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Research Methods - Syllabus

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1. Course Description

This course introduces research methodologies in Information Technology and Management, emphasizing problem identification, literature review, research design, and data analysis. It covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, measurement techniques, and ethical considerations. Students gain practical skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and report writing, enabling them to conduct systematic, scientific, and innovative research in computing, software development, and information systems.

2. General Objectives

To develop knowledge and skills in conducting systematic, ethical, and scientific research in IT and management using appropriate methodologies and tools. The specific objectives are as follows:

  1. Understand fundamental concepts, types, and processes of research in IT and management.
  2. Develop skills in conducting literature reviews and applying theoretical frameworks.
  3. Identify research problems and formulate research questions and hypotheses effectively.
  4. Apply appropriate research designs, including experimental, qualitative, and design science approaches.
  5. Understand measurement, scaling, sampling techniques, and evaluation of validity and reliability.
  6. Utilize modern tools for data collection, preprocessing, visualization, and statistical analysis.
  7. Develop competencies in writing research proposals and technical reports following academic and ethical standards.

3. Details of Content

Specific ObjectivesContent
Unit I: Introduction to Research in IT and Management (8 hours)
  • Understand the meaning and process of research
  • Differentiate types of research in management and IT
  • Explain characteristics of scientific research
  • Analyze ethical issues in IT research

 

  1. Meaning and nature and process of research
  2. Types of research in management (Fundamentals, Applied, Inductive, deductive, quantitative, qualitative)
  3. Types of research in Information Technology (Applied, Experimental, Design Science (System-based) , Empirical Research)
  4. Characteristics of scientific research
  5. Research in computing and information systems
  6. Role of research in software development and innovation
  7. Ethical issues in IT research (data privacy, security, plagiarism)

 

Unit II: Literature Review and Theoretical Framework (5 hours)
  • Understand the purpose of literature review
  • Develop skills in searching academic databases
  • Evaluate and organize scholarly sources
  • Apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks

 

  1. Purpose of literature review and its types
  2. Steps in conducting literature review
  3. Searching academic databases (IEEE, ACM, Google Scholar)
  4. Evaluating digital sources
  5. Organizing and presenting literature
  6. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks in IT research
Unit III: Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation (4 hours)
  • Identify research problems in IT contexts
  • Formulate research questions
  • Develop testable hypotheses
  • Evaluate characteristics of a good hypothesis

 

  1. Problem identification in IT (software issues, system inefficiencies, user problems)
  2. Formulation of research questions
  3. Hypothesis formulation in computing research
  4. Characteristics of a good hypothesis
Unit III: Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation (4 hours)
  • Identify research problems in IT contexts
  • Formulate research questions
  • Develop testable hypotheses
  • Evaluate characteristics of a good hypothesis
  1. Problem identification in IT (software issues, system inefficiencies, user problems)
  2. Formulation of research questions
  3. Hypothesis formulation in computing research
  4. Characteristics of a good hypothesis
Unit IV: Research Design (10 hours)
  • Understand research design concepts and elements
  • Compare different research designs in IT
  • Apply design science and system development approaches
  • Analyze experimental and qualitative designs in IT
  1. Definition of research design
  2. Elements of research design
  3. Exploratory research design in IT
  4. Descriptive research design in IT
  5. Experimental research design in IT
  6. Case study design in IT
  7. Design science research
  8. System development research
  9. Qualitative research in IT (user experience, usability studies)
  10. Experimental design in software testing and performance evaluation
Unit V: Measurement, Scaling and Sampling (5 hours)
  • Understand variables in IT research
  • Apply measurement and scaling techniques
  • Evaluate validity and reliability
  • Apply appropriate sampling methods

 

  1. Variables in IT research
    1. Performance metrics
    2. Usability measures
  2. Measurement techniques
  3. Scaling methods
  4. Validity and reliability in system evaluation
  5. Sampling techniques for user studies and datasets
  6. Sampling and non-sampling errors
Unit VI: Data Collection and Analysis (10 hours)
  • Identify different types and sources of data
  • Apply data collection methods and tools
  • Perform data preprocessing and visualization
  • Understand basic statistical and qualitative analysis

