Computer Science 494: Research Methods
Study Guide
Unit 9: Research Methods in Information Sciences
This unit contains the following sections:
- 9.1 Preface
- 9.2 Learning Outcomes
- 9.3 Introduction to Computational Complexity
- 9.4 Introduction to Content Analysis
- 9.5 Discourse Analysis
- 9.6 Longitudinal Study
- 9.7 References
9.1 Preface
This unit outlines research methods that are closely associated with information sciences.
We anticipate that you will need about 12 hours (720 minutes) to complete this unit.
9.2 Learning Objectives
After completing Unit 9, you should be able to
- explain complexity analysis and perform complexity analyses.
- explain content analysis and perform content analyses.
- explain discourse analysis and perform discourse analyses.
- explain longitudinal studies and perform such studies.
9.3 Introduction to Computational Complexity
Computational complexity theory is a branch of the theory of computation in computer science . . . that focuses on classifying computational problems according to their inherent difficulty. (“Computational Complexity Theory,” 2014)
We estimate that this segment of Unit 9 should take about three hours (180 minutes) to complete.
Reading Assignment 9.3.R1
The two reading identified below introduce computational complexity:
Computational complexity theory. (2014, February 19). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computational_complexity_theory&oldid=596210057
[Vernon, M. K.] (2005). Complexity and big-O notation. Retrieved from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~vernon/cs367/notes/3.COMPLEXITY.html
9.4 Introduction to Content Analysis
The reading below provides an introduction to content analysis. Pay special attention to the section titled “Uses of content analysis”:
Content analysis. (2014, February 22). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Content_analysis&oldid=596590327
Reading Assignment 9.4.R2
Principal component analysis (PCA) is a powerful content analysis technique.
Smith, L. (2002). A tutorial on principal component analysis. Retrieved from the website of the University of Otago: http://www.cs.otago.ac.nz/cosc453/student_tutorials/principal_components.pdf
9.5 Discourse Analysis
According to Wikipedia,
Discourse analysis (DA) or discourse studies, is a general term for a number of approaches to analyzing written, vocal, or sign language use or any significant semiotic event.
The objects of discourse analysis [are] discourse, writing, talk, conversation, communicative event[s]. (“Discourse Analysis,” 2014)
Conversation analysis is a type of DA that studies talk in interaction (both verbal and non-verbal in situations of everyday life). CA generally attempts to describe the orderliness, structure and sequential patterns of interaction, whether institutional (in school, a doctor’s surgery, court, or elsewhere) or in casual conversation. (“Conversation Analysis,” 2014)
Social network analysis is another type of DA that establishes structural and functional relationships among elements that interact socially.
We estimate that this segment of Unit 9 should take about three hours (180 minutes) to complete.
Reading Assignment 9.5.R1
The first reading below introduces social networks, and the second introduces social computing.
Social network. (2014, March 3). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_network&oldid=598014906
Social computing. (2014, January 16). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_computing&oldid=591039698
Reading Assignment 9.5.R2
“A case study is an in-depth investigation/study of a single individual, group, incident, or community” (Jon, & Greene, 2003, p. 22).
The reading below introduces case studies.
Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008, December). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544–559. Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR13-4/baxter.pdf
9.6 Longitudinal Study
A longitudinal study is a correlational research study that involves repeated observations of the same variables over long periods of time (“Longitudinal Study,” 2014).
In a longitudinal study subjects are followed over time with continuous or repeated monitoring of risk factors or health outcomes, or both. Such investigations vary enormously in their size and complexity. At one extreme a large population may be studied over decades. For example, the longitudinal study of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys prospectively follows a 1% sample of the British population that was initially identified at the 1971 census. Outcomes such as mortality and incidence of cancer have been related to employment status, housing, and other variables measured at successive censuses. At the other extreme, some longitudinal studies follow up relatively small groups for a few days or weeks. Thus, firemen acutely exposed to noxious fumes might be monitored to identify any immediate effects.
Most longitudinal studies examine associations between exposure to known or suspected causes of disease and subsequent morbidity or mortality. In the simplest design a sample or cohort of subjects exposed to a risk factor is identified along with a sample of unexposed controls. The two groups are then followed up prospectively, and the incidence of disease in each is measured. By comparing the incidence rates, attributable and relative risks can be estimated. Allowance can be made for suspected confounding factors either by matching the controls to the exposed subjects so that they have a similar pattern of exposure to the confounder, or by measuring exposure to the confounder in each group and adjusting for any difference in the statistical analysis. (United States Air Force, n.d)
We estimate that this segment of Unit 9 should take about 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete.
Reading Assignment 9.6.R1
This reading introduces longitudinal studies.
Longitudinal study. (2014, March 9). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longitudinal_study&oldid=598820827
Assignment 2
Review Assignment 2 on the course home page, and do whatever you can at this point.
9.7 References
Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008, December). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544–559. Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR13-4/baxter.pdf
Computational complexity theory. (2014, February 19). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computational_complexity_theory&oldid=596210057
Content analysis. (2014, February 22). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Content_analysis&oldid=596590327
Conversation analysis. (2014, March 6). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conversation_analysis&oldid=598439228
Discourse analysis. (2014, February 13). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Discourse_analysis&oldid=595274355
Jon, S., & Greene, R. W. (2003). Sociology and you. Ohio: Glencoe McGraw-Hill.
Longitudinal study. (2014, March 9). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longitudinal_study&oldid=598820827
Smith, L. (2002). A tutorial on principal component analysis. Retrieved from the website of the University of Otago: http://www.cs.otago.ac.nz/cosc453/student_tutorials/principal_components.pdf
Social computing. (2014, January 16). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_computing&oldid=591039698
Social network. (2014, March 3). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 9, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_network&oldid=598014906
United States Air Force, Public Health Source. What is epidemiology? 7. Longitudinal studies.
[Vernon, M. K.] (2005). Complexity and big-O notation. Retrieved from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~vernon/cs367/notes/3.COMPLEXITY.html