination (with open notes) | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.