Research Approaches – Strengths and Weakness

During couple of weeks we became experts in our chosen research methods. I tried to capture it all and make this table reflecting on whether I would use the research method on my own research (e-Health for maternal health education in rural communities) as shown on the table below. In the end, I noticed that I could make use of most of the methods that we were discussing. In my opinion the reason behind it is that, it is not about what research method I choose, but how I am going to handle it to fit my needs....

November 2, 2012 · 1 min · 116 words · ivanbruno

Structuring research article – Hello TeX!

We’re presenting our research to a sort of audience. Our audience includes the Computer Science academics, our eventual research sponsors and the general population. With many papers being published everyday the difference in whether our research reaches its audience can be in our research presentation or structure. It is tricky to find any structure that will please all. However, there are many tools that we got at the lectures and exercises that can help us getting closer to that goal....

November 1, 2012 · 3 min · 553 words · ivanbruno

Research Design – Harvesting knowledge

Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. – Swahili quote? We’re asked to make a metaphor of researching with a common thing. I found the idea quite amusing. I grow up hearing many stories comparing learning to harvesting. This was the inspiration to tentatively make a metaphor of research with the concept of garden design. I am open to suggestions to improve it and make it easier to understand....

September 28, 2012 · 3 min · 499 words · ivanbruno

Learning from Prof. Donald Knuth

The last thing that I never at thought about (neither heard about), was the transdisciplinary nature of Computer Science. A transdisciplinary approach is not just a set of different subjects cooperating. It consists of unifying different knowledge to create a unique and holistic one. In its essence it creates a new comprehension of reality. Rocha Filho (2007) places transdisciplinarity as being open to the other to get knowledge. I was thinking for example, that the Phd student that presented the game on the lecture would unite his efforts with Psychologists and other specialists in education and cognitive skills to create a whole new perspective....

September 28, 2012 · 2 min · 251 words · ivanbruno

Comfort Zone, Paradigm Shifts and the Limit of Science

Third thing that I never thought about were Paradigms. Particularly, how Kuhn (1970) highlights how Paradigms play a double role in Science. In part, they help to keep us far from distracting themes and on choosing the right research topics. But, the counterpart of them is that in Kuhn’s opinion they can make research so much predictable. For this he proposes paradigm shifts that can replace old habits according to the context needs....

September 28, 2012 · 1 min · 188 words · ivanbruno