Research and Technical Writing for Science and Engineering

Meikang Qiu, Han Qiu, Yi Zeng

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781000541298
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Programming Games
• Index: Computer Science

Engineering and science research can be difficult for beginners because scientific research is fraught with constraints and disciplines. Research and Technical Writing for Science and Engineering breakdowns the entire process of conducting engineering and scientific research. This book covers those fascinating guidelines and topics on conducting research, as well as how to better interact with your advisor.

Key Features:

• advice on conducting a literature review, conducting experiments, and writing a good paper summarizing your findings.
• provides a tutorial on how to increase the impact of research and how to manage research resources.

By reflecting on the cases discussed in this book, readers will be able to identify specific situations or dilemmas in their own lives, as the authors provide comprehensive suggestions based on their own experiences.

IIFind Your Idea of Research

CHAPTER 3How to Select Research Topics

DOI: 10.1201/​9781003139058-3

CONTENTS

1. 3.1 Overview
2. 3.2 Identify an Area of Interest
3. 3.3 Browse the Literature
4. 3.4 Pick a Topic and Dive
5. 3.5 Identify a Research Question
6. 3.6 List of research topics and keywords in Computer Science
   • 3.6.1 Artificial Intelligence
   • 3.6.2 Communications and Media
   • 3.6.3 Computer Science and Engineering
7. 3.7 Dynamic Programming in Research and Problem Solving
   • 3.7.1 An Example for Cost Minimization
   • 3.7.2 Greedy vs. Dynamic
   • 3.7.3 Industrial and Research Applications of Dynamic Programming
8. 3.8 Summary

This chapter explains how to choose research directions and specific subjects. Choosing study directions and subjects for scientific and engineering research is influenced not only by personal interests, but also by the authors' previous knowledge and current research trends. Following the key research trends will be highly essential in many science and engineering disciplines because research trends change very fast. This chapter will provide some instances relating to various research trends.

3.1 Overview

Once you have decided to gain experience by being involved in research, you have to face the huge question: What will I study? If you have decided to join a research lab or jump on board with research that a particular professor is conducting, this question will be answered for you. However, if you will conduct research through an independent study of your own under the advisement of a faculty member, or if you have joined a lab designed to facilitate students' independent research endeavors, this question will probably consume much of your time. However, consider this approach if this is your first research project: look at research that others around you are doing. If any of it interests you, approach that researcher about working together and maybe even adding a variable that you can make your own. There are some significant advantages to identifying a topic this way. If you are interested in an area, work with another researcher on their project. This means you know more about it from the beginning, and whomever you are working with can point you toward key journals, authors, and measures. Also, someone with increased exposure to the area you want to study will be able to help you identify possible problems with your design. After all, they have already had to develop an idea, decide how to approach it, and iron out all the kinks.

If, however, you want to conduct your first project independently, you are likely to have quite a task ahead of you. And if you plan to jump onto someone else's research team, it is always nice to bring fresh ideas to the table when you come. Generally, the identification of a research topic for a new researcher can be broken down into a five-step process:

3.2 Identify an Area of Interest

Selecting a topic is possibly the most challenging part of doing research. Is it too big? Is it too narrow? Will I be able to find enough on it? Start by choosing a topic that you like or are curious about. You're going to be working on it for quite a while, so try and find one that's interesting and that you can reasonably cover in the time and space available.

Indeed, your progress will be faster (and more fulfilling) if you are genuinely interested in your topic, and you may also learn something valuable in the process. Is there an event or problem in your life that's related to the course you are taking? By choosing a topic that has meaning in the broader context of your own life, you may find the answer to a question or solve a problem, in addition to advancing your studies. Don't overlook the importance of motivation because research often requires persistence, and you are more likely to keep looking if you care about finding the answer.

Here are some tips for you to choose your first research topic:

1. Choose a topic that you are interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.
2. Narrow your topic to something manageable:
   • If your topic is too broad, you will find too much information and not be able to focus.
   • Background reading can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic
3. Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment.Ask your professor or TA for suggestions.
4. Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
5. Talk about research ideas with a friend. S/he may help focus your topic by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.
6. Think of the who, what, when, where, and why questions:
   • WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?
   • WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?
   • WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?
   • WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic?
   • WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

Also, keep in mind that each area under the science and engineering umbrella has the potential to offer exciting insights into your own research, such as an applicable theory, different statistical methods, or a unique perspective from which to think critically about your own research. This is an essential aspect when you are writing a paper that should accompany major research projects you undertake.

3.3 Browse the Literature

Often, the simple act of reviewing literature that is already out there will spark a flame for a new research idea. Simply by browsing through abstracts from a few key journals in the area you are interested in, you will learn not only about what has been studied but also what has been studied a lot and what has been somewhat ignored. Just browse through journal articles until you come across something that interests you. When you read an abstract and are so interested in the topic that you find yourself wanting to read the whole article, you are there.

Over and above, read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates to more general, narrower and related issues. It also provides an excellent source for finding words commonly used to describe the topic. These keywords may be beneficial to your later research. If you can't find an article on your topic, try using broader terms and ask for help from a librarian.

Here are some tips for getting your hands on browsing the literature to find topics that interest you:

• Use the article database that most famous in your domain to scan top-tier conferences, journals. E.g., suppose your research topic or interested domain is within the scope of computer science or electronic engineering. In that case, you might find IEEE explore as a great tool to get yourself to dive into the most recent articles. Meanwhile, google scholar and arXiv are also helpful tools to explore new ideas and topics before official publications.
• Use Web search engines to find Web sites on the topic. It is also helpful for you to scan through the industrial needs by exploring articles and news from the internet.

3.4 Pick a Topic and Dive

After you have a clear awareness of the current status of the wide range of topics, you should start to question yourself on one crucial question: What do you want to study in one word or less?

As you browse through past issues of key journals, write down everything you find interesting. No paragraphs or dissertations for this, just a list of topics or concepts – but be sure to include enough information that you will remember what the items in your list mean. Suppose you write down SQL but don't remember later that SQL stands for Structured Query Language. In that case, you will end up having to go back through journals to find that exciting tidbit again. Now that you have this list, read over it several times put it down, and walk away. The topic(s) you can't stop thinking about is probably the one you want to pursue.

After you have a clear mind on what most interests you, the procedure is to dive and explore more. One thing that we highly recommend is that you should keep your topic manageable. A to...