Body of knowledge is vast, can be found in: academic journals conference papers books etc. Source material for what is already known.
Degree
Notes from my degree course
Evidence
In science, everything has to be supported by evidence – no evidence, no scientific theory. Hyperspace is an example of science fiction as there is no evidence that faster than speed of light travel is possible. In the future, if this becomes possible then it will be science fact as Continue Reading
Delivery
What will be delivered? Typically an academic paper (WRT the degree course, it will be the dissertation).
Milestones
Project will need to be completed in stages and should have a schedule with dates and deadlines. This is a project plan. Large projects may require full project planning tools and techniques. Smaller projects may only require a Gannt chart. Helps ensure that work is done in correct order and Continue Reading
Products
What will you produce to illustrate that you have met your objectives? The artefact could be something like a device or piece of software. Tim Berners-Lee produced a web server and client to show his hypothesis would work (Internet and hypertext). Alternative artefacts could include results from experiments which could Continue Reading
Activities
How to achieve objectives? Perform research activities. What activities? Experiments? Observations? Build something to demo hypothesis? Outlines/describes how you will actually carry out your research.
Objectives
Identify what you are trying to achieve. One main aim with possibly 3-5 secondary objectives. Understandable by non-expert. Research is at leading edge of technology, therefore may not be many experts in area being looked into. Some may be familiar with area but not exact area. Objectives should be easily Continue Reading
Research Outline
Research is planned activity, commonly following outline: Objectives Activities Products Milestones Delivery Evidence
Thesis and Dissertation
Tend to be used interchangeably. Thesis – ideas, concepts, generated knowledge (hypothesis). Dissertation – document explaining and presenting evidence for thesis.
Prediction
Key way to test hypothesis and resulting theory is by prediction. Example Newton’s laws of motion allow us to predict how an object will behave in certain circumstances. First law states “Every object persists in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a straight line, unless it is compelled to change Continue Reading