How to Succeed in Graduate Studies? CREDITS: MARIE DESJARDINS, CRISTIAN BORCEA, STEVE KASS, ROSEMARY...
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Transcript of How to Succeed in Graduate Studies? CREDITS: MARIE DESJARDINS, CRISTIAN BORCEA, STEVE KASS, ROSEMARY...
How to Succeed in Graduate Studies?CREDITS: MARIE DESJARDINS, CRISTIAN BORCEA, STEVE KASS, ROSEMARY HAYS-THOMAS, SHERRY SCHNEIDER, STEPHEN VODANOVICH, LAURA KOPPES BRYAN, SANDRA CRUZ-POL, DANIEL ERNST, PAUL WAGNER, TAO XIE, GAIL P. TAYLOR, UBC FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES, SALIH DUFFUAA
Husni A
l-Muhtaseb - C
redits: Marie D
esJardins, Cr
istian Borcea, S
teve Kass, R
osemary H
ays-Thom
as, S
herry Schneider, S
tephen Vodanovich, L
aura Kop
pes Bryan, S
andra Cruz-P
ol, Daniel E
rnst, Paul W
agner, Tao X
ie, Gail P. Taylor, S
alih Duffuaa
3Outline A Plan to Succeed
Develop Skills
Shop for a Research Topic
Shop for an Advisor
Thesis Proposal
Perform Research
Managing Your Advisor
Write-up
Time Management
Surviving the Defense
Life balance
Conclusion
4Develop A Plan to Succeed
List of what you must accomplish Courses
Exams
Research
Make a timetable with deliverables
Reevaluate every semester
Commitment
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arie
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
5Succeed in Graduate Studies Elements
Coursework
Exams and/ or Tests
Research
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
6Succeed in Performing Research
Develop Skills and Personality
Shop for a Research Topic
Shop for an Advisor
Thesis Proposal
Perform Research
Managing Your Advisor
Writing – Publishing
Thesis/ Dissertation Write-up
Time Management
Surviving the Defense
Develop Skills and Personality
Perform Research
Managing Your Advisor
Writing – Publishing
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
arie
DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
7Develop Skills and Personality
Positive attitude/ Self esteem
Adaptability
Autonomy and Confidence
Demonstrate Initiative
Assertiveness
Creative Thinking
Ability to Learn
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
8Develop Skills and Personality
Driving for Results
Decision Making
Knowledge in Major
Using Technology
Locating, organizing, analyzing information
Reasoning
Strategic thinking
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ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
9Develop Skills and Personality
Communication skills (listening)
Communication skills (writing)
Communication skills (presenting)
Network skills (Interacting with others)
Team skills (Team participation)
Conflict resolution, Problem solving
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s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
10Develop Skills and Personality
Coaching and mentoring (developing others)
Leadership skills
Observe safety rules
Attendance and Punctuality
Business Orientation
Customer Focus
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
11Develop Skills and Personality
What about Ethics?
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ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
12Where do we learn skills?
Through experience, from Research Advisor
Through other Mentors
Through Classes
Through Colleagues
Self-learning Courses
Special Purpose Courses
Practice
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
13Shop for a Research Topic
Scenario - 1
I am looking for any topic that facilitates me to graduate before the end of this semester
What will be your impression if you ware a possible advisor?
Scenario - 2
I am looking for any topic that provides me some extra income
What will be your impression if you ware a possible advisor?
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i Al-M
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
14Shop for a Research Topic
A Scenario
I am looking for an interesting topic that facilitates me to positively contribute to the field
What will be your impression if you ware a possible advisor?
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
15Shop for a Research Topic
Choose topic based on your research interests You Must Like it
Don’t choose it just because you can get more income
Also think strategically Is it a hot Topic?
Is it needed in the market?
If certain topic is hot now will still be hot in 3 years
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ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
16Shop for a Research Topic
• Consider expanding on your previous research experience
If you have no specific research interests Build your interest in the first semester
Around 70% of research topics are proposed by advisors
Be smart while shopping for a topic
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seb - C
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
17Shop for an Advisor
An Advisor Compatible with you Get Well Together
respective
Avoid choosing an advisor because he is nice Might withhold frank evaluations of your knowledge, skills, and
progress to avoid hurting your feelings
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s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
18Shop for an Advisor
Avoid some problems that may occur when an advisor Plans to leave the University
Does not provide enough feedback
Does not meet you
Behave in a way you find irresponsible
How would you know some of these problems
Do you want to agree on one semester trial period?
