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How to Become an How to Become an Independent and Independent and

Successful Researcher?Successful Researcher?

Andrzej M. GoscinskiAndrzej M. Goscinski

October 2009October 2009

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PlanPlanPart 1Part 1

Being a good researcher Being a good researcher Developing your area of expertise Developing your area of expertise Working individually and in a group Working individually and in a group Finding a problem worthy of your attentionFinding a problem worthy of your attention Doing researchDoing research Publishing Publishing Applying for a grant Applying for a grant Networking – breaking into research Networking – breaking into research

communitycommunity

Part 2Part 2 Research student supervision Research student supervision

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Step 1 – Being a good Step 1 – Being a good researcher researcher You need good ideas and their implementationYou need good ideas and their implementation You have to spend a lot of time reading papersYou have to spend a lot of time reading papers You must discuss your ideas with your colleaguesYou must discuss your ideas with your colleagues You have to write and revise your papersYou have to write and revise your papers You have to keep track of your researchYou have to keep track of your research

Where you are goingWhere you are going Where have you beenWhere have you been

You have to stay motivatedYou have to stay motivated You have to work long hoursYou have to work long hours You should project yourself on the other side of a You should project yourself on the other side of a

fence – learn from good things and your suffering fence – learn from good things and your suffering of your PhD student time, and …of your PhD student time, and …

Other requirements …. Other requirements …. If you still don’t get it, go to the top of this listIf you still don’t get it, go to the top of this list

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Step 2 – Developing your area Step 2 – Developing your area of expertiseof expertise Even if you have a PhD degree , Even if you have a PhD degree ,

starting your independent research is starting your independent research is not easynot easy

There are many reasons of thisThere are many reasons of this You have been getting relaxed after your PhD You have been getting relaxed after your PhD

time for too longtime for too long You do not know how to start, in which area, You do not know how to start, in which area,

and whether it would be a good areaand whether it would be a good area You can continue research in the area of You can continue research in the area of

your PhD study or / and go for a new areayour PhD study or / and go for a new area

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Step 2 – Developing your area Step 2 – Developing your area of expertiseof expertise You have to become an expert in one You have to become an expert in one

area – this should be your area of area – this should be your area of research for at least three yearsresearch for at least three years

What are you interested in? Specify!What are you interested in? Specify! Literature studyLiterature study

You should be able to see current and future You should be able to see current and future trendstrends

You should be able to review conference / You should be able to review conference / journal papers in this area - when you review journal papers in this area - when you review paperspapers

You learn how to write papersYou learn how to write papers You improve your knowledgeYou improve your knowledge

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Step 2 – Developing your area Step 2 – Developing your area of expertiseof expertise You have to know neighbor areas You have to know neighbor areas

You should be able to link your area of You should be able to link your area of specialism with those neighbour areasspecialism with those neighbour areas

You should be able to review You should be able to review conference / journal papers in those conference / journal papers in those areas– when you review papers:areas– when you review papers:

You learn how to write papersYou learn how to write papers You improve your knowledgeYou improve your knowledge

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Step 3 – Working individually Step 3 – Working individually and in a groupand in a group It is easier to start your research as a It is easier to start your research as a

member of a good research groupmember of a good research group The very first stage is learning how to The very first stage is learning how to

work in your research group – Computing work in your research group – Computing / IT exploits working in groups / IT exploits working in groups extensively extensively

You will benefit from working group You will benefit from working group meetings:meetings:

Project topicsProject topics Literature studyLiterature study Review commentsReview comments

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Step 3 – Working individually Step 3 – Working individually and in a groupand in a group Working in groups also includesWorking in groups also includes

Attending seminarsAttending seminars You should ask for feedback and provide You should ask for feedback and provide

feedback / ask questions and be grateful after feedback / ask questions and be grateful after you received questions – see queries asyou received questions – see queries as

