A Conceptual Model of the Research Methodology Domain

Recognising the need for the development of research capacity and changing learning paradigms that include online and collaborative approaches, an ontology of research methodology needs to be developed to allow for the shared creation of knowledge in this domain. An ontology engineering approach is followed in developing a conceptual model of the domain using UML, with a focus on studies in the computing disciplines. A research scheme that is made up of a philosophical world view, a research design, and research methods is proposed. Appropriate relations between these are identified, as well as attributes of the various concepts in the conceptual model. A focus group consisting of senior researchers in the field of computing was utilised to validate the model.