General Advice on
CSE Research*
Bharat Jayaraman
CSE Department
University at Buffalo
* compiled from many sources
Outline of Talk
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CSE Department Research
Faculty Research Activities
Doctoral Research
Research Strategies
Qualities of a Researcher
Online Resources
What is Research
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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.
1. CSE Department Research
12
Core Areas:
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Algorithms &
Theory
Artificial
Intelligence
Systems (SW/HW)
10
8
A&T
AI
SW/HW
6
4
2
0
1989
2009
Lots of multidisciplinary interests
Multidisciplinary Research
Other Engineering
Departments
Bioinformatics
Pharmacy
Public Health
Math, Chemistry,
Biology, Geography
CSE
Media Studies,
Communication
Management, Law
Linguistics, Philosophy
Psychology, Anthropology
2. Faculty Activities
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Teaching
Research
Service
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
Faculty Service Activities
• Serve as reviewer of papers, proposals
• Serve on conference committees
• Serve on journal editorial boards
• Serve on national boards and panels
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.
Major Steps for PhD in CSE
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Qualifying Process (coursework)
Major Professor Selection
Dissertation Committee
Dissertation Research Proposal
Dissertation Completion
Dissertation Defense
Ph.D. degree
Outline of Research Proposal
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Problem and its Significance
Related Research
Proposed Approach to Problem
Results Obtained to Date
Remaining Research
Expected Contributions
Good Research Problem
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Important (and interesting)
Related to other problems
Not easily solved
Can be solved
Can be solved by you
Leads to new research
Some Grand Challenges
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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.
4. Research Strategies
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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
Literature Search
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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
The Hourglass Model*
* http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/strucres.htm
When a problem is very hard
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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.
Cross Fertilization
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Techniques in one area often have
applicability in other areas.
E.g. Hardware Verification via Software
Testing; Email Spam Detection via
Machine Learning; Program Debugging
using Temporal Databases.
National Science Foundation has
funding for “Cross-Cutting Programs”
Details are important
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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.
“Negative results” are useful
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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.
5. Qualities of a Good Researcher
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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
Qualities of a Good Advisor
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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
6. Research Resources
 Research Advisor
 Texts, research monographs
 Journals, conference proceedings
 How to improve one’s writing
 Many online resources available today.
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!”
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!”
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 neverending 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!”
Notes for Future Use
1. 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.