Research Proposal

To: Professor Cohen

From: Jesus Juarez
Date: 09/20/14
Subject: Research Proposal for Inquiry into the discipline of Computer Science
In what follows, I introduce my research project, provide background information
on the project and a review of literature, and discuss my research procedure and
methodology. I submit this research proposal for your review and approval.
Introduction: With my primary and secondary questions for my research proposal
I am hoping to find more about the discipline of computer science. Through my
questions I want to find out all about the discipline such as how to manage the
workload and how to be successful in the career. This research will ultimately help
me decide if I really want to pursue a career in computer science.
Literature Review/Background: In the scholarship of computer science it is not
just about the grades you can get but the experience you can gain while you are in
college. In order to get a job right after college companies expect you to have gained
some experience through internships or coops. Having a high GPA wont cut it
anymore. According to A Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate-Level Program in
Computer Science there is a lack of computer scientists and engineers. This means
that there is a need for people in this career and the outlook looks very promising.
Besides thats according to Envisioning the Future of Computing Research and Trends
in Computer Science Research there is a lot of research that needs to be done and the
government offers a lot of grants for people who want to do research in the
computer science field to further improve hardware and software.
Annotated Bibliography
Lazowska, E. (2008). Envisioning the Future of Computing Research.
Communications Of The ACM, 51(8), 28-30.
Talks about the history of computer science and how the government has
supported research on the field.
HOONLOR, A., SZYMANSKI, B. K., & ZAKI, M. J. (2013). Trends in Computer Science
Research. Communications Of The ACM, 56(10), 74-83. doi:10.1145/2500892
This articles talks about the trends on the world of computer science in 2013
and how the field has expanded.
Simonson, S. (2002). A Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate-Level Program in
Computer Science. Communications Of The ACM, 45(7), 21-24.
This article talks about how there is a shortage of people that are in the
computer science field and how there might be a way to make it easier to get
into the degree.

Procedure/Methodology: I plan to conduct this research through interviews,

surveys, document analyses, and site observations. Through this I can acquire
primary and secondary research.
Interviews
I will try to interview a professor in computer science or a graduate student that is
in the program. Through this I will be able to get other peoples perspective of the
program and its discipline.
Surveys
I plan to make a survey through surveymonkey.com that will help me better
understand the life in the discipline and what goes on in the computer science
program at UTEP.
Document Analyses
I plan to review a degree plan for computer science and a syllabus to see what the
classes prioritize.
Site Observations
I am planning to visit the building of computer science to conduct my research. And
to see what the classroom and labs are like.
Conclusion:
Through these forms of research I am certain that I will find the answers I need to
answer my primary and secondary questions. This will ultimately decide if I stay
with this discipline and make it my career.