Scientific Methodology in Computer Science, Fall 2009

Scientific Methodology in Computer Science (5 ECTS), J175914

Course description

Introduction to scientific research: experimental, quasi-experimental, quantitative, qualitative. Exploration to various research approaches and methods in Computer Science. Discussion about ethical aspects of research designs. Writing scientific reports.

Objectives of the course

After completing the course, the students are

familiar with a scientific research process
aware of different research methodology in Computer Science
capable of identifying assumptions, constraints, limitations and premises of different research approaches and methods
able to understand that same methods cannot be used within the whole research field of Computer Science
able to link the knowledge acquired during the course to their own MSc. thesis/PhD research
aware of the ethical aspects of research designs

Course audience

The Scientific Methodology -course is an advanced level Computer Science course. The course is specifically aimed to following student groups:

CIMET students
students studying in the IT teacher/Educational Technology master degree studies (see the note in the end of the page)
any other Computer Science students who wish to include the course as a part of the selective studies in Computer Science

Lectures and exercises

Teachers: Jorma Sajaniemi, Jarkko Suhonen and Eeva Nygren

Schedule: 28 h, starting from Monday, September 7, 2009, 14-16, room 2D106
Mondays 14-16, room 2D106 (lecture)
Fridays 8-10, room 2D106 (exercise session)

Course exam will be held Friday, October 23, 2009, at 8-10, room 2D106

In Monday's lecture, an introductory lesson to the theme of the week is given. After the lecture, students receive the weekly exercises. If students want to collect points (see evaluation part below) from the weekly exercises, they need to return answers to the exercises (written with some word processor, e.g., MS Word, and printed on paper) at the begining of Friday's exercise session. During the session, execrises and answers will be discussed and processed.

Course outline

0. Introduction to the Course	Suhonen, Sajaniemi	week 37	Lecture notes	-
1. Introduction to Scientific Research	Sajaniemi	week 37	Lecture notes	Exercises
2. Quantitative Research Methods	Sajaniemi	week 38	Lecture notes	Exercises
3. Introduction to Qualitative and Mixed Method Research	Suhonen	week 39	Lecture notes (PDF)	Exercises (PDF)
4. Qualitative Research Methods	Suhonen	week 40	Lecture notes (PDF)	Exercises (PDF)
4. Family of Design and Development Research Methods, Constructive Research	Suhonen	week 41	Lecture notes (PDF)	Exercises (PDF)
5. Ethics in Research	Nygren	week 42	Lecture notes (PDF)	Exercises (PDF)
6. Writing Scientific Reports	Sajaniemi	week 43	Lecture notes	-

Evaluation

The course will be graded by using the scale of 0-5.
The course grade will be calculated from the course points collected during the course. The course points are calculated from a sum of exercise points and exam points.

course exercises: maximum of 18 points
exam: maximum of 15 points
total course points: maximum of 33 points

You are also able to pass the course via the final exam. In this case, the course grade will be calculated solely based on the results of the exam. The first final date is Friday, November 6, 12-16 (the exam is done in the general exam session). Please sign up for the final exam by using the Weboodi. The final exam dates in Spring will be announced later. You can take the final exam without participating to the exercise sessions during the course. It is also possible to upgrade the course grade by taking the final exam.

Results

The exercise and exam poinst are now availble in the intra pages of the department.

General exam

It is possible to take the final exam of the coures in the following general exam dates. Please sign up for the final exam by using the Weboodi,

group 3, March 26, 2010
group 6, June 11, 2010

Notes from the lecturers

Note from Jarkko: students in the IT teacher and Educational Technology master studies are able to use the Scientific Methdology course to complete the mandatory Reseach methods in educational informatics -course. The requirement is to pass this course and then continue in the second period with additional activities and exercises.
Note from Saja: The Scientific Methdology -course is a good preparation course to the Kognitiivisten ilmiöiden tutkimusmenetelmät (175423, 5 op / 3 ov) -course lectured in the second period.

Additional information

Jarkko Suhonen firstname.lastname@cs.joensuu.fi

Last updated: September 10, 2009