Last week, we started the summer term with a single class called “Research Methods”. Dr. Kaisler will lead us in the period of 6 weeks. First week was kind of introduction to the course. However, I clearly understood the goal of the course.
This course is designed in order to lead us to select most appropriate MS Thesis topic. During this class, range of computer science related concepts will be introduced to us, some potential topics will be explored, and we will form an opinion about how to get prepared for MS Thesis. This class will also help us to find corresponding data and resources to fulfill MS Project.
Everything starts with decent plan. In last week’s classes, I learned that most important point is asking right questions. There are 7 steps:
- Defining the Problem: MS Thesis topic should reflect some problem where the particular field benefit from its solution. What kind of obstacle we face in our daily life? How with the help of machine learning it could be solved? And more…
- Data Collection: What kind of data we need it? Is it already available or somehow need to be collected?
- Methods and Tools Selection: Whether it is Machine Learning problem or Computer Vision or any other, you need to decide which method, model or tool will be used throughout implementation. Picking up most appropriate tools and methods will ease the difficulties of project. Hardware resources also are decided in this part.
- System Development: It is a timeline where task is divided into parts and need to be fulfilled in a given period of time.
- Testing: While implementing the project, incremental testing needs to be done. Upon completion, unit testing, integration testing, and others also required to be accomplished.
- Operational Demonstration: We will have 2 demonstration; initial and final. One of them is in December and the other is in May. We need to demonstrate progress of the project.
- Documentation: Each project needs to be documented. It helps others to read and understand code and functionality easily. Hereby, others who will take the project to proceed will take less time to understand what is going on.
George H. Heilmeier, a former DARPA director, crafted a set of questions known as the "Heilmeier Catechism" to help Agency officials think through and evaluate proposed research programs. These are:
- What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
- How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
- What's new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
- Who cares? If you're successful, what difference will it make?
- What are the risks and the payoffs?
- How much will it cost? How long will it take?
- What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success?
When we have tangible answers to this questions, it means we have a great MS Thesis topic.
There are 2 types of research: Experimental and Creative Research. Experimental research. Experimental research is focused on cause (independent variable) and effect (dependent variable) where Creative research is focused on the development of new theories, methodologies and models.
Moreover Dr. Kaisler talked about research topics and projects from his experiences where some of them have been completed successfully where some of them failed due to several reasons. Those reasons are also great guide for us to make planning better.
I truly believe that what we learn from this class will guide us how to successfully complete MS Thesis which will form also our future academic career.