Course syllabus - Research methods in computer science

Objectives

The course aims to introduce as well as provide a deeper understanding of various research methods in computer science and software engineering. The course will enable students to follow a process-driven approach to conduct a research project, covering planning, design, execution, analysis and reporting of results. 
 
 
 

Learning outcomes

 After completing the course, the students shall be able to:

1, conduct a research project from start to finish, by following one or more research methods
2. formulate research questions/hypotheses
3. search for relevant literature in scientific databases
4. critically evaluate existing literature with respect to scientific rigor
5. relate their own research problem to existing literature
6. design a detailed research proposal that answers formulated research questions/hypotheses
7. perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis
8. discuss threats to validity of their research
9. understand and determine ethical considerations in conducting research

Course content

- Quantitative vs. qualitative research
- Formulation of research questions and/or hypotheses
- Ethics and validity threats in research
- Scientific literature
- Experiment research
- Case study research
- Data analysis
- Survey research

Tuition

Lectures.

Specific requirements

At least 150 ECTS credits in the technical and/or natural sciences areas of which at least 30 credits are within computer engineering, computer science and/or electronics.
In addition, Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3. 

Examination

Written assignment (INL1) 1 credit, examines the learning objective 2, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Written assignment (INL2) 1,5 credits, examines the learning objectives 4 and 9, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Written assignment (INL3) 1,5 credits, examines the learning objecties 7, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Written assignment (INL4) 3,5 credits, examines the learning objectives 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9, marks Fail (U) or 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with Research methods in the natural sciences and engineering.