Credible Sources Rate each following source in terms of credibility and justify view. Wikipedia Not very credible. This is a crowd-based knowledge website which anyone can update without having any qualification in the subject area. References to support information can be included but it is not mandatory. RDI notes More Continue Reading
Degree
Notes from my degree course
Introduction
Not everything online or in print is factually correct. Articles, essays & blog posts can be erroneous through: ignorance of author(s) misinterpretations invalid conclusions drawn from source data To determine whether source is valid or rubbish, we need to evaluate the academic credibility.
Aspects of the Literature Review
Should be well-argued & critical evaluation of particular subject. Should show width and depth of reading relevant and appropriate literature. Not sufficient to read two or three papers. Remember triangulation. Should focus clearly on particular issue being looked at. Should learn a lot about subject and will help give clearer Continue Reading
Role of the Literature Review
To add to the existing body of knowledge, we need to know what is already there. This is the determined by carrying out a literature review. It is also used to support and justify research. Also by reviewing existing work we can identify questions not yet answered, either: from “future Continue Reading
What is a Literature Review?
Evidence can come from previously published work. It is necessary to know what has previously been done in subject area. This information comes from conducting a literature review.
What is a Dissertation?
It is a document that defends a hypothesis. Based on sound collection of evidence from both literature and collected data. Evidence gathered from appropriate sources, presented in coherent structure, drawing valid, reliable and justified conclusions. Degree-related project must contain work the student has carried out, not just other people’s work.
Triangulation
Need significant body of evidence to support hypothesis. If taken from literature, read extensively around subject and gather wide range of correlative sources. If evidence is from own work, number of data sets required from different circumstances to ensure experiments/observations are repeatable. This approach is called triangulation – sets of Continue Reading
Sources – Your own data
Data can be collected from experiments and observations. Need to present in clear and concise manner that is easy to understand while including all relevant information. Usual to show data in graphical format so it is easier to interpret. Common data has standards of measurement, e.g. data communication; average data Continue Reading
Sources – Literature
Source of evidence must be clear. If it is from literature then it must be referenced. Must use the referencing method specified by publisher in order to get scientific paper published. Harvard referencing is one of main standards used in I.T. literature. Recent versions of MS Word have the option Continue Reading
Things you have discovered during your research
Collecting data from an experiment provides evidence. e.g. monitoring section of Internet and collect statistical data on amount of traffic. Can be presented in research paper. Review reliability and repeatability to ensure data is acceptable.