reading research papers george corser. agenda why are we here? why read research papers? what is a...
TRANSCRIPT
Reading Research Papers
George Corser
Agenda
• Why are we here?• Why read research papers?• What is a research paper?• What is in a research paper?• What is the research process?• How to find significant papers• How to read critically• Time and material management
Why Are We Here?
Research !
Why Read Research Papers?
• Make sure your idea has not been published already
• Become an expert in a research area (stand on the shoulders of giants)
Image source: http://www.hitrecord.org/records/34896
What is a Research Paper?
• Conference paper, journal paper, book chapter• Types– Theoretical: algorithm or mathematical proof– Empirical: analysis of simulation or real-world
implementation– Survey: documentation of state of the art– Tutorial, case study, others…
• Peer reviewed
What is in a Research Paper?
Paper Sections
• Abstract1
• Introduction2
• Background3
• Method, terms4
• Results / Analysis5
• Conclusion6
Sample Paper (Excerpt)
What is the Research Process?
Define research topic
Find significant papers Classify papers
Develop hypothesis
Experiment (measure) Write a paper
How to Find Significant Papers
• Find papers in journals with high impact factor (IF): IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar
• Find papers that cite other significant papers• Find papers that have been cited by others
Impact Factor Examples
Computer Science (2011) All Fields (2003)
Source for “Computer Science (2011):http://www.spinellis.gr/blog/20120703/Source for “All Fields (2003)”:http://in-cites.com/research/2005/july_18_2005-1.html
Frequent Citation Examples
IEEE Xplore Google Scholar
How to Read Critically• What problem(s) are they solving? Why are these problems important? Are
the author’s claims reasonable and realistic?• What did they really do? (as opposed to what the authors say or imply they
did) Do the authors present evidence that they know why they are doing this research? What is the larger picture?
• What is the contribution of the work? (i.e. what is interesting or new?)• What methods are they using? Is the approach clearly described? Can you
summarize the approach? Does the approach seem objective? Reasonable assumptions?
• Would you have solved the problem differently? Can you think of counter-examples?
• Do all the pieces of their work fit together logically?• What were the results? Do the results address the problem stated at the
beginning of the paper?Source: Dr Qu
Time and Material Management
• Nickname the papers you read: AMOEBA, REP, AOSA, PARROTS, FLARES
• Keep a log of the most interesting points in each paper
• Save the files using naming convention (nickname) in one searchable directory
Paper Key Points
AMOEBA Mix zoneSilent period
REP Random encryption period
AOSA Anonymous LBS access, Group leader acts as proxyPrivacy metrics
SPCP Synchronized pseudonym changing protocol
PARROTS Vehicles mimic signals of other vehicles
FLARES Vehicles emit decoy messages, scalable: no reliance on other cars
Relax. Then Refocus.
Conclusion
• Why are we here?• Why read research papers?• What is a research paper?• What is in a research paper?• What is the research process?• How to find significant papers• How to read critically• Time and material management
The End
Extra Slides
Peer-reviewed journal growth
Source: M A Mabe, The number and growth of journals, Serials 16(2), 191-7, 2003
Impact Factor (IF)
• Average number of citations per article• Example– Let A = number of times articles from 2006 and
2007 were cited in a journal in 2008– Let B = the number of “citable” items published in
the journal– Impact factor, IF = A / B
Source: http://www.sciencegateway.org/impact/
Impact factor analysis
Source: Elsevier 201062216345377
What is the Writing Process?
Paper Sections
• Abstract1
• Introduction2
• Background3
• Method4
• Results / Analysis5
• Conclusion6
Writing Tasks
• Results / Analysis5
• Method4
• Background3
• Conclusion6
• Introduction2
• Abstract1