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SCS 301: Research Methods in Computing

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32 views3 pages

SCS 301: Research Methods in Computing

Uploaded by

mutisov261
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MURANG’A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY ORDINARY EXAMINATION

2017/2018 ACADEMIC YEAR


THIRD YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,
BACHELOR OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM

SCS 301 – RESEARCH METHODS IN COMPUTING

DURATION: 2 HOURS

DATE: 24TH APRIL 2018

TIME: 2.00-4.00PM

Instructions to Candidates:

1. Answer Question 1 and Any Other Two questions.


2. Mobile phones are not allowed in the examination room.
3. You are not allowed to write on this examination question paper.

SECTION A – ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION


CASE
As a student of information communication software engineering or information systems you will be
required to undertake a six months research project with creativity and originality that is relevant to
the development of society. In this project you are expected to portray relevant knowledge and
systems implementation .Besides you are expected to have demonstrate knowledge, skills and hand
on experience with software engineering principles, techniques, methodologies, tools and
environments used for analysis and design of computerized systems.

Give enough thought to one of the following systems in terms of the attributes above: stock control
systems, billing systems, loan management systems, online reservation systems and online
registration systems. Confining yourself to one of these systems in any organization of your choice,
you will be required to demonstrate intellectual abilities in proposal writing, collecting research data
and project management. Further, you will confine yourself to the constructive research methods as
opposed to either nomothetic or idiographic research methods. The former basically involves
conceptual and technical development of a software systems which is in-line with your area of
interest.
With this background in mind, now attempt the questions that follow.

QUESTION ONE
a) i. State your topic area, project title and the target organization (4 marks)
ii. Formulate one main objective and three specific objectives for your project (5 marks)
iii. Formulate the problem statement for your project (5 marks)
iv. Explain three significances of your research project (6 marks)
b) Describe the data collection techniques you would use for your project (4 marks)
c) Describe the development methodology and tools for your project (4 marks)
d) Explain two problems which you may encounter during the research project (2 marks

SECTION TWO – ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION

QUESTION TWO
For each of the following about your chosen project mention
a) Five analysis activities and their corresponding deliverables (5 marks)
b) Seven design activities and their corresponding deliverables (7 marks)
c) Four implementation activities and their corresponding deliverables (8 marks)

QUESTION THREE
a) Outline five purposes of a literature review (5 marks)
b) Explain two kinds of skills you gain by writing a literature review (4 marks)
c) Mention and explain six search for literature tries to answer (6 marks)
d) Outline five questions which a literature (5 marks)

QUESTION FOUR
a) Mention six suitable sources of information for background reading (3 marks)
b) Outline appropriate situations for each of the fact-finding techniques shown below
i. Background Reading (1 Mark)
ii. Interviewing (1 Mark)
iii. Questionnaire (2 Marks)
iv. Document sampling (3 marks)
c) Give four advantages of using observation to collect research data (4 marks)
d) Give two disadvantages of using questionnaire to collect research data (2 marks)
e) Explain the purpose of the following modern methods of determining requirements
i. joint application design(JAD) (2 Marks)
ii. Prototyping

Common questions

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Understanding software engineering principles is essential for developing information systems as it ensures that systems are designed and implemented efficiently and effectively. These principles guide the analysis and design of systems, helping prevent common issues such as bugs, security vulnerabilities, and inefficiency. They also provide methods and best practices that improve the reliability and usability of the software. A good grasp of these principles enables developers to create systems that meet user requirements and can adapt to future changes .

A good research project proposal in computing and information technology should include a clearly defined topic area, a project title, and the target organization. It should outline one main objective and several specific objectives to achieve the intended goals. Additionally, a well-structured problem statement should be presented, highlighting the gap that the research aims to address. The proposal should also explain the significance of the research project, demonstrating its relevance and potential impact. Furthermore, appropriate data collection techniques, development methodologies, and potential problems that may be encountered should be described .

A suitable development methodology for an online registration system is Agile due to its flexibility and iterative nature, allowing for continuous feedback and improvements. Tools that support Agile development, such as Jira for project tracking, Git for version control, and test automation tools like Selenium, can be utilized effectively. These tools and methodologies facilitate collaboration among team members and ensure the project adapts to changing requirements, ultimately leading to a robust and user-friendly system .

Advantages of using questionnaires include the ability to collect data from a large number of respondents quickly and cost-effectively. They can be distributed easily and allow for anonymity, which might encourage more honest responses. However, the disadvantages include the potential for low response rates and the risk of misunderstanding questions without the possibility of clarification. Additionally, they may not capture the depth of information that can be obtained through methods like interviews .

Aligning a research project in computing with societal development needs is critical as it ensures the research contributes to addressing real-world challenges, thereby maximizing its impact and relevance. This alignment can result in the development of technologies and solutions that enhance quality of life, economic development, and social welfare. By focusing on societal needs, research projects also gain broader support and funding opportunities, facilitating successful implementation and wider adoption of their outcomes .

Prototyping serves as a tool to visually demonstrate system features to users, allowing them to provide feedback before full-scale development. It helps bridge the communication gap between developers and stakeholders, ensuring that the system aligns with user needs. Prototyping can identify potential issues early in the development process, thereby saving time and resources, and enhancing the overall design and functionality of the final product .

Common challenges during data collection in research projects include inaccurate or incomplete data, respondent reluctance or lack of cooperation, and logistical issues. These challenges can be addressed by employing multiple data collection techniques to cross-verify data. Building rapport with respondents and ensuring confidentiality can increase cooperation. Carefully planning data collection activities and employing digital tools can minimize logistical issues and improve data accuracy and completeness .

A literature review contributes to a research project by providing a comprehensive overview of existing research, helping to identify gaps and areas for further investigation. It contextualizes the research within the existing body of knowledge, demonstrating how it builds on or diverges from previous work. Furthermore, it can reveal methodological approaches used in similar studies, offering insights into effective research design and data collection methods. It also helps in formulating new hypotheses and refining research questions .

Nomothetic research methods focus on identifying generalizable laws and statistical relationships applicable across large populations. These are often used in studies where the aim is to derive broad conclusions or test theories. Idiographic methods, on the other hand, emphasize the detailed understanding of unique, individual cases, making them suitable for exploratory studies where depth and context are crucial. Choosing between these methods depends on the research objectives: nomothetic for broader, generalizable findings and idiographic for in-depth understanding of specific cases .

Conducting a literature review in computing research develops several skills, including critical thinking, as researchers must evaluate the relevance and validity of sources. It also enhances analytical skills by identifying patterns and trends within the literature. Additionally, literature reviews improve writing and synthesis skills as researchers must condense complex information into a coherent narrative. This process also improves project planning skills by identifying gaps and opportunities in existing research .

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