Technical writing is the presentation of information that helps the reader solve a particular problem. Technical communicators write, design, and/or edit proposals, manuals, web pages, lab reports, newsletters, and many other kinds of professional documents.

1. Lecture 7
Research Methods
(Technical Writing CS212)
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe
Taibah University
College of Computer Science & Engineering
Computer Science Department
Topic List 2
1. Definition of research
2. Research key-terms
3. Research process views
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2. Definition of Research
Research is an original investigation
undertaken in order to gain knowledge
and understanding (HEFCE)
Good researcher is the one who struggles
to find out what the right questions might
be.
Asking the right questions Original investigation
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Research Ideas
Where Do Ideas for Research
Originate? A research project is the
outgrowth of 4 factors:”
The Researcher
The Academic Environment
The Literature
The broader Culture
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3. Four Goals of Research/Four Research
Designs
1. Describe 1. Observational
2. Predict 2. Correlational
3. Understand 3. Experimental
4. Create Change 4. Quasi-
experimental
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Formulating a Research Question
The research question: a very
specific, narrowly focused question,
often a piece carved out of a bigger
topic.
Consult the literature to see what aspects
of the topic have already been
researched.
Carefully word the research question
to be precise and concise.
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4. Choosing a Research Design
The nature of the research question will
determine the type of research “design”
to use.
A research “design” is a plan for
answering a research question.
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Research Key-Terms
Research key-terms: knowledge, originality, and
contribution
Relation between the three research constituents:
Original investigation
Gaining knowledge Contribution into knowledge
may lead
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5. Knowledge
analyze
Data Information
what?
ability to practice
Knowledge Wisdom
how?
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Originality
Exploring the unknown
Exploring the unanticipated
The use of data
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6. Research Process Views
Sequential – a series of activities performed one after
another:
1. Select a research topic;
2. Decide on an approach;
3. Plan how you will perform the research;
4. Gather data and information;
5. Identify the broad area of study;
6. Analyze and interpret these data;
7. Present the results and findings;
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Research Process Views (cont…)
Generalized – identical to the sequential
process but not all stages are necessarily
applicable.
Circulatory – part of a continuous cycle of
discovery and investigation.
Evolutionary – research must evolve and
change over time, not necessarily following
a defined circulatory pattern or repeating the
same forms of analysis and interpretation.
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7. Reasoning Methods
Deductive reasoning – top-down approach
directed from the more general to the more
specific.
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Reasoning Methods (cont…)
Inductive reasoning – bottom-up approach
directed from the more specific to the more
general.
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8. A Theory
Theory is a set of ideas, formally
stated, that seeks to explain how
an aspect of nature works.
Research cannot prove a theory,
only support it. Why is this so?
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3 Functions of a Theory
Research findings then reflect back upon the
theory, supporting it or suggesting a need for
modification.
To EXPLAIN a phenomenon or aspect of
behavior.
To ORGANIZE existing knowledge about a
phenomenon.
To GENERATE HYPOTHESES
(PREDICTIONS) about a phenomenon, to
be tested through research.
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9. What is a “good” theory?
One that is…
Parsimonious
Clear & precise
Logical
Generates hypotheses for research
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Does All Research Test a Theory?
Not necessarily:
Most published research reports are
not tests of a particular theory.
Researchers do attempt to refer to
and include theories in their write-up.
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10. Predicting An Outcome
Not only does the researcher have to
commit to a very specific question,
he/she may have to commit to a
predicted outcome for your study.
This prediction is the research
hypothesis.
Research that is purely descriptive
doesn’t need to state an hypothesis.
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The Research Hypothesis
An hypothesis is a formal prediction
of the study’s outcome (what will be
found).
It is an educated guess, based one
or more of the following:
Particular Knowledge Area Theories
Researcher’s observations
Previous published research
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11. Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis
Proceeding to Test the Hypothesis
means answering the research
question
Concepts must be defined in terms
that are observable and measurable.
This function is achieved through
creating operational definitions for
the concepts.
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Operational Definitions
An operational definition transforms
an abstract concept into something
measurable, like scores on a test.
How many operational definitions
exist for a single concept?
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12. Variables
A variable is: an aspect of reality that
varies in its value or dimension – (either
naturally or because the researcher
caused it to vary.)
Concrete variables: language aspect,
duration (time) to finish the project,
number of the research group, etc.
Abstract variables: anxiety, motivation,
communication style
Operational definitions of concepts give
the researchers the variables for the
study.
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Two Types of Variables
Researchers work with variables in
2 different ways:
1. Variables can be measured.
2. Variables can be manipulated
(experimental designs only).
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13. Independent & Dependent Variables
Independent Variable: a variable
that is manipulated in an experiment to
provide participants with different
experiences. (Not all designs use
independent variables)
Dependent Variable: a variable that
is measured in an experiment in order
to see any effects of the independent
variable.
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Reference
Mohammad Alsuraihi, Technical
Writing, CS212 Course notes, Taibah
University, Madinah, KSA
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Teaching Notes,
College of Computer Science and
Engineering, Taibah University,
Madinah, KSA.
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