Course Breakdown for Research Methodology

Department of Computer Science, Abbottabad UST

Course name: Research Methodology (3-0) Semester: FALL 2024 Prerequisites: NA Course

code: CSC 511

Class timings (3 hours for Theory per week): Class: MPhil-I

Days Time Room

Thursdays 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM TBA

Course Instructor: Dr Muhammad Naeem

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.

Introduction: Research Methodology is a hands‐on course designed to impart education in the

foundational methods and techniques of academic research in the context of computer sciences.
Research scholars would not only examine but also be practically exposed to the main components
of a research framework, i.e., problem definition, research design, Literature study, data collection,
familiarity with LATEX tools, ethical issues in research, report writing, and presentation. This
practical exposure will equip participants to conduct disciplined research under supervision in an
area of their choosing. In addition to their application in an academic setting, many of the
methodologies discussed in this Course would be similar to those deployed in professional research
environments, giving students a real-world perspective and keeping them engaged.

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 develop an understanding of the basic framework of the research process

➢ To develop an understanding of various research designs and techniques

➢ To identify multiple sources of information for literature review and data collection

➢ To understand the ethical dimensions of conducting applied research

➢ Appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality

 ➢ To develop an understanding of LATEX for writing research documents

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:

Final term 50%

Midterm 30%

Internal points 20%

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 1 Introduction to Course and necessary information for grading scheme,

etc. Introduction to Research. Objectives of Research

Week 2 Importance of Research Methodology in Research Study. Types of

Research. Steps in Conducting Research. Selecting a research topic

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.

Week 5 Quantitative Research Methods. Scientific Methods. Design of

Quantitative Surveys

Week 6 Techniques to Conduct Quantitative Methods. Introduction to

Qualitative Research. Qualitative Research Methods. Data Analysis
and Theory in Qualitative Research Articles

Week 7 Introduction to Mixed Methods Research. Design of Mixed Methods

Research. Evaluation of Mixed Methods Research.

Week 8 Importance and Benefits of Case Study

Week 9 Midterm Exams FALL 2024

Week 10 Introduction to LATEX

Week 11 LATEX for writing research documents

Week 12 LATEX for writing research presentations

Week 13 How to Write a Good Research Proposal.

Week 14 Contents of Thesis. Essential Elements of Research Thesis

Week 15 Summarizing a Research Paper

Week 16 Presenting the summary of at least 20 Research papers

Week 17 Exam Preparation

Week 18 Terminal Examinations FALL 2024

Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Department of CS, Abbottabad UST Page 4 of 4