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As You Begin Your Research … Diljit Singh. 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? … … …. Preparing for the Journey. How Are You Starting?. How Are You Starting?. How Are You Starting?. or.
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As You Begin Your Research … Diljit Singh
Where am I going? Why am I going? Who is going? When am I going? How am I going? What do I need? … … … Preparing for the Journey
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.
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 lecturer Candidate 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