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Research Challenges - Characteristics of a Good Researcher

Adjunct Professor Talk at FKEE, UTHM on May 19, 2015 to undegrad, postgrad and staffs.

mazlanabbas
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Research Challenges - Characteristics of a Good Researcher

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  1. RESEARCH CHALLENGES – CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCHER Dr. Mazlan Abbas CEO – REDtone IOT Sdn Bhd Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  2. THE NOTION THAT GENIUSES GO AWAY AND THINK UP ONE GREAT IDEA IS ABSURD. •  Remember that Thomas Edison was famous for running thousands of experiments of his ideas before he and his team came up with a working light bulb. •  Therefore, you need to create an environment where people are given the opportunity to: –  Brainstorm, vet, champion ideas and projects that may fail and yet not punish them for failing. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  3. Research Challenges Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  4. RESEARCH “MISUNDERSTANDING” •  How Long Does It Take? •  What’s the Difference Between Masters and PhD? •  Why Problem Definition Takes A Long Time? •  How Do We Manage Researchers? •  Why “Research” Approach is Different From “Development”? •  What are the characteristics of a Good Researcher? Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  5. SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION OF “RESEARCH” •  The strict definition of scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. •  Finding a definitive answer is the central goal of any experimental process. •  Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol. These rules are broadly similar but may vary slightly between the different fields of science. •  Scientific research must be organized and undergo planning, including performing literature reviews of past research and evaluating what questions need to be answered. •  Any type of ‘real’ research, whether scientific, economic or historical, requires some kind of interpretation and an opinion from the researcher. This opinion is the underlying principle, or question, that establishes the nature and type of experiment. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  6. WHAT IS BASIC RESEARCH? •  Basic research also known as fundamental or pure research is driven by a scientist’s curiosity or interest in a question. The main motivation of this type of research is:- •  To expand man’s knowledge of the world and not to invent or create something new. •  There is no obvious commercial value in research of this type. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  7. WHAT IS BASIC RESEARCH? •  Basic science research includes answers to such questions as: –  How did the universe begin? –  How has the brain evolved over time? –  How does DNA determine who we are? –  What is the specific genetic code of an earth worm? –  What are protons, neutrons and electrons made of? Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  8. WHAT IS APPLIED RESEARCH? Applied research is designed to the practical problems that exist in the modern world, rather than to just acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake. One main goal of applied science is to improve human conditions and make the world a better place. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  9. WHAT IS APPLIED RESEARCH? Applied science may investigate ways to: •  improve agricultural crop production •  get better network throughput •  find alternative routing solutions •  treat or cure a specific disease •  improve the energy efficiency of homes Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  10. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEGREE, MASTERS AND PHD’S WORK? [Source: “The Illustrated Guide to a PhD” by Matt Might] Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  11. Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  12. By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  13. By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  14. With a bachelor's degree, you gain a specialty: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  15. A master's degree deepens that specialty: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  16. Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  17. Once you're at the boundary, you focus: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  18. You push at the boundary for a few years: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  19. Until one day, the boundary gives way: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  20. And, that dent you've made is called a Ph.D.: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  21. Of course, the world looks different to you now: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  22. So, don't forget the bigger picture: Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  23. Activity Establish Context Detail Tasks Literature Review Problem Definition Scope of Research Mathematical Modeling Simulation Experimental Timeframe 3-6 months (MSc-PhD) Select & Design Methods 3-6 months Undertake Research 3-6 months New mathematical theory New programming language New simulation tool Acquisition and trials test-bed Testing of Model Analysis & Validation Create Output 6-12 months 3-6 months Thesis Technical report Review & Evaluate < 3 months Publication Conference VIVA Note: On average = Masters (2 years to complete) and PhD (3-6 years to complete) Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  24. HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM? [Excerpts from the Article “How To Choose a Good Scientific Problem” by Uri Alon] Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  25. Choosing good problem is essential for being a good researcher. But what is a good problem, and how do you choose one? Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  26. THE FEASIBILITY-INTEREST DIAGRAM FOR CHOOSING A PROJECT Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  27. THE FEASIBILITY-INTEREST DIAGRAM FOR CHOOSING A PROJECT Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  28. TAKE YOUR TIME •  A common mistake made in choosing problems is taking the first problem that comes to mind. •  Since a typical project takes years even it if seems doable in months, rapid choice leads to much frustration and bitterness in our profession. •  It takes time to find a good problem, and every week spent in choosing one can save months or years later on. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  29. TAKE YOUR TIME In my lab, we have a rule for new students and postdocs: Do not commit to a problem before 3 months have elapsed. In these 3 months the new student or postdoc reads, discusses, and plans. The state of mind is focused on being rather than doing. The temptation to start working arises, but a rule is a rule. After 3 months (or more), a celebration marks the beginning of the research phase—with a well-planned project. Taking time is not always easy. One must be supported to resist the urge: ‘‘Oh, we must produce—let’s not waste time, and start working.’’ Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  30. THE SUBJECTIVITY OF THE INTEREST AXIS •  Who decides how to rank the interest of problems? •  One of the fundamental aspects of science is that the interest of a problem is subjective and personal. •  The inner voice can be strengthened and guided if one is lucky enough to have caring mentors. •  A researcher often needs a supportive environment to begin to listen to this voice. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  31. THE SUBJECTIVITY OF THE INTEREST AXIS •  Good test: –  One way to help listening to the inner voice is to ask: ‘‘If I was the only person on earth, which of these problems would I work on?’’ An honest answer can help minimize compromises. •  Another good sign of the inner voice are ideas and questions that come back again and again to your mind for months or years. •  Another good test: –  When asked to describe our research to an acquaintance, how does it feel to describe each project? –  In science, the more you interest yourself, the larger the probability that you will interest your audience. Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  32. THE OBJECTIVE AND NURTURING SCHEMAS OF RESEARCH The mentors’ task is to support students through the cloud that seems to guard the entry into the unknown. And, with this schema, we have more space to see that problem C exists and may be more worthwhile than continuing to plod toward B. “Sailing into the unknown again and again takes courage” Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  33. IP LANDSCAPE USING THOMSON INNOVATION TOOL Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  34. RESEARCH APPROACHES (1) Mathematical Modeling (2) Simulation (3) Experimental Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  35. Mathematical Modeling Fast, easily define upper and lower bound Complex mathematics, need programming Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  36. Network Model Simulation Scalable, Flexible Assumptions must be accurate Time consuming Either self-programming or using simulation tool Expensive (?) Traffic Model Packet Scheduling Model Performance Results Algorithm Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  37. Experimental Accurate, real results Time consuming, expensive, not scalable Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  38. Intellectual Properties (IPs) Architecture / Systems / Methods Is it Worth A Masters or PhD Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  39. THE NEED FOR DEGREE, MASTERS AND PHD IN A RESEARCH GROUP Support test-bed setup Simple experiment and Data Collection Some simple application programming Degree Support experimental work (advanced) Simulation to proof the concept/ideas Masters Mathematical modeling Develop Simulation model Co-generate and test new ideas PhD Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  40. How Do We Manage Researchers? Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  41. RESEARCHERS EXPECTATIONS Breathing space •  Need time to think to be creative. Understanding Short and Long Term •  Knowledge always starts anew in every project. Impact of “Killing A Project” •  We can kill a Product or Project but be careful in killing a “Research” since it will “wipe out” knowledge. Quest for Knowledge •  Never ending journey to the Frontiers of Knowledge •  Finding new challenges •  Recognition in their area of expertise •  •  •  •  Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  42. Failure doesn't mean you are a failure... it just means you haven't succeeded yet Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  43. Light At the End of The Tunnel PhD is not all about the novelty achieved but it’s the Systematic Process of Doing Research that’s the utmost important. “Research” Working with the “Unknown” “Development” Working with “Known” Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  44. Researchers’ Challenges (But who appreciates people working with the Unknown?) Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  45. VALLEY OF APPRECIATION – THE CHALLENGE Viewing Angle Application Layer Presentation Layer Management Session Layer Transport Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer Researcher Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  46. How Deep to Explore? “Breadth” or “Depth” of Research Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  47. The Need for Research Group and Vision To Go Deeper … You Need a Platform Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  48. Cave Explorer Explorer’s Risk Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  49. Do We Reward the “Cave Explorer”? Unstoppable Effort Taking High Risks Venture into the Unknown Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

  50. One More Thing Copyright  ©  RIOT  2015  All  Rights  Reserved  

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