RESEARCH METHODS FOR

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS

WRITING YOUR PROJECT REPORT

Prof. S. K. OPOKU
Useful Video Tutorials and templates
How to format your work
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How to reference your work

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Project Proposal Template

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Project Report Title Page Template

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CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION

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Writing the Chapter One - Introduction
• The aim of chapter one is to justify why the work you have done is important.
• You have to convince the reader that you have fixed a problem that existed.
• You also need to tell the reader what you aimed at in the project work and how the
work was bounded.
• The reader should be motivated to read the other sections of the work after reading
your chapter one
• The chapter focuses on the background of the study, the problem statement, the
various objectives the study aims at achieving, the scope of the work and the
significance of the project. It also gives a brief description of how the study has been
organized

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 Writing the Chapter One – Sections
• Provide an introduction that tells your readers what to expect in that chapter.

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Problem Statement

1.3 Objectives
(Some supervisors require Aims and Objectives whiles others require General
objective and Specific Objectives. Certain institutions research questions and/or
objectives)

1.4 Scope of the Study

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Organization of the Work

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 Writing the Chapter One – Background of the Study
• The background information provides sufficient content to the reader so they can
understand the purpose of the work, the design and the interpretation of the
results. It provides a general overview of the topic of study. It includes clear,
focused, accurate and detailed information to understand the science investigated
during the study

• The Background generally consists of five elements:

• Element 1: The writer first must state the broad theme or topic of the study.

• Element 2: Once the broad theme/topic has been introduced, its academic and
practical importance (if applicable) must be explained. In short, you should
provide a convincing answer to the question: “Why should anyone give a damn
about this project?”.
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 Writing the Chapter One – Background of the Study
• Element 3: The author next summarizes the available literature and cites the most important previous
studies that are relevant to the current research. If an existing study were replicated, this should be
clearly stated here. One should also include an in-text reference to the study that was replicated.

• Element 4: Next, the author indicates the most important gaps, inconsistencies and/or controversies in
the literature that the current study will address. The author also explains the study’s main contribution
in such a way that the benefits to the reader are accentuated.

• Element 5: Finally, the context in which the study is being conducted must be stated.

• Some of the elements and sub-elements may be combined

• Study an example from:

[Link]
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 Writing the Chapter One – Problem Statement
The statement of the problem is the focal point of your research. A concise research problem
statement that, in one to three sentences, describes specifically what the problem is that you
intend to solve. It explains what problems or issues you wish to explore and why you wish to
explore them

It is just one sentence (with several paragraphs of elaboration).

It explains how the problem relates to business, social or political trends by presenting data
that demonstrates the scope and depth of the problem.

Try to give dramatic and concrete illustrations of the problem. After writing this section,
make sure you can easily identify the single sentence that is the problem statement

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 Writing the Chapter One – Problem Statement
A well-written problem statement should capture the following elements:
Element 1: Provide a setting for your research.

Element 2: Provide research efforts (this is usually based on institutional requirement)

(For each research: identify purpose, methodology, results/finding and limitation)

Element 3: State the gap(s) that exist that you want to solve.

Element 4: End by stating why the gap(s) have to be filled

• Study an example from:

[Link]
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 Writing the Chapter One – Problem Statement
Some Types of Research Gaps (The identified gaps provide a clear direction for future research):
1. Theoretical Research Gap
• Example: Examination of external factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of AI in different
organizational cultures.
• Example: Understanding the underlying reasons for the plateau in productivity gains due to AI over time.
2. Empirical Research Gap
• Example: Quantitative assessment of broader, organization-wide impacts of AI, beyond individual employee
perspectives.
• Example: Analysis of causation between AI integration and organizational culture changes.
3. Methodological Research Gap
• Example: Deep analysis of specific AI technologies and their distinct contributions to operational efficiency.
4. Contextual Research Gap
Example: Comprehensive study on the impact of AI across various non-tech industries to understand broader
implications.
5. Critical Research Gap
• Example: Investigating the impact of AI on diverse demographic groups within the workforce.
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 Writing the Chapter One – Objectives
• The main aims that the project ought to achieve. Try to get between three and five numbered objectives.
It should be specific (concise) and measurable

• Achieving your research objectives should lead you to solve the main research problem or answer the
core research question or achieve the purpose of the study. Some of your objectives may be to test
specific hypotheses, while others may relate to the gathering of descriptive data or to the development
of a conceptual framework/model/system (or application).