Opportunity to clarify points of your researchOpportunity to clarify points of your research Chance to hear opinions that may open another path Chance to hear opinions that may open another path

of thoughtof thought Chance to analyse good points of your researchChance to analyse good points of your research

Remember: we attack problems, never Remember: we attack problems, never presenters / speakers presenters / speakers

Note: some do not understand this approach at allNote: some do not understand this approach at all You can identify errors / problems and You can identify errors / problems and

propose solutionspropose solutions

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Step 3 – Working individually Step 3 – Working individually and in a groupand in a group At some stage, not too late, you At some stage, not too late, you

should start your independent should start your independent researchresearch

You have to overcome psychological You have to overcome psychological barriersbarriers

You have to overcome knowledge You have to overcome knowledge barriersbarriers

You have to overcome becoming You have to overcome becoming independent researcher barriersindependent researcher barriers

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Step 4 – Finding a problem Step 4 – Finding a problem worthy of your attentionworthy of your attention Finding a problem requires Finding a problem requires

Good general knowledgeGood general knowledge Critical thinkingCritical thinking Freedom of thinking Freedom of thinking Some form of “craziness” Some form of “craziness” Knowing what industry, business, people want Knowing what industry, business, people want

What helps to identify a problem?What helps to identify a problem? Attending seminarsAttending seminars Participation in working meetingsParticipation in working meetings Discussions with your group co-workersDiscussions with your group co-workers Literature studyLiterature study Watching technology trendsWatching technology trends

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Step 4 – Finding a problem Step 4 – Finding a problem worthy of your attentionworthy of your attention Try to do your research in the area of Try to do your research in the area of

research of leading researchers of your research of leading researchers of your organizationorganization

It is very difficult to start doing research on your It is very difficult to start doing research on your own even if you think that you have found a own even if you think that you have found a great areagreat area

Go for something “yours” when you have Go for something “yours” when you have become an independent researcherbecome an independent researcher

Pick up a narrow, well defined topic Pick up a narrow, well defined topic This could be like a topic for your PhD, but a bit This could be like a topic for your PhD, but a bit

wider and deeperwider and deeper This will allow you to solve it in a well defined This will allow you to solve it in a well defined

period of timeperiod of time It will help you to build your confidenceIt will help you to build your confidence

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Step 4 – Finding a problem Step 4 – Finding a problem worthy of your attentionworthy of your attention If you think that you have found a problem, If you think that you have found a problem,

you have to confirm that it is a problem that you have to confirm that it is a problem that it is “good” by answering the following it is “good” by answering the following questionsquestions

Is there any research published in this area?Is there any research published in this area? Are there any results that could indicate that Are there any results that could indicate that

other researchers addressed that problem?other researchers addressed that problem? How far are you from their research?How far are you from their research?

Will solving it add to the current knowledge Will solving it add to the current knowledge or create new knowledge?or create new knowledge?

Is it new?Is it new? Is it significant?Is it significant? What are expected outcomes of the project?What are expected outcomes of the project?

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Step 5 – Doing researchStep 5 – Doing research

To be an independent and good researcher To be an independent and good researcher requires more than having a brilliant idea requires more than having a brilliant idea and being able to implement it!and being able to implement it!

You should develop a plan for your work / You should develop a plan for your work / projectproject

You should write weekly reports (journal) You should write weekly reports (journal) of your research activities and ideas of your research activities and ideas

You will use these reports to prepare drafts of You will use these reports to prepare drafts of your technical reportsyour technical reports

You will come back to the ideas you generated You will come back to the ideas you generated earlierearlier

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Step 5 – Doing researchStep 5 – Doing research

You have to spend a lot of time reading You have to spend a lot of time reading paperspapers

You cannot read everything You cannot read everything Read selectivelyRead selectively Scan a paper before reading: go through the title, Scan a paper before reading: go through the title,

abstract, introduction and conclusions and answer a abstract, introduction and conclusions and answer a question “is this paper worthy my attention?”question “is this paper worthy my attention?”

