Mizan -Tepi University
Information Technology Program
Program Information Technology
Course Code ITec4155
Course Title: Basic Research Methods in Information Technology
Degree Program Information Technology
Module Name Information Technology Research and Project
Instructor’s Info. Name: Abnet K.(MSc) E-mail: [email protected]
CP 3
Contact Hours Lecture Tutoria Lab/ Home Total
l Practical Study
2 0 0 3
5
Target Group: 4th year Information Technology Students
Year /Semester Year: IV, Semester: I
Pre-requisites None
Status of the Core
Course
Course This course concerns us with the topic of research. It attempts to define
Description what research is, why we do research, and the various methods that
researchers use to investigate problems.
It is designed as an under-graduate introduction to research methodology.
Students are assumed to be familiar with statistics (such as mean,
standard deviation, percentiles, and other such terms). The course
provides a framework for conceptualizing research and is meant to
underpin the research project for the final year as well as for the projects
delivered for each subject.
Course Objective At the end of this course, students will be able to understand:
The terminologies used by professional researchers employing
scientific thinking.
How to formulate a solid research hypothesis (research question).
the basic stages of research design
types of proposals and the contents of each
the issues covered in research ethics
the relationships that exist between variables in research design
and the steps for evaluating those relationships
Content Chapter 1. THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH
What is research?
Research and theory
The Scientific approach
Stages of the research process
Components of a Research Proposal
Writing a Research Proposal
Chapter 2: FORMULATION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
Selection of a general topic
Literature review and the exploratory study
Specification of objectives and hypotheses
Concepts and variables
Chapter 3: The Research Process
Major Steps in the Research process
Chapter 4: The Research Design
Research Design
Sampling Methods
Measurement
Measurement scales
Instrument Design
Chapter 5: Analysis and Presentation of Data
Data presentation and description
Exploring, displaying , and examining data
Hypothesis testing
Measures of association
Report witting : Presenting insights and findings; Written and
oral reports
Chapter 6: Current Research Topics in IT
Chapter 7: Ethics in Research
Assessment Mid Exam – 20%,
Proposal Writing and presentation – 30% ,
Individual Assignment – 10%,
Final Exam – 40%,
Total= 100%
References 1. Cooper, Donald (2006). Business research methods, 9th Ed,
McGraw-Hill
2. G. Marczyk, D. Demattoe, D. Festinger(2005). Essentials of
research methodology and design. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
3. Donald H. McBurney(1998). Research methods, 4th Redbooks/Cole
Publishing Company. University of Pittsburgh.
4. Kothari, C.R. (2004), Research Methodology: Methods and
Techniques, Second edition(Available in Soft Copy)
5. Sing, K. (2007), QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH
METHODS, Sage Publications
