Research Methodology in CS

Course code CSEG3060 · Research Methodology in Computing Science.

L-T-P: 3-0-0 Credits: 3 6 Units 45 Contact Hours Syllabus v2.0
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Course Objectives

  1. Familiarize students with research problem identification.
  2. Introduce various research methodologies in computing science.
  3. Promote ethical conduct in research.
  4. Enhance technical writing and proposal development skills.
  5. Provide insights into intellectual property and patents.

Course Outcomes

  • CO1: Identify and formulate research problems using defined criteria and characteristics.
  • CO2: Utilize various investigative approaches and methodologies for problem-solving in computing science research.
  • CO3: Demonstrate ethical conduct and awareness of research ethics and plagiarism.
  • CO4: Produce technically sound, well-structured research reports and proposals.
  • CO5: Analyze and apply knowledge of intellectual property rights, particularly patents, in computing science.

Syllabus

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Unit I: Introduction to Research Problem 9 Hours

Lecture 1 — Understanding the Research Problem: Meaning and significance, sources and identification.

Lecture 2 — Criteria & Characteristics of a Good Research Problem: Essential attributes, errors in selection.

Lecture 3 — Scope, Objectives & Approaches: Defining scope and objectives, investigative approaches for solutions.

Lecture 4 — Data Collection, Analysis & Interpretation: Necessary instrumentation.

Unit II: Research Methods in Computing Science 13 Hours

Dialectic of Research in Computing Science: Models of argument, proof methods (demonstration, empirical, mathematical).

Deduction and Induction for Computer Science: Theoretical models and approaches.

Algorithmic & Software Engineering Approaches: Mathematical modelling.

Performance Estimation and Evaluation.

Unit III: Ethical Conduct and Literature Studies 8 Hours

Effective Literature Studies: Approaches and analysis.

Addressing Plagiarism.

Research Ethics: Ethical considerations in research.

Unit IV: Technical Writing & Research Proposal Development 5 Hours

Effective Technical Writing and report writing techniques.

Developing a Research Proposal: Proposal format and components.

Presentation and Review Committee Assessment.

Unit V: Intellectual Property and Patents 5 Hours

Nature and Process of Intellectual Property: Overview of patents, designs, copyrights.

Patenting Process: Research, innovation, development.

International Scenario and Patenting: International cooperation on IP; patenting under PCT.

Unit VI: Patent Rights and New Developments in IPR 5 Hours

Scope and Transfer of Patent Rights: Licensing and technology transfer, patent information and databases.

New Developments in IPR: Administration of the patent system, IPR in computer software.

Case Studies and IPR in educational institutes.

Textbooks

  1. Stuart Melville & Wayne Goddard, Research Methodology: An Introduction for Science & Engineering Students.
  2. R. Ganesan, Research Methodology for Engineers, MJP Publishers.

Reference Books

  • Steven Skiena, The Algorithm Design Manual, Springer.

Evaluation

  • Internal Assessment — 50% (Quizzes, Class Tests, Assignments/Projects)
  • Mid-Semester Exam — 20%
  • End-Semester Exam — 30%