Course Overview

In this course, students will learn the methodology behind experimental research in computer science. The course will cover topics such as planning a new research project, designing experiments, enabling repeatable research, and effectively presenting your results. It will also provide practice with the four skills critical to being an effective researcher: reading, writing, speaking, and thinking creatively.

Announcements

  • Welcome!
  • Below is a rough schedule based on a prior offering of this course. This year’s content may change or be reorganized!
  • Please complete this form by the end of the first week.

Schedule

Week 1
8/31/21		 Intro to Research Methods and Reading Papers
Papers: Wood / Parmer / Aviv / Yerukhimovich
Assignments: Complete this form by Friday September 3rd
Write 1 page research description (see slide 35); bring a printed copy to next class or email if you are not in person.
Week 2
9/7/21		 Selecting Research Projects and Computer Science as Science
Assignments: Read Loehle’s guide to creativity to discuss in week 3
Week 3
9/14/21		 All About Papers and Conferences
Assignments:  
Week 4
9/21/21		 Why Science is Hard
Assignments: Literature Survey - due Tuesday Oct 5th
Week 5
9/28/21		 Writing Well - Abstracts - Hamilton U - Writing Sins
Assignments:  
Week 6
10/5/21		 Writing Workshop - Abstracts
Assignments:  
Week 7
10/12/21		 Experimental Design
Assignments: Experimental Design Report - due Tuesday 10/19
Week 8
10/19/21		 Presenting Clearly 1
Assignments:  
Week 9
10/26/21		 Practice and Productivity
Assignments:  
Week 10
11/2/21		 Visualizing Your Research
Assignments:  
Week 11
11/9/21		 Grant Writing
Assignments: Consulting Meetings: Xinyu, Hunter, Collins
Your Approach Visualization - due Tuesday 11/23
Week 12
11/16/21		 Presenting Clearly 2
Assignments: Consulting Meetings: Emil, Kahang, Nelson
Week 13
11/23/21		 Creativity
Assignments: Consulting Meetings: Deng
Your Project Poster - due Tuesday 12/7
Week 14
11/30/21		 Research Recipes
Assignments: Consulting Meetings: Xiaosu, Jie, Maorui, Cuidi, Ellie, David, Cat, Lingsheng
Week 15
12/7/21		 Class Poster Session (online)
Assignments: Poster due Tuesday 12/7
Final Report due 12/19

Acknowledgements

This course includes materials drawn from similar courses by David Jensen from UMass Amherst and Omprakash Gnawali, University of Houston.