Finding a Research Topic

1. Finding a Research Topic Anirban Banerjee and Michalis Faloutsos, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California at Riverside April 12, 2006

2. Problem Addressed • How to identify a research area that is both interesting and exciting for you. April 12, 2006

3. Outline • Problem addressed • The “Right” Research Topic • Identifying your Preferences • Interacting with people • Recap April 12, 2006

4. The “Right” Research Topic • A field that compliments • Your personal preferences. • Your technical strengths. • The professional profile which you foresee for yourself after your PhD. • Makes you feel like waking up each morning and getting to work as soon as possible. April 12, 2006

5. Characteristics of the “Right” Research Topic • Interesting for you • Well specified • Can you explain it in 3 lines, 1 paragraph, 1 page? • Scope for your contribution • Ask What needs to be done, not what can I do • Will people care? • Do your best, and people usually start to notice. April 12, 2006

6. Outline • Problem addressed • The “Right” Research Topic • Identifying your Preferences • Interacting with people • Recap April 12, 2006

7. Identifying your Preferences • Are you interested in Theory or Implementation, perhaps visionary work? • Expand your horizons • Take courses to get an idea of different areas • Take up projects • Read Tech. Journals and articles April 12, 2006

8. Identifying your Preferences • Out of all the choices • Which one gets you most interested • Which one seems to be “cool” to you • Read more on that area • You will finally identify your area of choice. April 12, 2006

9. Doing research is a Continuous Process • Cycles of expanding and focus • Try to narrow things down in each cycle • From a boring/done topic -> new dimensions • A balance between in trying an idea/direction • Giving up too easily • Persisting on a dead-end • Tip: often you can apply your current skills to a new problem formulation April 12, 2006

10. Optimistic view • Good things happen to people that try • However, keep your ears open • Take advantage of opportunities • Establish collaborations with people • See what industry wants (internships) April 12, 2006

11. Outline • Problem addressed • The “Right” Research Topic • Identifying your Preferences • Interacting with people • Recap April 12, 2006

12. Interacting with people • There is no substitute to interacting with people. • Talk to your advisor. • Talk to fellow students • Talk with people who are actively working in your area of interest • Talk to few professors in other research areas • Sometimes a completely different viewpoint is helpful April 12, 2006

13. Caution • Listen to and consider what people say • Don’t change topics every time you talk to someone April 12, 2006

14. Outline • Problem addressed • The “Right” Research Topic • Identifying your Preferences • Interacting with people • Conclusion April 12, 2006

15. Outline • Problem addressed • The “Right” Research Topic • Identifying your Preferences • Interacting with people • Conclusion April 12, 2006

16. Conclusion • Be positive and proactive. • Repeat cycle to select your topic your interest. • Talk to advisor, students and people working in your area of interest. • You must be persistent and finally commit at some point. • Just keep in mind: There is no magic recipe. April 12, 2006

17. Good Luck! April 12, 2006