1. General Advice on CSE Research* Bharat Jayaraman CSE Department
University at Buffalo
* compiled from many sources

2. Outline of Talk CSE Department Research Faculty Research Activities
Doctoral Research
Research Strategies
Qualities of a Researcher
Online Resources

3. What is Research Systematic Study or Inquiry
Leading to new knowledge or theory, or creation of a new artifact, process, etc.
Goal of research is to advance a field, be it science, engineering, or the arts.

4. 1. CSE Department Research
Core Areas:
Algorithms & Theory
Artificial Intelligence
Systems (SW/HW)
Lots of multidisciplinary interests

5. Multidisciplinary Research
Other Engineering
Departments
Bioinformatics
Pharmacy
Public Health
Math, Chemistry,
Biology, Geography
CSE
Media Studies, Communication
Management, Law
Linguistics, Philosophy
Psychology, Anthropology

6. 2. Faculty Activities
Teaching
Research
Service

7. Faculty Research Activities
Perform research (more on this later)
Publish journal and conference papers
Speak at conferences and other institutions
Secure external research funding
Manage research groups

8. Faculty Service Activities
Serve as reviewer of papers, proposals
Serve on conference committees
Serve on journal editorial boards
Serve on national boards and panels

9. 3. Doctoral Research Develop an interest in an area, by finding out
what are the major open problems;
what are the major research groups;
what are the major conferences and journals
Identify and meet regularly with research advisor
Take advanced courses, build technical strength
Attend and present at research group meetings
Write and submit papers to conferences/journals
Attend conferences and workshops.

10. Major Steps for PhD in CSE
Qualifying Process (coursework)
Major Professor Selection
Dissertation Committee
Dissertation Research Proposal
Dissertation Completion
Dissertation Defense
Ph.D. degree

11. Outline of Research Proposal
Problem and its Significance
Related Research
Proposed Approach to Problem
Results Obtained to Date
Remaining Research
Expected Contributions

12. Good Research Problem Important (and interesting)
Related to other problems
Not easily solved
Can be solved
Can be solved by you
Leads to new research

13. Some Grand Challenges P = NP? Machines that learn Secure systems
Ultra-fast computers …
Grand challenges provide high-level
motivation for one’s research. They
often require multidisciplinary approach.

14. 4. Research Strategies Motivation is “top-down”
Execution is “bottom-up”
Identify specific problem
Study related work thoroughly
Must be able to present your work in the light of what is known, highlighting your contributions

15. Literature Search
Read papers from the top conferences, journals, and researchers
Read “actively” and identify possible areas of further work
Write a para on each paper giving the main points – this may go into thesis
Consider writing a survey paper from the literature search

16. The Hourglass Model* *

17. When a problem is very hard
Formulate a simpler problem, solve it, and write it up – this may be substantial enough for a first publication! Then try to extend solution.
E.g. The difficulty of general program verification in ‘70’s led to research on model checking of finite-state systems in ‘80’s, which became practical for hardware verification.

18. Cross Fertilization
Techniques in one area often have applicability in other areas.
E.g. Hardware Verification via Software Testing; Spam Detection via Machine Learning; Program Debugging using Temporal Databases.
National Science Foundation has funding for “Cross-Cutting Programs”

19. Details are important
Getting the fine details correct is extremely important in research.
Sometimes, this can make or break a major finding, especially a theorem.
In 2010, there was a purported proof that P != NP. But upon inspection of the details, it was found to be wrong.

20. “Negative results” are useful
It takes time for ideas to crystallize.
Sometimes, the search for the right solution involves going down unproductive paths.
Be on the look-out for “negative” results, i.e., proving that a problem cannot be solved is also useful.

21. 5. Qualities of a Good Researcher
Logical Thinking and Ability to Abstract
Creative, Innovative
Attentive to Details
Well-informed, has broad background
Communication Skills
Passionate
Perseverance
Take success/failure in stride

22. Qualities of a Good Advisor
Has research interests in common with you
Has a national or international reputation
Has directed students in the past
Has a reputation as fair and reasonable
Has an active research group
Has grant support for research
Is someone you like and admire

23. 6. Research Resources Research Advisor Texts, research monographs
Journals, conference proceedings
How to improve one’s writing
Many online resources available today.

24. Parable of the Black Belt
After years of hard work, the student appears before his master who asks one final question:
"What is the true meaning of the black belt?“
"The end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved reward for all my hard work."
“You are not ready for the black belt,” says the master, “return after one year!”

25. Parable of the Black Belt
After another year of hard work, the student appears before his master who again asks:
"What is the true meaning of the black belt?“
"A symbol of distinction,” says the student, “the highest achievement in our art."
“You are not ready for the black belt,” says the master, “return after one year!”

26. Parable of the Black Belt
After another year of hard work, the student appears before his master who again asks the same question. Now the student replies:
"The black belt is just the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, hard work, and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard."
“You are now ready for the black belt,” says the master, “go and get started on your work!”

27. Notes for Future Use Knowledge Tree – where are you extending the tree
2. Math/Science/Engg – what type of
research and approaches within each
3. When you have difficulty reading a
paper – what to do.