1. Research
Chung-Kuan Cheng

2. Research Techniques:
Scopes
Goals
Methods
Tools
Results
CSE 246

3. Scopes What is the problem? Where is the problem?
How to solve the problem?
CSE 246

4. Goals Aim high: Significant Impact Set the target for (3-5 yrs)
Don’t stop at incremental improvements
Set the target for (3-5 yrs)
Given unlimited resources, what could we achieve in five years?
Would we be happy if we get to achieve our goals?
CSE 246

5. Why is impact important?
Computers are tools
Computers impact our daily lives
Moore’s Law
CSE 246

6. Why not long-term research?
No target
No map
No money
Too boring
No IMPACT
CSE 246

7. Methods Simplify Start from simplest non-trivial cases
Aim high, but start low
Be exhaustive on the approaches
View the problem from different angles
Find the niches
Identify the strengths
CSE 246

8. Tools Networking Attitude Parallel Processing External
Internal (Adviser)
Attitude
Parallel Processing
CSE 246

9. External Networking Web search Contact the leaders
IEEE, ACM, research inst., schools, awards
Identify the leaders of the field
Contact the leaders
Discuss ideas
Obtain benchmarks & packages
The experts of the field will provide feedbacks
CSE 246

10. Advantages of an Adviser
Apprentice system
Authority in the field
Encouragement
Scheduling
Collaboration
CSE 246

11. The Nature of Research 3-5 years Can be hard
Not much light in the beginning
Adviser provides encouragement
CSE 246

12. Chemistry Must have good chemistry with Adviser
What if there is bad chemistry?
Cannot change the other person
Change self to match his style
As a last resort, try someone else
CSE 246

13. No Negative Attitudes
If I tried six different things, and nothing worked, how can I not be negative?
If it worked too soon, it would not be research
If part of it works right away, then you are lucky
AQ is one key ingredient of the success.
CSE 246

14. Parallel Processing Work in parallel, pipeline
More productive
Uses all parts of the mind
Dream about the research
CSE 246

15. Results
Experiments:
Plan ahead
Conjectures
CSE 246