This course provides the fundamental foundation of scientific research in computer applications and human-computer interaction (HCI). It covers the complete research lifecycle: scientific conceptualization, literature review, research gaps, problem formulation, SMART objectives, hypotheses, measurement scales, research designs, software-based statistical data analysis (SPSS, Python, R), research ethics, and APA/IEEE thesis report writing.
Course Specific Objectives
•Familiarize students with the foundational concepts, philosophy, and systematic process of research and research methodology.
•Enable students to formulate rigorous research questions, conceptualize research gaps, and design empirical studies.
•Develop hands-on statistical data analysis skills using modern tools (Python, R, SPSS) for both parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing.
•Empower students to conduct independent research projects, observe research ethics, avoid plagiarism, and prepare standard scientific publications and theses.
Detailed Course Units & Lecture Breakdown
6 Units Total
1
Introduction to Research Methodology
4 Hours10 - 15 Marks
Syllabus Topics Covered:
Science, social science and computer application
Research and scientific research
Relationship between science and computer application
Research methods vs research methodology
Core characteristics and objectives of scientific research
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: अनुसन्धान भनेको Re + Search (पहिले भएको सत्यलाई वैज्ञानिक तरिकाले फेरि खोज्नु) हो। Method भनेको तथ्याङ्क संकलन गर्ने साधन (Tools/Techniques) हो भने Methodology भनेको त्यो साधन छनोटको पछाडि रहेको समग्र वैज्ञानिक र दार्शनिक ढाँचा (Philosophy & Logic) हो।
Required Reading: Lazar, Jonathan, Feng, Jinjuan Heidi, & Hochheiser, Harry. (2017). Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd Edition. Chapter 1, pp. 1-24. Elsevier, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Research Topic, Literature Survey and Problem Statement
6 Hours10 - 15 Marks
Syllabus Topics Covered:
Identifying research topic/issue/theme in Computer Applications
Literature survey and preparing bibliography
Doing literature review and identifying research gap
Formulating and stating research problem
Research questions, SMART objectives, and hypothesis formulation (H₀ vs H₁)
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: Literature Review भनेको अरूले गरेको काम दोहोर्याउनबाट जोगिन र Literature मा छुटेको खाली ठाउँ (Research Gap) पत्ता लगाउन गरिन्छ। त्यही Gap बाट Research Problem, SMART Objectives र परीक्षण गर्न सकिने Hypothesis (H₀ र H₁) बन्दछ।
Required Reading: Lazar, Jonathan, Feng, Jinjuan Heidi, & Hochheiser, Harry. (2017). Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd Edition. Chapter 1, pp. 1-24. Elsevier, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Research design definition, need, and core features
Types of research: Descriptive, Relational (Correlational), and Experimental research
Interrelationships among Descriptive, Relational, and Experimental designs
Measuring the human in HCI (behavioral, physiological, subjective metrics)
Preparing research design: universe, population, sampling frame, and sample size
Sample selection: Probability vs Non-probability sampling taxonomy
Basics of experimental research and control groups
Online research design and automated data collection methods
Qualitative methods in CA: diaries, case studies, interviews, focus groups, ethnography
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: Research Design भनेको अनुसन्धानको ब्लुप्रिन्ट हो। NOIR (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio) मापनका ४ तह हुन्। Reliability भनेको परिणामको Consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.7) हो भने Validity भनेको Accuracy हो। Probability Sampling ले मात्र Population मा Generalize गर्न मिल्छ।
Data entry using statistical software (Python, R, SPSS)
Preparing and cleaning data for statistical analysis
Application of statistics: descriptive vs inferential statistics
Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis
Chi-square (χ²) test of independence and goodness of fit
Gamma test and Spearman's Rank Order Correlation (ρ)
Student's t-test: One-sample, independent two-sample, and paired sample t-tests
F-test: Equality of two variances (Variance Ratio) and One-Way / Two-Way ANOVA
Correlation and linear regression analysis
Non-parametric statistical tests
Machine learning approaches to decision making and prediction
Analyzing qualitative textual data
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: Unit 4 सम्पूर्ण हिसाब (Numericals) आउने युनिट हो। २ वटा समूहको Means दाँज्न t-Test, Variance दाँज्न F-Test, ३ वा सोभन्दा बढी Means दाँज्न ANOVA, Categorical Data को लागि Chi-Square (χ²), र Rank Data को लागि Spearman's Rank Correlation (ρ) प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
Research misconduct: Plagiarism (Verbatim, Mosaic, Self-plagiarism), Falsification, Fabrication
Conflict of interest management
Components and process of standard scientific research reports and theses
Preparing and submitting research proposals and final reports (APA & IEEE formats)
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: मानव सहभागीसँग काम गर्दा Informed Consent अनिवार्य हुन्छ। Plagiarism (अरूको काम बिना उद्धरण चोर्नु), Fabrication (मनगढन्ते डाटा बनाउनु), र Falsification (डाटा तोडमोड गर्नु) गम्भीर अपराध हुन्। Thesis को संरचना: Preliminaries (i, ii) -> Main Text (Ch 1-5) -> End Matter (References, Appendices) हुन्छ।
Required Reading: Salmani-Nodoushan, M. A., & Alavi, S. M. (2004). APA Style and Research Report Writing. Section 3: Reports and Theses, pp. 115-150. Lazar, Jonathan, Feng, Jinjuan Heidi, & Hochheiser, Harry. (2017). Research Methods in HCI. Chapter 15, pp. 454-492. Wang, Gabe T. & Park, Keumjae. (2016). Student Research and Report Writing: From Topic Selection to the Complete Paper. Chapters 7 & 11.
👨🏫 Quick Nepali Focus: यो प्रयोगात्मक युनिट हो। यसमा विद्यार्थीले वास्तविक शोध प्रस्ताव (Proposal) लेख्ने, LaTeX मा Thesis ढाँचा तयार पार्ने, Python वा R मार्फत Data Analysis गर्ने, Mendeley/Zotero मा Citation व्यवस्थापन गर्ने, र Turnitin बाट Plagiarism चेक गर्ने अभ्यास गर्दछन्।
Required Reading: Salmani-Nodoushan & Alavi (2004). APA Style and Research Report Writing. Wang & Park (2016). From Topic Selection to the Complete Paper. Wiley Blackwell.