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Scientific Methods in Computer Science

Fulltext:


Authors:

Gordana Dodig-Crnkovic

Publication Type:

Conference/Workshop Paper

Venue:

Conference for the Promotion of Research in IT at New Universities and at University Colleges in Sweden

Abstract

This paper analyzes scientific aspects of Computer Science. First it defines science and scientific method in general. It gives a discussion of relations between science, research, development and technology. The existing theory of science (Popper, Carnap, Kuhn, Chalmers) has physics as an ideal. Not many sciences come close to that ideal. Philosophy of Science (Theory of Science) as it is today is not of much help when trying to analyze Computer Science. Computer Science is a new field and its object of investigation (universe) is a computer, which is an ever-developing artifact, the materialization of the ideas that try to structure knowledge and the information about the world, including computers themselves. However different, Computer Science has its basis in logic and mathematics, and both theoretical and experimental research methods follow patterns of classical scientific fields. Computer modeling and simulation as a method is specific for the discipline, and it is going to develop even more in the future, not only applied to computers, but also to other scientific as well as commercial and artistic fields.

Bibtex

@inproceedings{Dodig-Crnkovic375,
author = {Gordana Dodig-Crnkovic},
title = {Scientific Methods in Computer Science},
month = {April},
year = {2002},
booktitle = {Conference for the Promotion of Research in IT at New Universities and at University Colleges in Sweden},
url = {http://www.es.mdu.se/publications/375-}
}