Evaluate the paperEvaluate the paper Organize your papers into area modules – you Organize your papers into area modules – you

will be able to find a needed paper easily will be able to find a needed paper easily You must discuss your ideas with your You must discuss your ideas with your

supervisor, advisor, mentor and colleaguessupervisor, advisor, mentor and colleagues Discussions will help you refine your ideasDiscussions will help you refine your ideas Asking questions will save you a lot of timeAsking questions will save you a lot of time If you carry out experimental research you can If you carry out experimental research you can

get advice regarding implementation solutionsget advice regarding implementation solutions

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Step 5 – Doing researchStep 5 – Doing research Staying focused and motivatedStaying focused and motivated

It is hard to maintain positive attitude and stay motivatedIt is hard to maintain positive attitude and stay motivated You can suffer from insecurity, anxiety, and even boredom You can suffer from insecurity, anxiety, and even boredom

– this is normal! – this is normal! You should find a sympathetic ear: other colleagues, You should find a sympathetic ear: other colleagues,

mentormentor Identify your problemsIdentify your problems Identify steps to resolve the issuesIdentify steps to resolve the issues

To stay focused and motivated, it helps to have organized To stay focused and motivated, it helps to have organized activities activities

It is very important to manage your time wellIt is very important to manage your time well Set up prioritiesSet up priorities Do something everydayDo something everyday Follow the planFollow the plan

You have to be aware and stay aware of directly You have to be aware and stay aware of directly related researchrelated research

You also must know about research in neighbour You also must know about research in neighbour areas and new directions of your fieldareas and new directions of your field

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Step 6 – PublishingStep 6 – Publishing

You publish or you perishYou publish or you perish The best work never presented is a The best work never presented is a

complete waste of your and other complete waste of your and other people time and somebody’s moneypeople time and somebody’s money

You need publications to get a job You need publications to get a job (good job)(good job)

You need publications to get promotedYou need publications to get promoted You have to report on the outcomes You have to report on the outcomes

of your project / work / advertise of your project / work / advertise

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Step 6 – PublishingStep 6 – Publishing To start publishing you have to know how to To start publishing you have to know how to

write a paperwrite a paper You already participated in the supervised You already participated in the supervised

reviewing – you have learned a lot about writing reviewing – you have learned a lot about writing paperspapers

Write a technical report if there are some initial Write a technical report if there are some initial results – it could not be enough for a paper, but results – it could not be enough for a paper, but you will learn a lotyou will learn a lot

You should submit a paper if you have something You should submit a paper if you have something that could be called that could be called

““significant content” – this can be assessed by your significant content” – this can be assessed by your advisor/mentor and yourself based on your knowledge advisor/mentor and yourself based on your knowledge of the current state of art in your area of researchof the current state of art in your area of research

Written in good writing style – you learned that when Written in good writing style – you learned that when working on technical reportsworking on technical reports

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Step 6 – PublishingStep 6 – Publishing To start publishing you have to know how to To start publishing you have to know how to

write a paper write a paper NoteNote

The greatest idea if presented poorly will not be The greatest idea if presented poorly will not be accepted for publicationaccepted for publication

A poor solution described very well will not be acceptedA poor solution described very well will not be accepted Outcomes and actionsOutcomes and actions

Reviews can give you some feedback from people who Reviews can give you some feedback from people who read you paper read you paper

If your paper has been accepted, congratulations and If your paper has been accepted, congratulations and go ahead hardergo ahead harder

If your paper has been rejected, learn from reviewers’ If your paper has been rejected, learn from reviewers’ comments, review your partial research, and generate comments, review your partial research, and generate another version of your paperanother version of your paper

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Step 7 – Applying for a grantStep 7 – Applying for a grant

You need a grant for two main reasonsYou need a grant for two main reasons You want to carry out research, so you have You want to carry out research, so you have

toto Employ early career researcher(s), assistantsEmploy early career researcher(s), assistants Buy equipmentBuy equipment Go to conferencesGo to conferences

Currently, research income has become Currently, research income has become more important than research outcome, thus more important than research outcome, thus …. ….

