How to Do Research

1. Lauer, H.C. (1975), "On Ph.D. Thesis Proposals in Computing Science", The Computer Journal 18(3): 279-281.
   • Also online in html.

2. Jayaraman, Bharat (2006), "General Advice on CSE Research" [PDF]
   • Presentation to CSE 501 on 9/11/2006.

   

3. "Internet Detective"
   • Use this free Internet tutorial to learn to discern the good, the bad and the ugly for your online research.

4. Beck, Susan (1997), "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, or Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources"

5. A sample conference review form
   • What do reviewers look for in conference (or journal) papers? Here's a sample from an AI conference. Also see Parberry 1994ab, below:

6. Parberry, Ian (1994a), "A Guide for New Referees in Theoretical Computer Science", Information and Computation 112(1): 96-116.

7. Parberry, Ian (1994b), "A Form for Referees in Theoretical Computer Science", SIGACT News 25(4): 96-107.
   • Also, be sure to read Parberry's "Frivolous Stuff"

8. Smith, Alan Jay (1999), "The Task of the Referee", revised version of an article that originally appeared in IEEE Computer 23(4; April 1990): 65-73.

9. Nussbaum, Maury A. (2002), "How to Write a (Thesis/Dissertation) Proposal" (Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering).

10. Wrenn, Chase (2005), "How to Referee a Paper for a [Philosophy] Journal"
    • Warning: Purely(?) humorous :-)

11. Blecher, Wendy (2005), "On Journal Rejection", Flourish 2(4) (April).
    • What to do when (not "if" :-) your submission to a journal is rejected.

12. Science Daily: Computer Science News

13. "Advice on Research and Writing"
    • "A collection of [links]...about how to do research and how to communicate effectively (primarily for computer scientists)."

14. McKinney, Mary (2006), "Advisee Management Tip: Ask for a Memo", Tomorrow's Professor Msg.#747.
    • "Looks at the many advantages of having your Ph.D. students include a memo to you when seeking feedback on their dissertation drafts."
    • Although aimed at faculty, I think the advice here should be followed by anyone who is doing collaborative writing with someone else. Grads: Take the advice here even if your major professor doesn't require it!