Intro to research
Intro to research
Introduction to Research
Mansun Chan!
Department of ECE, HKUST!
Personal Info!
Education!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Personal Info!
Academic Qualifications!
v Professor in ECE Department of HKUST
v Also affiliated with BIEN and CPEG program
v Adjunct Professor of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate
School
v Adjunct Professor of Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and
Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Science
v Visiting Professor of UC Berkeley (2001-2002)
v Becomes IEEE Fellow in 2012
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Personal Info!
Publication Record!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Personal Info!
Research Area!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Personal Info!
Commercial Pursue!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Personal Info!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Objectives!
Research training!
v research is the technique to collect and re-organize knowledge
v Involve a lot of personal attributes including
• Creativity • Active learning
• Observation • Common sense
• Induction • Motivation & Perseverance
• Execution ability • Positive attitude and Confidence (EQ)
• Communication skill • Concentration and Focus
• Language • Discipline
• Presentation • Decision making
• Acting and pretending • Long term vision
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Example!
Case Study!
Look at this Journal paper. It is I give up! I just spent 2 hours in the
unfair as I have submitted library trying to get an idea for my
similar work before with more research topic, and I still have no idea
detail theory and experimental of even a general topic that I could
data. My paper was rejected start. I have consulted with my advisor,
and this inferior one got but he just gave me a general direction
published!! I guess it is just without specific task to look for.
purely because my group is Student 1
less famous.
Student 3
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
What is Research?!
Do you really know what research is?!
v Can you define it precise in your own words?
v Can you compare two reports and tell which one is better?
v Can you tell a good research topic from a poor one?
Exercise!
v Your first research topic would be …
- Find out what research is
v Example: starts with definition, types, history, components etc.
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Disclaimer!
v For research method, I am referring to Western Style of
researches
v China has a very different research culture that I am not
familiar with
v But as people are looking to more internationalized
research impact, it is good to know the global “English
based” research environment
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Definitions of Research!
From the literature!
v Scientific or scholarly inquiry or investigation and the proper communication
of the findings (AH dictionary)
v It is the process of searching for, in a broader sense, general answers in any
field of study or, in a limited fashion, a solution to just one particular problem
v It uses a blend of assorted resources, such as classical or modern theory,
state-of-the-art technology, statistical technology, and engineering
techniques, to uncover previously unknown facts and principles
v Research should be a systematic, controlled, empirical, rigorous, and precise
method used to obtain solutions or to discover and interpret new information
(Paul Curto, 1996)
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
The Greeks:!
v Appeared to be the first to organize research and science
v Much of their work was lost with the fall of Athens
Modern researches:!
v Francis Bacon (1561-1626) gave a new direction to science with an emphasis on
using science to enrich human life using empirical experimentation
v Galileo conducted experiments and helped rejuvenate the scientific method
v More organized research with the formation of Universities
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Industrial Researches:!
v Usually applied researches related to certain products
v Researchers usually have less freedom and tightly monitored by the sponsors
v In some cases, the research group might work like an internal organization of a
company (with different pay)
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Informational Research:!
v Market Research: collecting public information to observe trends and perceptual
biases in the selected sample
v Philosophical Research: find out the meaning of life, external world, existence etc.
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Good researcher
- Knowledge centric
- Less immediate commercial
Weak researcher
Competition, Short lifetime,
value
more varieties, Practical
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Some Observations!
v Research is usually driven by interest (do you have lots of
interests?)
v Approach is formulated before information searching
v Most people do not have the habit of research before
taking actions
v Most everyday researches are not systematic nor
documented
v A person’s research aptitude can be observed by how
well he/she handle his/her daily tasks
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Research!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Case Study!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Audience!
Targeted Audience!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Supply Chain!
Business Environment!
Product Value Chain!
Product Retail
Design Distribution
Most high-tech companies
Add on value !
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Topics!
Topics to be covered!
v Research Attitude
v Research Process
v Defining Research Topics
v Literature Search
v Lateral Thinking (Improving Creativity)
v Oral Communication
v Written Communication
v Publishing Research Results
v Research Ethics
v Research Management (Quality, Time, Relationship)
v Preparing for a research Career
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Grading!
Term Project!
v Form a group around 6-8 students (depends on enrollment)
v Perform a research on the nature of a technology industry
v Prepare a report in PowerPoint (40%)
v Presenting the report in class (30%)
v Exercise occasionally given out in class (20%)
v The remaining 10% is attendance
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun
Expectation!
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering M ansun