However, the Government is thinking However, the Government is thinking about putting more weight to outcomes about putting more weight to outcomes (publications)(publications)

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Step 7 – Applying for a grantStep 7 – Applying for a grant

Getting a grant is not easy, because the Getting a grant is not easy, because the success percentage of a granting success percentage of a granting agency is lowagency is low

Writing application is not easy – but you Writing application is not easy – but you have to learn how to write a grant have to learn how to write a grant applicationapplication

There are two parts to any grant There are two parts to any grant applicationapplication

A good / hot problem that is worthy solvingA good / hot problem that is worthy solving Written applicationWritten application

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Step 7 – Applying for a grantStep 7 – Applying for a grant

If you carry out research you can find a If you carry out research you can find a good / hot problem good / hot problem

General recommendationsGeneral recommendations Page 1 of you application should clearly Page 1 of you application should clearly

state state The reasons for proposing the projectThe reasons for proposing the project AimAim What you want to doWhat you want to do SignificanceSignificance

Other parts of your project proposal must Other parts of your project proposal must be consistent with the content of the first be consistent with the content of the first pagepage

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Step 7 – Applying for a grantStep 7 – Applying for a grant It is very good to start a grant application and It is very good to start a grant application and

project path as a member of a group led by an project path as a member of a group led by an experienced researcherexperienced researcher

The next stage should be such that you are a The next stage should be such that you are a project leader and an experienced researcher project leader and an experienced researcher is a member of the proposed research groupis a member of the proposed research group

First apply for a university grant once or twice First apply for a university grant once or twice before going for a national level grantbefore going for a national level grant

If you have built good relationship with an If you have built good relationship with an industry partner you could go for that grant industry partner you could go for that grant at the stage of applying for a university grant at the stage of applying for a university grant

Ask experienced researchers to read your Ask experienced researchers to read your applicationapplication

Comments and suggestions help enormously Comments and suggestions help enormously

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Step 8 – Networking – breaking Step 8 – Networking – breaking into research communityinto research community You have to meet other researchers and you You have to meet other researchers and you

have to make yourself knownhave to make yourself known Professional networking is a mustProfessional networking is a must You have to learn “how to network” – it is a You have to learn “how to network” – it is a

learned skilllearned skill Activities of breaking into research Activities of breaking into research

community:community: Attending conferences: do this activelyAttending conferences: do this actively

Present a paperPresent a paper Get involved in discussionsGet involved in discussions If somebody expresses an interest in your work, follow If somebody expresses an interest in your work, follow

upup Use e-mail to remind other researchers about your Use e-mail to remind other researchers about your

research and make enquiry about their research research and make enquiry about their research Meeting established and influential researchersMeeting established and influential researchers Making yourself knownMaking yourself known

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Step 8 – Networking – breaking Step 8 – Networking – breaking into research communityinto research community Try to initiate cooperative researchTry to initiate cooperative research

Start with a small project and write a Start with a small project and write a paper togetherpaper together

Go for a major projectGo for a major project Major cooperation problem: Major cooperation problem:

Australia is far away from the Australia is far away from the world and cooperation requires world and cooperation requires more than e-mail communicationmore than e-mail communication

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Conclusion - Conclusion - To become an To become an independent and successful independent and successful researcherresearcher You need good ideas and their implementation, You need good ideas and their implementation, You have to spend a lot of time reading papers, You have to spend a lot of time reading papers, You must discuss your ideas with your You must discuss your ideas with your

colleagues, colleagues, You have to write and revise your papers, You have to write and revise your papers, You have to keep track with your research of You have to keep track with your research of

where you are going and where have you where you are going and where have you been, been,

You have to stay motivated, you have to work You have to stay motivated, you have to work long hours, long hours,

In general, you have to be a scholar.In general, you have to be a scholar.