Computer Science 494: Research Methods

Study Guide

Unit 11: Managing and Presenting Research

This unit contains the following sections:

• 11.1 Preface
• 11.2 Learning Outcomes
• 11.3 Introduction to Project Management
• 11.4 Presentation Skills
• 11.5 How to Write a Research Paper
• 11.6 How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation
• 11.7 Reference Management
• 11.8 References

11.1 Preface

Managing research is an essential set of skills for any researcher, and project management software can assist in the process. Furthermore, any researcher must be able to present the information that is revealed by research. This unit introduces a range of skills and ideas about using project management techniques, writing a research paper, writing a dissertation (thesis), planning a research presentation, and using references management software.

We anticipate that you will need about 11 hours (660 minutes) to complete this unit.

11.2 Learning Objectives

After completing Unit 11, you should be able to

• use Gantt and PERT charts to perform specific project management functions.
• identify project management challenges using the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework.
• plan the presentation of your research.
• develop and implement a plan for writing a research paper.
• develop and implement a plan for writing or thesis or dissertation.
• use reference management software.

11.3 Introduction to Project Management

The first reading identified below provides a very good general overview of project management, including discussions of various project management tasks, constraints, issues and solutions; the second and third deal with Gantt charts, and the fourth and fifth with PERT charts.

Reading Assignment 11.3.R2

The reading below introduces concepts and techniques for managing IT infrastructure, development and operations.

11.4 Presentation Skills

There are a variety of ways to present the results of research. Written presentations, in the form of articles and theses, are discussed in later sections of this unit. Less formal forms of presentation include three methods discussed in this section: oral presentation, poster presentation, and power-point presentation.

We estimate that this segment of Unit 11 should take about 1.5 hours (90 minutes) to complete.

Reading Assignment 11.4.R1

The first of the readings below presents guidance on oral presentation; the second, about poster presentation; and the third, about making PowerPoint presentations.

11.5 How to Write a Research Paper

We estimate that this segment of Unit 11 should take about 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete.

Reading Assignment 11.5.R1

The reading below presents information about particular aspects of the writing process.

11.6 How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation

We estimate that this segment of Unit 11 should take about 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete.

Reading Assignment 11.6.R1

This reading offers guidelines on planning a dissertation.

11.7 Reference Management

We estimate that this segment of Unit 11 should take about 1 hour (60 minutes) to complete.

Practice Assignment 11.7.P1

Read the article below, then download a bibliography software package and practice entering references into it.

Assignment 2

Review Assignment 2 on the course home page, and do whatever you can at this point.

11.8 References