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Towards identification and classification of core and threshold concepts in methodology education in computing

Published: 21 June 2014 Publication History

Abstract

Research methodology is a quintessential component of science, but methods differ greatly between sciences. In computing, methods are borrowed from many fields, which causes difficulties to methodology education in computing. In our methodology courses in computing, we have observed a number of core and threshold concepts that affect students' success. This essay describes a work in progress towards understanding those core and threshold concepts in methodology education in computing, classified along two dimensions. We classify methodological concepts in terms of standard elements of research design in students' projects in computing, and in terms of their centrality and difficulty. We present examples of three types of troublesome knowledge concerning methodology: the strangeness and complexity of methodological concepts, misimpressions from everyday experience, and reasonable but mistaken expectations.

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  1. Towards identification and classification of core and threshold concepts in methodology education in computing

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    ITiCSE '14: Proceedings of the 2014 conference on Innovation & technology in computer science education
    June 2014
    378 pages
    ISBN:9781450328333
    DOI:10.1145/2591708
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    Published: 21 June 2014

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    Author Tags

    1. computer science education
    2. computing education
    3. congruent design
    4. methodology
    5. methodology education
    6. research design
    7. thesis work

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