This course aims to improve key skills needed for the successful development of research projects. We introduce and apply concepts and tools for defining research project objectives, planning a research or thesis
project, and communicating the work orally and in writing. |
Students' participation in class is mandatory. Grading is based on homework and on an oral presentation towards the end of the course. The homework consists of exercises that develop different stages of a students' own research project, chosen at the start of the course. The final homework is the presentation of a formal report about the project. |
1 Course objectives. Research project |
Overview of this course's objectives and syllabus. How these objectives fit in your program. What characteristics define research. Approaching research. Different kinds of research. Defining scientific objectives. |
3 Reviewing the technical literature |
Why is it necessary? How much knowledge of the prior art is needed before defining a research objective? Searching relevant literature (scholar, patents): tools and considerations. Organizing and digesting information. |
5 Scientific integrity |
Responsible conduct of research. Mentoring. Collaborative research and authorship. Ownership of data and intellectual property. |
7 Technical writing |
Before writing: Defining your contribution. Where to begin: Constraints and stylistic tools. Structure. Language: Being precise, being clear, being forthright, being familiar, being concise, being fluid. Illustration. Importance of the title and the abstract. Authorship and peer review. |