CS 5392 Graduate Research Methods
CS 4392 Research Methods in Computer Science

Writing Tips

This page reiterates the writing tips presented in the Spring, 2007 Graduate Research Methods Course.

January 14, 2008

Avoid arguing from belief.

An author's beliefs do not constitute proof of the thing believed, except in some narrow philosophical cases. If you claim something to be true, say it and support it.

Example:

"I believe that most users will not use documentation, even if available."

should be rewritten as

"Most users will not use documentation, even if available (Novick et al. 2006)."

Handy rule: Never use "I believe" in a computer science paper.

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