MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

How to define your research problem?

Nov 9th, 2004 MRDC 4211 MEGA panel discussion by Dr. Yves Berthelot, Dr. Jeffrey Streator Dr. Susan Stewart Soon-to-be-Dr. Doug Spearot

Some history
Started last Nov 03 MEGA 101 - How to do research?
Researcher's perspective (Dr. Fedorov) Advisor's perspective (Dr. McDowell) Student's perspective (Muncy, Johnson)

MEGA 102 - How to define your research problem?

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

This panel discussion

Literature review within the context of the project Identify problems that are to be solved, that are interesting, and that have value. Generating ideas/hypothesis Preliminary work to check if ideas/hypothesis may work Putting it all together as a proposal

Our panelists
Fall 85 as Assistant Professor Now full Professor Woodruff School Faculty Fellow, 1992-1997 American Society of Mechanical Engineers/Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal, 1991 National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1988 Sigma Xi (Georgia Tech Chapter) Young Faculty Award, 1988-1992

Yves H. Berthelot
Acoustics, laser instrumentation in acoustics, and ultrasonics

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Our panelists
Fall 90 as Assistant Professor Now Associate Professor GaTech Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Excellence in Teaching (College of Engineering), 1998 GaTech Order of Omega Outstanding Professor, 1998 GaTech Foundation Teaching Fellow Award, 1993 National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1992-1997

Our panelists
MS and PhD ('03) GaTech Undergrad (99) Penn State Currently Research Engineer NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2000-2003 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship, 2001-2003. Woodruff School Doctoral Teaching Internship, 2003. ASME Graduate Teaching Fellowship, 2003-2004

Jeffrey L. Streator
Computer-disk tribology, thin-film lubrication, capillarity and contact mechanics

Susan Stewart
Thermal / Energy Systems

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Our panelists
Douglas Spearot
Solid mechanics, materials science and interface behavior.

Today's agenda
Where to start? - Dr. Streator Then what? - Dr. Berthelot What's reality? - Dr. Stewart and Soonto-be-Dr. Spearot

MS (01) GaTech Undergrad (99) Michigan Currently Ph.D. Candidate Presented proposal, 2003 Engineering Sciences Summer Intern, Sandia National Labs, 2001 Georgia Institute of Technology Presidential Fellowship, 20012004 AESF Graduate Scholarship, 2001 G.W. Woodruff Fellowship, 2001

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

So let's figure out

Where to start?
Literature review within the context of the project Identify problems that are to be solved, that are interesting, and that have value.

Jeffrey L. Streator

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Literature Review
What has been done already?
Thesis must offer something new! Look here, there, everywhere

Problem Identification Whos paying?

Government? high flexibility; can be applied or theoretical about whats good for the nation Industry? less flexibility; practically focused about whats good for the company Private Foundation? most flexibility; can be applied or practical about what promotes ideals of foundation

Where are the holes?

formulate critique of previous work determine what you can add/improve

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Problem Identification (cont.)

What is the issue?
Lack of performance?
need for better technology

Problem Identification (cont.)

Characteristics of a good problem:
Can be defined
Hard to hit target if you dont know what it is

Lack of predictability?
need for better modeling

Can be solved
High simulation cost? need for better algorithms Does it allow multiple plans of attack?

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Problem Identification (conc.)

Characteristics of a good solution:
Can be particularized
Says something specific about something specific

In Summary . . .
3 easy steps for choosing topic:
1. Review 2. Critique 3. Formulate

Can be generalized
Aids our conceptual understanding

Can be validated
How do you know its right?

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Then what?
Generating ideas/hypothesis Preliminary work to check if ideas/hypothesis may work Putting it all together as a proposal

Generating ideas & hypotheses

Advisor driven, if funded on GRA Student driven, if you have your own support Read, read, read ! Talk, talk, talk ! Think, think, think !
Find hot topics / state-of-the-art / current limitations (e.g., from special sessions at conferences, literature search, etc - Experimental, numerical, analytical, open-ended design? Articulate clearly the novelty + intellectual merit of your idea High risk (revolutionary) versus low risk (evolutionary) Broader societal impact ?

Yves H. Berthelot

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Preliminary work
Literature search is absolutely essential
be very thorough and very organized. be critical: Understand limitations / assumptions behind each paper

Proposal
Ask to see previous model proposals as a guide Start early, propose reasonably early. It is a PROPOSAL not a pre-defense! Show scholarship.
do you have a good grasp of the existing literature? Articulate novelty of your proposed contribution clearly.

Define your strategy / approach Define resources needed Learn necessary skills (software, experiment, etc) Take helpful classes / talk to faculty members

Include a timeline The best part of the proposal may be the feedback you will get after you propose.

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

OK, what's practical?

Typical Research Timeline

Task Write proposal

Share their experiences Advice

Susan Stewart Douglas Spearot

Study preliminary problem Prepare to solve problem (classes) Literature survey/review Define research interests

Define initial Refine hypothesis Hypothesis

Time

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Defining Research Interests

Which classes did you find interesting?
Undergraduate Graduate

Literature Survey/Review
Starting a literature survey
Obtain a department copy card Direction:
Electronic databases (Compendex, Inspec) Prior students research

What areas involve the latest technology? What type of project are you interested in?
Experimental, computational or theoretical Search for a thesis advisor who shares common interests

ORGANIZATION!!!
Keep a short summary of each article Develop a method for locating journal articles

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Initial Problem Statement

Initial project ideas
Advisor will assist in this process Express your own interests/ideas Mandated research directives?

Initial Problem Statement

Maintain proper project scale
Masters? Ph.D.?

A good research question: Literature review is critical

Understand the assumptions in previous work Identify areas of limited research activity Can be explicitly phrased as a grammatically complete statement 30 second description of problem

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Preparing to Solve the Problem

Advanced classes
Identify classes that are useful to your research Sitting in on classes can be very helpful

Solving a Preliminary Problem

Illustrate that your hypothesis has merit Understand how to analyze the results
What can and can not be determined? Are there limitations to your techniques/models? Will additional measurements be required to provide sufficient data?

Research tools
Experimental
Equipment training, acquisition of materials, etc.

Computational
Software training, development, etc. Will computing time on outside facilities be required?

Complete preliminary work before you propose

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Writing Your Proposal

Refine your research hypothesis based on results of preliminary work
Does recently published research motivate new directions?

Writing Your Proposal

Start writing your proposal early
Begin with summary of the important literature Background may be written prior to the refinement of your research plan

Proposal format
Balance between background and proposed research will vary from student to student Be aware of page limitations be concise Be aware of your audience

Must prove to your research committee:

That your research is original and important That you are worthy of Ph.D. candidacy That you have a plan to graduate

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Have Fun
Once youve laid out the plan and have it approved, all you have to do is finish it! There will be bumps in the road and unexpected hurdles
But you are familiar with the problem solving process!

Wrap up
Slides will be available in MEGA website (http://www.me.gatech.edu/mega) MEGA 103? Any takers? Thanks to panelists Thanks to ME office support Thanks to MEGA volunteers

Start thinking about the chapters of your dissertation

MEGA Panel Discussion, Nov 9th 2004

Questions