Abstract

The field of computing is made up of several disciplines of which Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Systems are arguably three of the primary ones. Despite the fact that each discipline has a specific focus, there is also considerable overlap. Knowledge sharing, however, is becoming increasingly difficult as the body of knowledge in each discipline increases and specialization results. For effective knowledge sharing, it is therefore important to have a unified classification system by means of which the bodies of knowledge that constitute the field may be compared and contrasted. This paper presents a multi-faceted system based on five research-focused characteristics: topic, approach, method, unit of analysis, and reference discipline. The classification system was designed based on the requirements for effective classification systems, and was then used to investigate these five characteristics of research in the computing field.

Keywords: Classification system; Computing; Research method; Research approach; Reference discipline; Unit of analysis

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. Existing computing classification systems

2.1. Computer Science

2.2. Software engineering

2.3. Information systems

2.4. Summary

3. Characteristics of classification systems

3.1. What is classification?

3.2. Developing a classification system

3.2.1. Purpose of the classification

3.2.2. Criteria for classification

3.2.3. Method for classification

4. A unified classification system for computing research

4.1. Classifying topic

4.2. Classifying research approach

4.3. Classifying research method

4.4. Classifying unit/level of analysis

4.5. Classifying reference discipline

5. Testing the classification system

6. Conclusion and implications

References