Course Outline & Breakdown
Course Outline & Breakdown
Course name: Research Methodology (3-0) Semester: FALL 2024 Prerequisites: NA Course
Course Contents:
Introduction to Research. Objectives of Research. Importance of Research Methodology in Research
Study. Types of Research. Steps in Conducting Research. Selecting a Topic for Research. What is a
Literature Review? Why Need for Literature Review? Types of Literature Review. Systematic
Literature Review Protocol. How to read a research paper. Problem Statement and Problem
Formulation. Criteria for selecting a problem. Quantitative Research Methods. Scientific Methods.
Design of Quantitative Surveys. Techniques to Conduct Quantitative Methods. Introduction to
Qualitative Research. Qualitative Research Methods. Data Analysis and Theory in Qualitative
Research Articles. Introduction to Mixed Methods Research. Design of Mixed Methods Research.
Evaluation of Mixed Methods Research. Case Study. How to Conduct a Case Study. Case Study
Protocol. Importance and Benefits of Case Study. Use of LATEX in preparing research documents.
How to Write a Good Research Proposal. Contents of Thesis. Essential Elements of Research
Thesis.
Reference Books:
1. Creswell, J. W. Thousand Oaks, CA. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and
mixed methods approaches 5th Edition, Sage.
2. Bryman, Alan & Bell, Emma (2011). Business Research Methods (Third Edition), Oxford
University Press.
3. Neuman, W.L. (2008). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches,
Pearson Education.
4. Deepak & Sondhi, Neena (2011). Research methodology: Concepts and cases, Vikas
Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.
Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Department of CS, Abbottabad UST Page 1 of 4
5. Kerlinger, F.N., & Lee, H.B. (2000). Foundations of Behavioural Research (Fourth Edition),
Harcourt Inc.
6. Rubin, Allen & Babbie, Earl (2009). Essential Research Methods for Social Work, Cengage
Learning Inc., USA.
7. Anantasi, A. & Urbina, S. (2004). Psychological Testing, Pearson Education, Inc. Chawla, 8.
Pawar, B.S. (2009). Theory building for hypothesis specification in organizational studies,
Response Books, New Delhi.
Note: Abbottabad UST strongly believes in the quality of instructions; hence, teaching/learning the
textbook is mandatory. Any student who feels that the instructor is not following the textbook
according to the course outline may contact the department's Head.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): The primary objective of this Course is to develop a research
orientation among the scholars and to acquaint them with the fundamentals of research methods.
Specifically, the Course aims to introduce them to the basic concepts used in research. It includes
discussions on sampling techniques, research designs, and analysis techniques. The primary course
learning outcomes of the course are:
➢ To identify multiple sources of information for literature review and data collection
Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Department of CS, Abbottabad UST Page 2 of 4
Teaching Methodology: Lectures, Presentations, Group discussions
Course Assessment: Home Assignments, Midterm Exam, Presentations, Final Exam Grading
Policy: As per the University grading policy, the final grade will be given as per the following
distribution:
Midterm 30%
Total 100%
Note: Every week, I'll give you an assignment and/or some extra stuff for reading, presentation, etc.
The internal marks will be based on those activities. The internal points may be distributed as 10
points for assignments and 10 marks for presentations.
Course Help and Support: I'll be available in my office from 2:00 PM to 04:00 PM Monday
through Friday if students need help with this Course. Students or groups can also schedule time
with me for further guidance. This support system is designed to ensure that students feel cared for
and secure in their academic journey.
Attendance Policy: The Department of Computer Science requires a minimum of 75% attendance
for a course. The department strictly follows this policy, and in an emergency, a student must freeze
the semester to avoid complications. The Department of Computer Science program coordinator can
ask for the freezing details.
Disability Policy: Abbottabad UST recognizes the potential of people with disabilities, treats them
as special people, and ensures their access to equal participation in education and university
activities. Any person with a disability may discuss their needs with the head, and the university will
try its best to fulfill the needs within the university's limited resources.
Nondiscrimination Policy: Abbottabad UST prohibits discrimination against any member of the
University community based on socioeconomic status, family background, race, religion, color,
gender, age, mother tongue, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental
status, and disability. If any university community member feels that anyone on campus has
Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Department of CS, Abbottabad UST Page 3 of 4
discriminated against them, they can approach the departmental Head. All such cases may be dealt
with great care and extreme confidentiality.
Week-wise Course Breakdown: The instructor will try to follow the (tentative) schedule shown
below. In case of unusual circumstances, like vacations, extra (rescheduled) classes will be arranged
to cover the course deficiency.
Week 3 What is a Literature Review? Why Need for Literature Review? Types
of Literature Review. Systematic Literature Review Protocol
Week 4 Problem Statement and Problem Formulation. Criteria for selecting a problem.
Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Department of CS, Abbottabad UST Page 4 of 4