CS6023 Research Methods
Chapter 3--Project Preparation
Rich Halstead-Nussloch
3 February and 7 July 1999
Agenda--Preparing the Research Project
Why read? Why prepare?
Identifying requirements (put into checklist)
Developing and refining information goals
Reading background information
Finding holes in information and knowledge
Iteration and methodology
Study work plan
Research log and project log
Why read? Why prepare?
In science there is no "proof"
In science we accept knowledge until demonstrated otherwise.
In science, we have converging evidence
In research, there is a 60 to 1 payback for preparation--One hour gets you sixty!
Identifying Requirements
Read the Final Project Requirements
What are features of the product(s)?
How many requirements are there?
Describe the deliverables?
Finish the checklist, page 40
Information Goals
Critical step
State an information goal of interest to you for your final project (page 41)
What type of goal is it? (Question, thesis, or hypothesis)
How might you refine it?
Read Background Information
Don’t reinvent the wheel
Contribute to converging evidence
Make sure you read appropriate to your information goal(s)
State selection criteria for your reading (page 41)
Reading questionnaire and reading log
Finding Holes in the Information and Knowledge
Keep up your reading log
Periodically, review your findings and their impact on your information goal(s)
Holes should become apparent
Iteration and Methodology
Research and the preparation phase are iterative.
Keeping the logs helps (research log, reading log, and project log).
A formal change process helps too--You can change post-proposal via email change request.
Write a method section early (page 43).
Study Work Plan
Keeps everybody, including you, on track
Title and project objectives (page 44 & 45)
Project requirements (your checklist)
Information goal(s) (page 46)
Study design (page 43)
Project milestone schedule (page 46 & 47)
Change process (page 48, use email)
Where we are. or Where are we?
Reading and Writing (logs and plans)
Levels of scientific thinking (page 50)
Ideas--Information goals
Data--Obtained through measurement
Findings--Obtained by other researchers
Information
Knowledge
Summary--Preparing the Research Project
Why read? Why prepare?
Identifying requirements (put into checklist)
Developing and refining information goals
Reading background information
Finding holes in information and knowledge
Iteration and methodology
Study work plan
Research log and project log