What is Research and the Research Method.

1. What is Research (?) and the Research Method. Dr. Gareth M. Forde Bio Engineering Lab (BEL), Chemical Engineering [Based on a presentation by Dr K. Hapgood]

2. Welcome to the Summer Research Program The Summer Research Program trains you to perform independent research Work on a project with your supervisor / a team for three months Make a (small) original contribution to your field At the end, you create a poster / report You are hired to do a job: no classes, no assignments, no exams; but you are expected to be punctual and professional.

3. Research training Learning to become an independent researcher Two types (Phillips & Pugh): Autonomous researchers: Gradual transition to being an independent worker by the end of your time as a research student. Research assistants: you are an apprentice, working under the supervision of a master. Lots of training, but need move towards running your own show!

4. Research training To be a professional researcher in your field: Be able to review and critically evaluate other people�s work in your field Determine where you can make a useful contribution to the field � where are the gaps? Be able to use special techniques, and understand their limitations Communicate your results effectively Be aware of what is discovered, argued about, written and published by your worldwide academic peers

5. The 4 Research stages What is the research problem? What is the aim? Why is it important? The Literature review What has been done before to tackle this problem? What has NOT been done? Or has not been done well? What simplifying assumptions? What has been ignored or overlooked? �Don�t reinvent the wheel� Literature review sets up entire thesis

6. The 4 Research stages Experiments / modeling / data gathering Design a new approach to tackle the problem Set about doing the work / creation of novel data. Analyze -> Develop new understanding -> Compare with literature Thesis Write up What have you done to tackle the problem? What does it show? Prove? Disprove? Literature review sets up entire thesis

9. Research is up to you Usually, you will not be following the path of someone else. You will often have no one telling you what to do! You have to work out what is needed and what theory to learn. You may have to carry it all out � experiments, error analysis, interpretation, resolve conflicting results and write it all up clearly

10. Scientific research You start with an idea or argument or hypothesis Perform experiments to prove (or disprove) your hypothesis, and get a nice, clear answer You write a clear, logical deductive scientific plan. This can be a myth! You start with an idea, change it as you go along, and revise it entirely when your data tells you the opposite. Then you write up your final ideas AS IF they were your ORIGINAL idea.

11. Scientific research myth Your project will have many dead ends, blind alleys, and educated guesses. You will never read this in a scientific paper! All papers and thesis� are organized (often afterwards) into a seamless, clear, logical series of ideas Allows others to evaluate the output and results of your work, not the convoluted and confused path taken to get the results Classic example: Watson and Crick � DNA structure.

12. Read other people�s work � journal papers, theses, etc. Reading other people�s work is a good idea Get an idea of VOLUME & QUALITY of work required for a paper Remember they are written to clearly explain the work and the results Offer to proof read posters / presentation for other researchers in the summer program � Do not describe the long, chronological, and tortuous path to get the lovely results!

13. Tips for Success � which is more than just your project Learn to read papers and cope with the volume of data (information overload) and conflicting opinions � form your view Attend seminars and group meetings because you are interested, and ask questions (free conference!) Present as often as possible and ask for feedback Learn to write WELL � aim for PERFECTION Be able to describe your work and/or latest results in a 30 second �elevator speech� Network: functions, conferences, morning tea, etc.

14. What goes wrong? Isolation / buried in the lab Long hours / extra hours Losing contact / fall out with supervisor Overestimating what is required Underestimating what is required Other jobs Unclear boundaries between your work and research team members

15. Research: Not just for academics Research skills valuable to employers: Judged based on the quality of work Project management Lateral thinking Ability to read and comprehend large volumes of information, some contradictory, and make sense of it Ability to summarise Big picture & detailed picture analysis Sometimes, specific lab techniques or skills that were relevant to your particular project. Faster rate of promotion

16. Research: Not just for academics >66% Aust (ChE) PhDs go to industrial positions (~75% in the US) both R&D and corporate roles International ticket to the world � recognized globally Most large technology-driven organisations require a PhD to progress upwards (regardless of R&D role or not) US recruits PhD postgrads directly to senior roles

17. Resources EndNote tutorial: THIS FRIDAY 21st Nov, 10-12am in HG Library. www.sciencedirect.com and other databases Your supervisor, other group members, other summer researchers. Inspiration: Peter Doherty �How to win a Nobel Prize�. Practical: �How to write a better thesis� or other similar books (preferably recent, Australian, on science/engineering) Courses and seminars (MPA, library)

18. Further Resources �How to Get a PhD � A handbook for students and their supervisors� by Phillips & Pugh. Popular UK book, library has copies Main reference for this presentation. Describes entire process, highs and lows, and the truth! �PhDs are just for academics - or are they?� article by Peter Scales, TCE article on transferable skills gained from research �A PhD is not enough� US book on postdocs and next steps (US book)