As You Begin Your Research … Diljit Singh. Preparing for the Journey.

As You Begin Your Research …

Diljit Singh

Preparing for the Journey

Preparing for the Journey

• Where am I going?• Why am I going?• Who is going?• When am I going?• How am I going?• What do I need?• …• …• …

How Are You Starting?

How Are You Starting?

How Are You Starting?

or

How Do You Intend to Finish?

How Do You Intend to Finish?

How Do You Intend to Finish?

or

Start well, finish strong

A good beginning is half completion

The seeds of success are sown right at the start,

as are the seeds of failure.

Start well Finish successfully

You Want to be Successful at the End

You Want to be Successful at the End

Outline of Presentation

• Importance of good research

• The need to start well

• Type of research should you be doing

• Resources to help you with your research

• Having a successful professional relationship with your supervisor

• Successfully completing your research

Importance of Good Research

Scenario 1• Applications open for PhD, scholarship available

Candidate A: Graduate of University of ABC CGPA : 3.5 Lecturer’s recommendation: Good Papers published: 1 local conference

Candidate B: Graduate of XYZ University CGPA : 3.5 Lecturer’s recommendation: Good Papers published: 1 local conference, 1 international conference, 2

journal papers (incl 1 ISI journal paper)

• Who should get the place for the PhD?

Importance of Good Research

Scenario 2• Your are Head of Department of Computer Science, University DEF,

and have the opportunity to employ a new lecturerCandidate A: PhD holder Finished PhD in 3 years Supervisor's recommendation: Good Papers published: 3 conference papers, 2 journal papers, No of times papers have been cited: 8

Candidate B: PhD holder Finished PhD in 5 years Lecturer’s recommendation: Good Papers published: 3 conference papers, 2 journal papers, No of times papers have been cited: 0

• Whom would you employ?

Importance of Good Research

• Enhance personal reputation

• Enhance university reputation

• Better job / promotion prospects

• More satisfying experience

• Less use of resources

Importance of Good Research

• Research output plays an important part in university rankings

• UM aims to be among the top 100 by 2013

The Need to Start Well

Start well, finish strong

A good beginning is half completion

The seeds of success are sown right at the start,

as are the seeds of failure.

The Need to Start Well

• Start by doing what is necessary;

then do what is possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible. St. Francis

of Assisi

Starting Your Research

• Research involves Identifying a research area and topic Identifying a problem and research question(s) Linking your research to the work of others Collecting and analyzing data /

Developing a system Drawing your conclusions Communicating your findings

• If you have not already started, start today

Types of Research

• Research that is of interest to you

• Research in emerging areas

• Research that can be published

• Research that leads to citations

Starting Your Research

• Choose an area that really interests you You have to sustain your interest for 6 - 12 months

(maybe more)

• Read widely about the topic

• Develop a bibliography of research resources related to topic Install EndNote on to your computer (can be

downloaded free from http://ict.um.edu.my/); attend UM Library training workshop if necessary

Starting Your Research

• Develop a bibliography of research resources related to topic Search Google scholar, Library databases, Web of

Science; use forward and backward chaining Focus on journal articles, theses and dissertations,

conference papers; minimize books and .com web sites Search also Conferences and Call for Papers to identify

topics of current interest Identify research groups and key people in your area,

look at their web sites

• Identify ‘hot’ research topics - important for publication later on

Starting Your Research

• What are ‘hot topics’? New research areas Areas of focus by academia, industry, nation

• How to identify ‘hot topics’ Look at conference ‘Call for Papers’ Attend conferences, network with people Look at top journals

Starting Your Research

• Read at least 20 – 25 journal articles, theses and dissertations, conference papers

• Develop a brief proposal (5-10 pages), introduction, statement of problem, objectives, brief

literature review, methodology, significance of research

• Discuss it proposal with potential Supervisor

Starting Your Research

• Refine proposal, or find a new Supervisor

• Get commitment from Supervisor

• Submit form to Office, indicating research area and name of Supervisor

Types of Research

• Research that is of interest to you

• Research that can be published

• Research in emerging areas

• Research that leads to citations

Professional Relationships

• Keeping a good professional relationship With your Supervisor

Get to know him / her well Know his expectations Keep him informed

Follow his / her advice, but know when to differ

With your mentor(s)

With professional colleagues (other students)

Resources for Your Research

• Supervisor• Colleagues / peers in UM• Colleagues / peers internationally

• Equipment

• Finances

• Library resources

Succeeding in Your Research

• Prepare yourself Intellectually Emotionally Socially Physically Financially

Plan Your Research

• Set a goal to complete

I shall successfully complete my

…………………….(name of degree)

by

……….………. Month Year

…………… Signature

Plan Your Research

• Plan your activities

• Aim to do some work every day, at least 30 minutes

Plan Your Research

• Write out your proposal

• Apply for funding PPP From UM, e.g. IPPP http://www.ippp.um.edu.my/

Max. RM 30,000 for full research students, RM 10,000 for coursework + dissertation students

From outside UM, e.g. eScience, industry

Keep to Your Plan

• Keep a record of your activities

Keep to Your Plan

• Learn from others Join discussion groups, attend seminars, …

• Get help From Supervisor, other lecturers, seniors, peers,

friends, online friends (Facebook, …)

• Keep your Supervisor informed Submit a weekly progress report, irrespective of

whether your get feedback or not

• Be aware of University policies 3-month notice of submission, format for thesis, no

plagiarism, etc.

Evaluation of Your Research

• Self evaluation

• Peer evaluation

• Supervisor evaluation

• Evaluation by examiners

• Evaluation by professionals

Evaluation of Your Research

• Evaluation by examiners Research contribution

Significance Innovative

Content Sections ‘Flow’ of sections

Presentation Language Format

To Summarize

• What type of research should you be doing?

• Where can you get resources to help you with your research?

• How can you have a successful professional relationship?

• What do you need to successfully complete your research?

• What do examiners look for in your research?

Remember

1. If you have not started yet, start today

2. Plan your research

3. Get the resources (supervisor, equipment, readings, time, money, etc.), but don’t wait until everything is perfect

4. Keep to your plan

5. Get help where necessary

Good luck !

Q & A