TDT39Empirical Research Methodology

Babak FarshchianAdjunct associate professor, IDI, NTNU

Senior Scientist, SINTEF ICT

Name, title of the presentation

What is TDT39?The course is for students who are interested in research in 'real world' settings. You will learn methods for exploring how and why various information/computer systems are designed, implemented and used.

Two variants:•IT3010 - Full course mandatory for master of science (Spring term)•TDT39 - Select course for master of techn. (Autumn)•You cannot take both courses!

The thinking man

You

Other researchers

Your researchPractice

Rigor

Relevance

Figure 3.1 in: B. J. Oates, Researching Information Systems and Computing. London: Sage Publications, 2006.

The framework

The book

Briony J. Oates,

Researching Information Systems

and Computing.

London: Sage Publications, 2006.

An ex-studentof the course

An ex-studentof the course

Course deliverable• Your research plan for your master thesis.

– Version 1.0 ready by end of September.

• A template will be provided for the plan, along with some example plans. See the web pages.

• The template is based on the book.• Contents:

– Purpose: Why you want to do this research? What is the relevance?– Contributions: What new knowledge will you produce?– Research method: What research strategy/method will you use?– Participants: Who do you need for your research? What resources do you

need?– Research paradigm: Is this a positivitst, interpretivist,

or critical research project?– Deliverable: What is the form of the final deliverable?

Meetings

• We will have 2-3 meetings (to be announced on the web pages).– First one approx. end of September to prepare version 1.0 of the

plan.– Opportunity to discuss questions.– Opportunity to present your research plan.

What I can do for you

• I can answer questions related to the book and to the research plan.

• What I cannot do:– I cannot answer questions related to your research project.

• Ask your supervisor.– I cannot be available all the time.

• Prepare to wait for emails to be answred!

The role of your supervisor

• The deliverable from TDT39, the research plan, is your plan for your thesis.

• Your supervisor needs to be involved.• You need to agree with your supervisor about the

content of the plan.

• If you are not doing your master thesis this year please let me know!

Course staff• Teacher: Babak Farshchian• Room: 106 IT building ITV • Availability: Wednesdays, and on email• See course web pages for more information:

http://www.idi.ntnu.no/emner/it3010/ (Shared with course IT3010).