 

  1. Types of Data in Information Technology Research
    1. System-generated data
    2. Sensor data
    3. Survey data
    4. Database records
    5. Structured
    6. Semi-structured
    7. Unstructured
  2. Sources of Data
    1. Primary data 
    2. Secondary data 
  3. Questionnaire Design for IT Users
  4. Interviews and Observations
  5. Data Collection Using Digital Tools
    1. Web-based surveys 
    2. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) 
    3. Online platforms and analytics tools 
  6. Data Preprocessing
    1. Data cleaning 
    2. Data transformation 
    3. Data integration and reduction
  7. Data Visualization Techniques
    1. Charts (bar, line, pie)
    2. Histograms and scatter plots
    3. Dashboards and interactive visualizations
  8. Introduction to Statistical Analysis
    1. Descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation)
    2. Inferential statistics (non- parametric and parametric)
  9. Analytical Tools and Software: Microsoft Excel , SPSS , Python 
  10. Qualitative Data Analysis (Thematic Analysis)
Unit VII: Writing Proposals and Project Reports (6 hours)
  • Understand structure of research proposals and reports
  • Develop technical writing and documentation skills
  • Apply formatting and referencing standards
  • Present research findings effectively

 

  1. Research proposals in IT projects
  2. Structure and components of proposals
  3. Technical report writing
  4. Documentation standards
  5. Formatting guidelines
  6. Referencing styles (APA/IEEE)
  7. Presentation of results
  8. Writing software/project reports
  9. Best practices for academic and technical communication

Note: The figures in the parentheses indicate the approximate teaching hours for the respective units.

4. Methods of Instruction

Case studies, readings, class discussions, research papers, interactive manner aided by in-class exercises, and short individual & group assignments.

5. Evaluation System and Students’ Responsibilities

5.1 Evaluation System

The performance of a student in a course is evaluated based on internal evaluation and semester-end examination. Fifty percent weight is given to the internal evaluation and fifty percent weight to the semester-end examination conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, Pokhara University.

5.1.1 Internal Evaluation

The internal evaluation is based on continuous evaluation process. The internal evaluation components and their respective weights may vary according to the nature and objectives of the course. An evaluation plan should be prepared by the faculty and should share with the students in the beginning of the course.

The internal evaluation components may consist of any combination of written test, quizzes and oral test, workshop, assignments, term paper, project work, case study analysis and discussion, open book test, class participation and any other test deemed to be suitable by the faculty.

5.1.2 Semester End Examinations

There will be semester end examination at the end of the semester conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, Pokhara University. It carries 50 percent weight of total evaluation.

5.2 Students’ Responsibilities

Each student must secure at least 45 percent marks in the internal evaluation with 80 percent attendance in the class to appear in the Semester End Examination. Failing to obtain such score will be given NOT QUALIFIED (NQ) and the student will not be eligible to appear in the Semester End Examination. Students are advised to attend all the classes and complete all the assignments within the specified time. If a student does not attend the class(es), it is his/her sole responsibility to cover the topic(s) taught during the period. If a student fails to attend a formal exam, quiz, test, etc., there is not any provision for a re-exam.

6. Prescribed Books and References

Text Books

  1. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. Research methods for business students (8th  ed.). Pearson.
  2. Williamson, K., & Johanson, G. (Eds.). Research methods: Information, systems, and contexts (2nd  ed.). Chandos Publishing.

References

  1. Bell, J., & Waters, S. (2014). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  2. Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., & Fitzgerald, W. T. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  3. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
  4. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  5. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  6. Feroz, K., & Lingelbach, K. (Year). Research methods in information technology and information systems. Routledge.
  7. King, R. S. Research methods for information systems.
  8. Springer. (Year). Research techniques for computer science, information systems and cybersecurity. Springer.
  9. Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics (2nd ed.). Routledge.