Graduate Seminar
puluer@gsu.edu.tr
Content
Objective
This course aims to equip students with the foundational skills required to conduct research projects. It focuses on developing the ability to identify and formulate research problems, critically analyze existing literature, design and execute detailed research methodologies, and communicate findings effectively in both written and oral forms. The course also examines ethical and legal issues in academic and professional practice in R&D, as well as the commercial, managerial, and legal aspects of developing new technologies.
Course Content
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the development and execution of research projects in Computer Science. It begins with the formulation of a research topic/question through a systematic literature review, including reading, summarizing, and critically evaluating relevant academic work, as well as identifying key themes and research gaps. The course then covers experimental design and research methodologies, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, simulation techniques, and data collection and management practices. The students will apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to a small-scale R&D project by developing a well-structured research proposal aligned with contemporary standards in Computer Science research.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and formulate well-defined research problems in Computer Science
2. Conduct systematic literature reviews, critically evaluate academic sources, identify key themes and research gaps
3. Design and implement appropriate research methodologies using quantitative, qualitative, and simulation-based approaches.
4. Develop and present a well-structured research proposal for a small-scale R&D project.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Theory and practice, presentation, discussion, Q&A
References
Walliman, N., & Walliman, N. (2010). Research Methods: The Basics: 2nd edition. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203836071.
Dandy, GC, Walker, DJ, Daniell, TM & Warner, RF 2008, Planning and Design of Engineering Systems. Second Edition, Taylor and Francis, Abingdon, UK, ISBN 978-0-415-40552-2.
Dodig-Crnkovic G., Scientific methods in computer science, Conference for the Promotion of Research in IT at New Universities and at University Colleges in Sweden, Skövde. 2002.
Weekly Contents
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations of Scientific Research |
| 2 | Systematic Literature Review |
| 3 | Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Research |
| 4 | Formulation of a Research Question |
| 5 | Identification of Research Gaps |
| 6 | Critical Analysis of Research Papers (Student Paper Presentations) |
| 7 | Research Methods, Techniques and Methodology in Computer Science |
| 8 | Hypothesis & Experimental Design |
| 9 | Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches |
| 10 | Analytical Techniques, Statistical Techniques and Tools for Analysing Data |
| 11 | Project Planning and Management, Risk Analysis |
| 12 | Development of Technology: R&D Projects |
| 13 | Ethical and Societal Challenges, Legal and Professional Issues, Professional Conduct and Responsibility |
| 14 | Student Project Presentations |
Assessment System
| Activities | Number | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade | 2 | 60 |
| Contribution of final exam to overall grade | 1 | 40 |
| Total | 3 | 100 |
| Activities | Number | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 0 | 0 |
| Presentation | 1 | 20 |
| Midterm Examinations (including preparation) | 0 | 0 |
| Project | 1 | 40 |
| Laboratory | 0 | 0 |
| Other Applications | 0 | 0 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 |
| Term Paper/ Project | 0 | 0 |
| Portfolio Study | 0 | 0 |
| Reports | 0 | 0 |
| Learning Diary | 0 | 0 |
| Thesis/ Project | 0 | 0 |
| Seminar | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Make-up | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 60 |
ECTS
| Activities | Number | Period | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Hours | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Working Hours out of Class | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignments | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Presentation | 2 | 35 | 70 |
| Midterm Examinations (including preparation) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Project | 1 | 50 | 50 |
| Laboratory | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Applications | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final Examinations (including preparation) | 1 | 50 | 50 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Term Paper/ Project | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Portfolio Study | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reports | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Learning Diary | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thesis/ Project | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seminar | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Make-up | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yıl Sonu | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hazırlık Yıl Sonu | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hazırlık Bütünleme | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Workload | 198 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 | 7.92 | ||
| Credits ECTS | 8 | ||