Transcript PowerPoint Presentation - Department of Computer Science and

Research Methods
Introduction to Research Methods
www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/research/research_methods.html
Prof. Mark Levene
Email: [email protected]
Home:www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/~mark
Research Methods
Research Methods
Why are you Doing a PhD?
• There is no one answer,
– there are many good reasons, but
– there are also many bad reasons.
• You will have to be super motivated for a
long time with no immediate reward !
Research Methods
The PhD Programme
• www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/research/phdbbk_public.html
• Phase 1: Learn how to do research
– Survey the field
– Do a mini project
• Phase II: What will your contribution be?
• Phase III: Make the contribution
• Phase IV: Write-up the thesis
Research Methods
Types of PhD in Computing
• Theoretical
– The Nested Universal Relation Data Model
• Simulation and Experimentation based
– Data Mining Model to Capture User Navigation
• Application based
– Scheduled Planned Maintenance of the National Grid
using Genetic Algorithms
• Implementation based
– Extending SQL to Order Relations
Research Methods
How to Get a PhD - Tips
• You will have to work hard but doing
research is fun!
• You need to be realistic about your abilities!
• You need to keep the goal in mind at all
times!
• Planning is important!
• Use the mechanisms we put in place!
Research Methods
Relationship with Supervisors
• Supervision is a two-way relationship
• The supervisor has his/her responsibilities
to you, but
• your supervisor is probably busy and
overworked, so it helps to create a dialogue
with him/her and get them involved !
• Make use of your 2nd supervisor to get
additional feedback/advice
Research Methods
Time Management
• There is a big difference between full-time
and part-time study.
• FT – treat your PhD as a job !
• PT – you must put aside time, as you now
have two jobs !
• Plan your week.
Research Methods
Publishing
• You get writing practice.
• You get independent feedback.
• You get a chance to deliver your paper,
meet researchers and get others excited.
• The amount you publish during your PhD
depends on many factors, it is highly
recommended !
Research Methods
The Wider Community
• The research group you are in
• The school
• The research community within your area
• Get to know your fellow students
• Attend seminars
• Keep up-to-date with your research area
Research Methods
Resources and Tools
• What tools do you need ?
– E.g. Java, C#, Matlab, SPSS, Oracle …
• On-line resources
– Much of the material you need can be
downloaded.
• Good old-fashioned books !
• Document production - Word or Latex ?
• Share information with your fellow students
Research Methods
Having a Grounding in Computer Science
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Programming
Data Structures and Algorithms
Automata Theory and Logic
Computational Complexity
Statistics
Artificial Intelligence
Research Methods
Career Development – What Next?
• Teaching
• Research
• Software Management
Research Methods
Recommended Book
• How to get a PhD by Phillips and Pugh
• See Amazon for similar books !
• The rest of the lectures are more specific.