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
19Shop for an Advisor
Full Professor Advisors More experience
Usually have more Projects (money Support)
more connections
May be less demanding: Don’t push you hard
Don’t have time to work closely with you
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
20Shop for an Advisor
Associate Professor advisors May push you hard
future career depends on your results
work with you
Might have more up-to-date information
Assistant Professor advisors Me: Depends on your Luck
… and Regulations
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
21Shop for a Research Topic(The slide is not Misplaced)
Your topic, approved by your advisor
Rare to know the topic from the moment you start working with advisor If work is part of a project, it is somewhat clearer
More common to work on 1-3 topics in an area New ideas come up during the work
Publication-wise, some ideas will be more successful than others
Husn
i Al-M
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seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
22Student Responsibility to his advisor
Time Commitment
Honesty
Productivity
Teamwork, cooperation and assistant
Feedback and communication
Respect
Loyalty
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
23Thesis Proposal
Might be your first Official Write-up
Some Literature Survey
Motivations
Objectives
Problems specification
A plan with a timetable, milestones, and deliverables
Thesis without a chapter or two
Contract between you and committee: agree on content to be added in the final thesis
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
24Thesis Proposal
The first impression on your writing
Following research guidelines and ethics
Give attention to literature survey
Avoid saying: It was only a draft so I didn’t think it counted
I borrowed only the introduction and background material; the remaining is my original work
I listed the reference [explicitly quote]
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
25Thesis Proposal
So what is the problem
Plagiarism is representing somebody else’s words as my own words
So ..
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teve K
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ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
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26Choosing a Committee
With your Advisor Agreement
Reasonable People
Good Reputations Advice
Assistant
Recommendations
Feedback
Feedback and feedback
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teve K
ass, R
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Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
27Perform Research Be Proactive: Don’t wait for advisor to push you
Reading papers: Identify both strong and weak points
Advisor might point to important papers in your topic
Find more papers
Read a few papers every week
Read outside your area as well
Follow technology news
Let advisor/colleagues know about interesting things you read
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
28Perform Research Identifying important and hard problems
Learn to differentiate between interesting problems and junk
Advisor will help
Problem solving/design Always ask : “what’s the novelty of my solution?”
Also: how is it different from/similar to alternative solutions?
If Advisor suggests a potential solution Instead of saying “doesn’t work!”
Say “X didn’t work, but how about Y or Z?”
if advisor points out drawbacks in your solutions Don’t get upset/discouraged
it’s technical, not personal
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teve K
ass, R
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mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
29Perform Research
Implementation
In most research problems, will have to implement your ideas
Except for purely theoretical problems
Every successful project goes through this hard phase
Design is more fun than implementation No magic here: work hard! If you don’t know how to implement something
or have troubles with a bug ask colleagues or advisor for help
Don’t suffer in silence
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teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
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30Perform Research
Evaluation
Prove that your solution works as claimed Should know from the design time experiments
and metrics Form a hypothesis: what type of results you
expect Experiments contradict hypothesis: think of
potential reasons and discuss them with advisor
Work in the lab a significant amount of time
Learn from interactions with colleagues/advisor
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teve K
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mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
31Progressing Efficiently
Make a daily to-do list Prioritize: do the most important things first Multitask Do many experiments (Maximize luck…) Plan for the tomorrow’s work before you leave Work on at least one weekend day (this will save
you months!) Read literature mostly at night Put a date on EVERYTHING! It’s a locator device Watch out for inefficient computer use or texting
From Iris Lindberg - http://thelindberglab.com
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herry
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er, S
teph
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Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
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32Managing Your Advisor Trust advisor and earn his trust
good work
reliability
Advisors, are not perfect. They try their best to help doubts might appear when
A paper is rejected
Different opinions on how to proceed
Seemingly advisor cares only about his career
Remember Advisors work hard to support research work
You work hard to produce results
What is good for student is good for advisor and vice versa
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Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
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neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
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33Impress Your Advisor Ask for weekly meeting, write the minutes and
send them after the meeting to your advisor Set your own deadlines and meet them
Milestones Papers Experiments Committee meetings
Read the literature on your own Think critically about experiments Participate fully in lab meetings, if any Work smart/ hard…
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
arie
DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
34 Writing – Publishing
Always Recall Plagiarism to avoid it
Write minutes meeting and action items
When reading a related paper summarize key issues in your own language
Document summaries of experiments and results
Problem faced and solutions
Possible future work
Special purpose implemented experiments
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
35 Writing – Publishing
For publishing you need extensive help of your advisor Possible targets (conference or Journal)
Structure of the paper
Revisions
Follow-up
Submission
Husn
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seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
36Thesis/ Dissertation Write-up
Often happens in a rush at the end Consequently has a lot of problems
Takes multiple drafts
Product worthy of publication
Usually, two-three research papers with deep introduction and conclusion
Needs to be thorough
Best if publish papers as you go!