• Your research objectives should not focus on any managerial actions or activities that may result
from the study. It is, therefore, incorrect to have research objectives in an academic study such as
the ones listed in the example below:
1. To advise management on how best to improve the quality of service delivered to customers at
Kumasi Technical University
2. To develop an intervention plan in order to improve internal communication between top
management and operational staff.
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 Writing the Chapter One – Objectives Guidelines
• You should consider the following guidelines when drafting research objectives:
• Research objectives must be presented in a bulleted list and should be phrased in the form: “To
determine …”, “To investigate …”, “To evaluate …”, “To compare …”

• Research objectives should be listed in order of importance or from the most general to the most
specific.

• Research objectives can be viewed as a set of “promises” made to the reader; promises that the
researcher undertakes to achieve in the study. Be realistic in the promises you make! Limit the
number of objectives you set by focusing your attention on three to five core objectives that will
enable you to solve the research problem or answer the research question posed. Make sure that
your study is properly designed to achieve these.

• Each objective should focus on a single issue. Be careful for objectives containing the
following words: “and”, “or”, “as well as”. These words often indicate a composite objective
dealing with more than one issue. 12
 Writing the Chapter One – Objectives Guidelines
• Again, do not confuse research objectives with managerial objectives. Research objectives will focus
on the things you want to do or achieve as a direct result of your research effort. As such, research
objectives usually contain the following verbs in the format: To <action-word><article> …..
• To analyse …
• To compare …
• To describe …
• To determine how many / which percentage …
• To develop a typology / classification scheme / system / conceptual framework …
• To identify …
• To investigate …
• To review the most recent literature …
• To test …
• To design
• To examine
• To assess
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 Writing the Chapter One – Scope of the Study
The Scope includes the specific variables of study, the location of the study, the samples, the
respondents and weaknesses of the study which are beyond the control of the researcher.
It is also the important section of a project which includes: coverage of the study, area, the
subject, the research instruments, the research issues and concerns, the duration of the study
and the constraints that have direct bearing on the result of the study.

Thus
• Write on what you ought to have done but you did not do and why.

• The scope in some institutions are termed as Delimitation

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Writing the Chapter One – Significance of the Study
• The benefit of the work you are doing to
• the organization you are working on
• the academic field
• the society
• The government in terms of policy
• The consumers

• What are the benefit other students or developers derive from your work
(theoretical and practical benefits). Outline any policies that can be
obtained from your work

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Writing the Chapter One – Organisation of the Work
Provides brief description of the various chapters of the study.

Example:
The first chapter focused on the background of the study, the problem
statement, the various objectives the study aims at achieving, the scope of
the work and the significance of the project. It also gives brief description
of how the study has been organized.

The second chapter concerns itself with what other researchers have done
concerning the topic under study. It reveals theories and concepts that have
been generated. It focuses on the various technologies employed in the area
under study.
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Writing the Chapter One – Organisation of the Work
The third chapter, on the other hand, focuses on the design of the proposed
system. It designs how the components of the system interact to carry out
the system functions. The methodology employed in this work is discussed
in details.

The next chapter, mainly chapter four, implements the various algorithms
generated in the third chapter. It ensures that all the objectives of the
proposed system are achieved through implementation.

The last chapter, mainly chapter five ends the study with summary and
discussion of the various findings. It also focuses on reviewing the
strengths and limitations of the implemented system and finally provides
direction into the future by stating research areas associated with the study
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