Shaping a research project How a potential research topic is shaped into a concrete project depends on context Experienced scientists aiming to write a paper on a subject of mutual interest tend to be fairly focused they quickly design a series of experiment or theoretical goals investigate the relevant literature, and set deadlines
Shaping a research project • How a potential research topic is shaped into a concrete project depends on context. • Experienced scientists aiming to write a paper on a subject of mutual interest tend to be fairly focused: • they quickly design a series of experiment • or theoretical goals, investigate the relevant literature, and set deadlines
Finding research literature Each research project builds on a body of prior work The doing and describing of research requires a thorough knowledge of the work of others Google obvious search terms Visit the web sites of research groups and researchers working in the area Follow up references in research papers Browse the recent issues of the journals and conferences in the area
Finding research Literature • Each research project builds on a body of prior work • The doing and describing of research requires a thorough knowledge of the work of Others. – Google obvious search terms – Visit the web sites of research groups and researchers working in the area – Follow up references in research papers – Browse the recent issues of the journals and conferences in the area
Finding research Literature Search other journals and conferences that might carry relevant papers Search the publisher-specific digital libraries Check the program in a conference web site to find relevant papers Use the citation indexes
Finding research Literature • Search other journals and conferences that might carry relevant papers • Search the publisher-specific digital libraries. • Check the program in a conference web site to find relevant papers • Use the citation indexes
Reading What is the main result? How precise are the claims? How could the outcomes be used? · What is the evidence? How was the evidence gathered? How were measurements taken? How carefully are the algorithms and experiments described? Why is the paper trustworthy? Has the right background literature been discussed? What would reproduction of the results involve?
Reading • What is the main result? • How precise are the claims? • How could the outcomes be used? • What is the evidence? • How was the evidence gathered? • How were measurements taken? • How carefully are the algorithms and experiments described? • Why is the paper trustworthy? • Has the right background literature been discussed? • What would reproduction of the results involve?
Research planning Project Milestones ypical steps: download some code or implement something then experiment, then write up Each stage takes longer than anticipated the time for write-up is compressed It is a mistake to implement a complete system rather than ask what code is needed to explore the research questions
Research planning • Project Milestones • Typical steps: download some code or implement something, then experiment, then write up. – Each stage takes longer than anticipated, the time for write-up is compressed – It is a mistake to implement a complete system rather than ask what code is needed to explore the research questions