An Information Systems Perspective on
Computer Science Research Methods

Roger Clarke

Principal, Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd, Canberra

Visiting Fellow, Department of Computer Science, Australian National University

Research Seminar for the ANU Department of Computer Science, 19 February 2003

© Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd, 2003

This document is at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/Res/ResCS030319.html

The PowerPoint slides to support the presentation are at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/Res/ResCS030319.ppt

Abstract

The discipline of computer science has well-established research traditions. But a meta-literature that explains and discusses computer science research methods is difficult to find.

The rather younger information systems discipline has worked very hard to build up a literature on research methods, and has drawn heavily on the social sciences in doing so.

This seminar presents a brisk overview of research traditions within the social sciences, and then attempts a taxonomy of research methods in computer science. It is hoped that this might result in discussions within the Department, and the discovery of some literature on the topic.

Two resources underlying the presentation are:

• Appropriate Research Methods for Electronic Commerce
• the syllabus of a seminar on business research, intended for doctoral candidates in their first semester

Roger Clarke was Reader in Information Systems in ANU's Department of Commerce 1984-95, and has been a Visiting Fellow in DCS since returning to consultancy in 1995. In that role, he has co-supervised several Honours theses, and offered a dozen seminars on eCommerce topics.

He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong, in the MSc(ECOM) Program within the Department of CSIS, and a Visiting Professor at the University of N.S.W., in the Centre for Cyberspace Law and Policy. In January 2003, he presented a 25-hour introductory seminar on research methods to new PhD candidates at the European Business School near Frankfurt.

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Created: 19 February 2003

Last Amended: 19 February 2003

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