Introducing research methods to computer science Honours students
V.C. Galpin, S. Hazelhurst, C. Mueller, and I. Sanders
South African Computer Journal, 24, November 1999, 258-263.
(An experience paper from the Proceedings of SAICSIT '99, 17-19 November 1999,
Hartebeespoort, South Africa).
Abstract
Research skills are important for any academic and can be of great
benefit to any professional person. These skills are, however,
difficult to teach and to learn. In the Department of Computer
Science at the University of the Witwatersrand we have for a number of
years included the completion of a research report as part of our
Honours programme. This paper is a case study of how we have
implemented an introductory research methods Honours course to
increase our students' exposure to research and to help them
cope better with their research reports. This course provides an
effective way of introducing research to a relatively large class of
Honours students. It is now being given for the second time.
Our experience with the course is positive and we believe it has made
a major impact on the way research is done by Honours students. Many
of the problems we encountered with the Honours research reports prior
to the introduction of the research methods course have been
alleviated.
Keywords
computer science education, research methods
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