Husn
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seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
37Thesis/ Dissertation Write-up
Comprehensive literature Survey would be a possible Journal paper
The detailed problem specification with a proposed solution design could be a conference paper
Methodology with experimental results, analysis, and evaluation would be a second possible journal paper
Husn
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seb - C
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rdin
s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
38Writing Papers
Might be hard Good results are not published due to sloppy writing
Ask advisor for models of good papers Get advisor’s feedback early and often Re-write Read on writing One idea per paragraph
Do paragraphs follow one another in a logical structure?
Husn
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seb - C
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s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
39Writing Papers
Typical structure Abstract - Introduction Related work - Design Implementation - Evaluation Conclusions
Have clear abstract/introduction If vague or poorly written, reviewers will just look for
reasons to reject afterwards Don’t claim more than you did
Distinguish between “will do” and “have been done”
Husn
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seb - C
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s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
40Time Management
Students in high-ranked schools work between 60 and 80 hours per week [Cristian Borcea] Faculty spend a similar amount of time
You will compete for jobs with students form other schools as well
Citing Borcea advisor: “school breaks are for undergrad students” Good time to work in case you have teaching duties The advisor has more free time to help you
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
Don’t have time to finish all your tasks?
Must acquire time management skills Write down your tasks (both work-related and
personal), set deadlines, and categorize them function of importance
Pausch’s graph for task time management:
41
Importance
Urgency
Obviously, finishthese tasks first
Continue withthese tasks
Husn
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seb - C
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s, C
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
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Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
More on time management
Don’t have time for personal life? Some personal tasks must have high importance
Family/friends help you avoid “going nuts”
According to previous slide, you might end up not doing “urgent, but not important tasks”; it’s ok, the world goes on
Know yourself and manage advisor’s expectations
Learn to estimate accurately the time it takes to do certain tasks
Learn to say “no” if it’s not possible to do a task before a deadline
Try hard to respect deadlines once you agreed to them
Inform your advisor as soon as you are getting behind the schedule
42H
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a, S
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ass, R
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mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
43Defense Time
Reason Finish writing during your final year Execute the proposal Advisor and committee members think you are ready
What about these reasons? Family Problems Financial Problems Job-related Problems
Husn
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seb - C
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s, C
ristian B
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a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
44Surviving the Defense
Finish writing during your final year In parallel with job searching
Thesis defense is reason to celebrate Advisor/committee won’t allow you to defend if not
ready Not a good idea to defend if you don’t have a job
Unless you don’t receive support any longer You could get job before thesis defense
Risk: you might never get the drive to finish
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
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DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
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Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
uaa
Husni A
l-Muhtaseb
45Surviving the Defense: Question Time
Be confident and well-prepared
You should be the rare experts in your topic
Let your questioner finish his comment/ question
Be prepared to rehearse the question
Keep your answers short but precise
Deflect hostile questions
Confess your ignorance
Husni Al-Muhtaseb - Credits: Marie DesJardins, Cristian Borcea, Steve Kass, Rosemary Hays-Thomas, Sherry Schneider, Stephen Vodanovich, Laura Koppes Bryan, Sandra Cruz-Pol, Daniel Ernst, Paul Wagner, Tao Xie,
Gail P. Taylor, Salih Duffuaa45
Life balance: A Brain on A Stick
You are a human being
Not a brain on a stick
You have friends and family outside graduate school
Seek out the many resources at KFUPM that can help you through the tough times
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive/phd012609s.gifHusni Al-Muhtaseb - Credits: Marie DesJardins, Cristian Borcea, Steve Kass, Rosemary Hays-Thomas, Sherry Schneider, Stephen Vodanovich, Laura Koppes Bryan, Sandra Cruz-Pol, Daniel Ernst, Paul Wagner, Tao Xie, Gail P. Taylor, Salih Duffuaa 46
47ConclusionSucceed in Performing Research
Develop Skills and Personality
Shop for a Research Topic
Shop for an Advisor
Thesis Proposal
Perform Research
Managing Your Advisor
Writing – Publishing
Thesis/ Dissertation Write-up
Time Management
Surviving the Defense
Husn
i Al-M
uhta
seb - C
redits: M
arie
DesJa
rdin
s, C
ristian B
orce
a, S
teve K
ass, R
ose
mary
Hays-
Thom
as, S
herry
Sch
neid
er, S
teph
en
Vodanovich
, La
ura
Koppes B
ryan, S
andra
Cru
z-Pol, D
an
iel E
rnst,
Pau
l Wagner, Ta
o X
ie, G
ail P. Ta
ylo
r, Salih
Duff
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