CS 5392 Graduate Research Methods
CS 4392 Research Methods

Spring 2008 Syllabus

Schedule: 6:00-7:20 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, in Room 321

Instructor: David Novick

Office Hours: By appointment (call Isela Orozco, x5725, to schedule)

Overview: This class is an introduction to research methods used in computer science at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It is a hands-on class: students develop a research proposal in an area of their choice. As such it will be valuable for those in the early stages of research, for example Masters students beginning to work on identifying a research topic and planning their work. It will also be useful for anyone wanting to learn how scientific research is done in practice, especially those considering doctoral studies or a research career in the field of computer science.

By the end of the semester each participant will have written an extended research proposal 10-15 (undergrad) or 15-20 (graduate) double spaced pages in length, complete with motivation, review of relevant literature, research question, and method.

Texts

The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition (Paperback), by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White, Roger Angell. (Longman)

Course Outcomes

Description/Requirements/Contact Hours

Introduction to research methods, including research paradigms and methodologies across computer science, research question formulation, design of research approach, literature search and presentation of related work, analysis of results, verbal and written presentation skills, and research ethics. Students prepare and defend a thesis proposal or project proposal in an area of their choice. Class meets three hours per week, a total of 45 hours per semester.

Knowledge and Comprehension

· Know how to find literature relevant to a problem

· Know how to read and explain a research paper

· Know methods for finding and formulating research questions

· Know when to use the principal research methods common in computer science, such as formal proof, benchmarking, simulation, and experimentation

· Be aware of common ethical issues in research

· Know when to submit a research protocol for human subjects

· Know simple approaches to good writing for research papers, theses and dissertations

· Know how to use a style guide for theses and dissertations

· Know how present a research talk

Application and Analysis

· Think critically about research questions and methods

· Answer questions about a research paper

· Find and formulate research questions

Synthesis and Evaluation

· Write a research proposal, including introduction, literature review, and methodology sections

· Prepare and present a research poster

· Defend a research proposal

Standards of Conduct

You are expected to conduct yourself in a professional and courteous manner, as prescribed by the UTEP Standards of Conduct. Graded work, such as homework and tests, is to be completed independently and should be unmistakably your own work, although you may discuss your project with other students in a general way. You may not represent as your own work material that is transcribed or copied from another person, book, or any other source, e.g., a Web page. The instructor is required to—and will—report academic dishonesty and any other violation of the Standards of Conduct to the Dean of Students.

Disabilities

If you feel that you may have a disability that requires accommodation, contact the Disabled Student Services Office at 747-5184, go to Room 106E Union, or email dss@utep.edu

Assignments

Reading and homework assignments will be handed out or announced in class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. You should expect to spend at least seven hours per week outside of class on reading and homework.

Grading

Your semester grade will be based on a combination of homework and lab assignments, weekly quizzes, lab attendance, exams, and a final exam. The approximate percentages are as follows:

 15% Research poster and defense
 30% Research proposal (motivation, literature review, question, method)
 5% Research proposal defense (final exam)
 20% Précis (10) and topic
 30% Two midterms

Schedule (Subject to change)

1/14/08
The structure of a thesis
Finding relevant literature
Writing a précis

1/16/08
Reading and explaining a research paper
Due: précis of assigned paper

1/21/08
Finding and formulating research questions

1/23/08
Finding and formulating research questions
Due: Précis of paper you found

1/29/08
Approaches to good writing for research papers, theses and dissertations

1/31/08
Using a style guide

2/04/08
Writing the literature review section
Due: Question and justification

2/06/08
Research in Software Engineering (Dr. Roach)
Due: Précis of assigned papers

2/11/08
Editing a research paper

2/13/08
Midterm 1

2/18/08
Review of midterm
Formulating good research questions (2)

2/19/08
Writing the methods section
Due: Literature review section

2/25/08
Research in Theory of Computation (Dr. Kreinovich)
Due: Précis of assigned papers

2/27/08
The relationship between writing and critical thinking
Due: Edited section

3/04/08
More on writing and critical thinking; studies with human subjects
Due: Précis of assigned papers

3/06/08
Writing the motivation section
Due: Method section

3/11/08
Preparing a poster

3/13/08
Ethical issues in research
Due: Motivation section

3/18/08
Editing a research paper (2)

3/20/08
Presenting a poster
Review of draft posters
Due: Poster

3/25/08
Spring Break

3/27/08
Spring Break

4/01/08
Research in computer systems
Due: Précis of assigned papers

4/03/08
How to present a research talk

4/08/08
Research in human-computer interaction
Due: Précis of assigned papers

4/10/08
Midterm 2

4/15/08
How to ask and answer questions

4/17/08
Poster session
Due: Slides

4/22/08
Poster critiques
Writing grant proposals
Due: Research proposal

4/24/08
Entrepreneurship

4/29/08
Course evaluation
Practice talks

5/01/08
Practice talks

Final Exam (Research proposal defense talks): Thursday, May 8, 2007, 7:00-9:45 p.m.

__________

DGN, November 13, 2007