Role of computers in research

Computers have always assisted to solve the problems faced by the mankind.
Since the time of invention, the size of the computers has drastically reduced from
hat of a room to that can be accommodated in a human palm. The word computer
means "something which computes or a machine for performing calculations
automatically". But, today computer means not merely a "calculator". It does vast
ariety of jobs with tremendous speed and efficiency. Today people use computers in
almost every walk of life. Computers have become a subject of study at schools.
Electronic computers have now become an indispensable part of every profession: so
do research.

A computer has three basic

components. They are:
1) An
input device (keyboard and mouse)
2) A central processing unit
(CPU) and
3) An output device (monitor and/or
printer)

Important characteristics of a computer

1. Speed: computers can perform
calculations in just a few seconds that
beings would need weeks to do. a human
2. Storage: end number of data can be
stored in the
needed. Whereas computer and retrieved when
a human mind can remember limited information
unimportant data can be forgot sometimes. and
3.
Accuracy: the computer's accuracy is
the errors in consistently high. Almost without
computing are due to human rather than exception,
to
e. due to
imprecise thinking by the technological weakness. i.
poorly designed system. programmer or due to inaccurate data or due to
4.
Automation: the
computer
instructions to perform which programmes are automatic in nature.
Individual
programme is needed sometimes.

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 5. Diligence: being a machine computer does not suffer from human traits of
tiredness and lack of concentration. A computer can perform n number of
calculations continuously with the same accuracy and speed.

Computers in Research
The computers indispensable throughout the research process. The role of
are

omputer becomes more important when the research is on a large sample. Data can
pe stored in computers for immediate use or can be stored in auxiliary memories like
loppy discs, compact discs, universal serial buses (pen drives) or memory cards, so
hat the same can be retrieved later. The computers assist the researcher
throughout
Jifferent phases of research process.

Phases of Research Process

There are five
major phases of the research process. They are:
1) Conceptual phase
2) Design and planning phase
3) Empirical phase
4) Analytic phase and
5) Dissemination phase

1) Role of Computer in
Conceptual Phase
The conceptual phase consists of formulation of
iterature, theoretical research problem, review of
frame work and
formulation of
hypothesis.
Role of
Computers in
Literature Review:
iteratures (for review of Computers help for searching the
literature) and
bibliographic references stored in the
electronic databases of the world wide webs. It canthus be used for
oublished articles to be retrieved whenever storing relevant
needed. This has the
searching the literatures in the form of books, journals advantage over
ibraries which consume and other news
considerable amount of time and
letters at the
effort.

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2) Role of Computers in Design and planning phase

of research design, population, research
Design and planning phase consist
variables, sampling plan, reviewing research plan and pilot study.

Role of Computers for Sample Size Calculation: Several softwares are

available to calculate the sample size required for a proposed study. NCSS-PASS
GESS is such software. The standard deviation of the data from the pilot study is
required for the sample size calculation.

3) Role of Computers in Empirical phase

Empirical phase consist of collecting and preparing the data for analysis.

Data Storage: The data obtained from the subjects are stored in computers as word
files or excel spread sheets. This has the
advantage of making necessary corrections
or editing the whole
layout of the tables if needed, which is impossible or
time
consuming incase of writing in papers. Thus, computers help in data
editing, data management including follow
entry, data
up actions etc. Computers also allow
for
greater flexibility in recording the data while
they are collected as well as grater ease
during the analysis of these data.
In research
studies, the preparation and
inputting data is the most
intensive and time
consuming aspect of the work. labor
recorded on a Typically the data will be initially
questionnaire or record form suitable for its
To do this the
researcher in conjunction with acceptance by the computer.
convert the data into the statistician and the
Microsoft word file or excel programmer, will
directly opened with statistical spreadsheet. These spreadsheets can be-
softwares for analysis.
4) Role of
Computers in Data Analysis
This phase consist of statistical analysis
results. of the data
and
Data interpretation o
Analysis: Many softwares are
of the now available
research process i.e. to
perform the
the calculations using various 'mathematical part
statistical methods
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Softwares like SPSS, NCSS-PASS, STATA and Sysat are some of the widely used.

They can belike calculating the sample size for a proposed study, hypothesis testing
and calculating the power of the study. Familiarity with any one package will suffice to
carry out the most intricate statistical analyses.
Computers are useful not only for statistical analyses, but also to monitor the
accuracy and completeness of the data as they are collected.

5) Role of Computers in Research Dissemination

This phase is the publication of the research
study.
Research publishing: The research article is
typed in word format and converted to
portable data format (PDF) and stored and/or published in the World
Wide Web.

FURTHER USES OF COMPUTERS

Medical record linkage in
longitudinal studies: In a more comprehensive
medical record linkage way
provides continuous record of individual
death, including illnesses patients from birth to
use of
hospitalization, operation, allergies and so
Prior to the on.
computers, the linking together of different events in
an individual's
case history was
extremely difficult. Individual events medical
stay in hospital, etc.) were, and (treatment by family doctor,
indeed usually still
different locations with no are, recorded
systematic separately at
a case procedures
history into a single record. With
to bring
together these elements of
linking becomes more computer based
feasible, medical records can be recording systems, such
information stored put to better use and
efficiently; moreover, this
than before.
Cumulative files for individuals information can be retrieved more rapidly
can be
groups, socio-economic categories, compiled and assembled into
studies, which involve
and so on, for
purposes of
family
following up a analysis. Longitudinal
a well established application of the given group of
cohort over a
period of
and concept of medical record time, are
comprehensive computerized databases linkage, and the large
up a wide range of
potential research studies.established through record linkage
For open
performing Meta-analysis
systematic reviews and
are
graded as the level I
systematic reviews: The results
evidence. These are from
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is made easy by the use of

meta-analysis of the data from various studies. This
specializedsoftwares for the purpose. This will be a mammoth task without a

computer.
For performing Rasch analysis: Many sophisticated softwares are available to
analyse the psychometric properties of various outcome measures and performing
a rasch analysis with the help of computers.

A Note of Caution

The above
description indicates clearly the usefulness of computer throughout the
research process. Researchers using
computers make their work faster with more
accuracy and greater reliability. The developments
taking place in the technology will
further enhance and facilitate the use of computers for researchers.
In spite of all these
sophistications it is wise to remember that a
computer is
a tool and a resource. It can
just
only calculate orobey commands and cannot think. If
the methods of
handling the data are to be
applied efficiently, adequate planning and
suitable organisation is
necessary. No facility can
replace this
Further, it would be aspect of planning.
a disaster to replace the
how statistician by a
computer,
powerful, since statistical analyses no matter
are built on sound
implementation and
handling of exigencies in data
of design, principles
expertise of a qualified statistician. collection, all of which require the
The human
continue to be so for ever. brain remains
supreme and will

Conclusion
To
conclude, computers
are useful
and faster with tools that make the
accuracy and greater research process easier
the
computer operator should reliability and fewer errors. The
have a
limitations of the softwares thorough knowledge about theprogrammer or
used for better abilities and
use of
computers.

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