Outside Thinking the Box:
Part 2: An informal discussion of research methodology is not necessarily contained to only engineering topics o or only to phd work, but mostly with that perspective.
Thinking
Part 1: Viktor Prasanna Part 2: Michael J. Neely
First an example: Tutoring in math
Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16.
Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16.
Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16.
Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1 2 3 4
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
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5/(2/3) = 15/2
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
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5/(2/3) = 15/2
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2/(-2/-3) = 2/(2/3) 2/(2/-1) = 2/-2 = 6/2 = 3 = -1
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
2
5/(2/3) = 15/2
3
4
2/(-2/-3) = 2/(2/3) 2/(2/-1) = 2/-2 = 6/2 = 3 = -1
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5/3 + 1 = 5/3 + 3/3 = 8/3
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3x + 2 = 4 3x = 2 x = 2/3
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
2
5/(2/3) = 15/2
3
4
2/(-2/-3) = 2/(2/3) 2/(2/-1) = 2/-2 = 6/2 = 3 = -1
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5/3 + 1 = 5/3 + 3/3 = 8/3
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3x + 2 = 4 3x = 2 x = 2/3 2x+2= 3 2x = 1
7 3x + 2 = 5
3x = 3 x = 3/3 = 1
8 3x + 1 = 1
3x = 0 x =0
9 2x + 2 = 6
2x = 4 x=2
10 (2x + 2)/3 = 1 11word problem 12 14 15 16
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Joe Pasadena, Homeroom 103 Math Homework. Grade 6. Mrs. Smith. Page 15 of math book, questions #1-16. 1
5/(2*3) = 5/6
2
5/(2/3) = 15/2
3
4
2/(-2/-3) = 2/(2/3) 2/(2/-1) = 2/-2 = 6/2 = 3 = -1
5
5/3 + 1 = 5/3 + 3/3 = 8/3
6
3x + 2 = 4 3x = 2 x = 2/3 2x+2= 3 2x = 1
7 3x + 2 = 5
3x = 3 x = 3/3 = 1
8 3x + 1 = 1
3x = 0 x =0
9 2x + 2 = 6
2x = 4 x=2
10 (2x + 2)/3 = 1 11word problem 12 14 Let x = # Apples Bob has 16 15
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In Research, there is a tension between: Natural Repetition Required for Learning Mastery of Standard Techniques Application/Development of New ideas
(what is the recipe??)
Outline of the remaining slides: Multiple Ways to Succeed Standard Research Methodology Dont put Arbitrary Constraints on yourself Two Suggested out-of-box strategies Confidence is Needed
Multiple Ways to Succeed
Out-of-Box thinkers in the field of literature: 1)The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupery 1)Gertrude Stein: Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose -unconventional -repetition -simplicity Are these praises or criticisms?
3) Alan Moore: V for Vendetta , Watchmen The graphic novel: On Time Magazines list of 100 best novels
Standard Research Methodology
How to do research?
Read Papers, Go to Conferences/Seminars Play around with Your own problem
Create/Change Your Own Problem
Read Papers, Go to Conferences/Seminars
1. Shows you what problems are known 2. Shows you what problems are interesting 3. Gives techniques for problem solving Can be inspiring for your own problems and solutions
Read Papers, Go to Conferences/Seminars
1. you Shows what problems are known 2. Shows you what problems are interesting 3. Gives techniques for problem solving Can be inspiring for your own problems and solutionsbut you also need to do the other steps!
Read Papers, Go to Conferences/Seminars Provides constant energy source for the research Process!
Play around with Your own problem
Create/Change Your Own Problem
The creative work is done here
Draw me a sheep!
Play around with Your own problem
Problem Sets: -Problem given to you -You know there is an answer -Solution technique is usually given (in class, in book, etc.) Problem Set Problems were good research problems at one point! (interesting problem, interesting/clean solution). You have seen Many examples.
Create/Change Your Own Problem
Play around with Your own problem
Problem Sets: -Problem given to you -You know there is an answer -Solution technique is usually given (in class, in book, etc.) Problem Set Problems were good research problems at one point! (interesting problem, interesting/clean solution). You have seen Many examples.
Create/Change Your Own Problem
Good Research Process: Design your own Problem Set Questions! Iterate on the process (ask questions, do analysis, make hypothesis, generalize, focus, read papers, etc)
Dont be afraid to change the problem or question. Dont be afraid to solve trivial problems first. Invent toy problems to get understanding: Try to find the simplest possible non-trivial instance of your problem, and see if you can solve it!
Ask good questions
Dont Put Arbitrary Constraints on Yourself Everyone does this, sometimes unintentionally Especially New Students Even Faculty Including Me =)
What do I mean by arbitrary constraints?
Natural Constraints for a problem (Not what I am talking about) Timeslots Poisson Arrivals Treat Interference as Noise Etc. These were useful to the researcher. They helped make a hard problem simpler to think about. Silly Psychological Constraints! (Is what I am talking about) All problems must have timeslots All problems assume we are given x,y,z, and we must solve for w All algorithms mus...