Building a Successful Research Program

Oscar Nierstraszscg.unibe.ch/oscar

ICSM PhD Symposium, Sept 13, 2010

The Research Plan

Publishing

Focus

PhD Research Patterns

The Research Plan

Be Problem-Oriented Use a Spiral Research Model

Make a Research Map Exercise Lateral

Thinking

Identify your Research Community

Be Problem-Oriented!

Avoid being “solution-oriented”

Look for research at the border of two fields

Use a Spiral Research Model

Start with low-hanging fruit

Agile and iterative applies to

research too!

Keep notes!

Make a Research Map

Exercise Thinking

Lateral

Identify your Research Community

Publishing

Write “One paper at a time”

Package your Research

Include One Startling Sentence

Aim high

The Reviewer is your Friend

Write “One paper at a time”

Take baby steps

PhD as “junk sculpture”

Package your Research

• Say what you’re going to say …• One key point• Emphasize the

contribution• Write for the

reviewer

Include One Startling Sentence

Aim high

The Reviewer is your Friend

Focus

Be VisibleBeware of

Distractions

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Be Visible

Avoid Common Pitfalls

• Tough nut• Wanderlust• Impatience• The perfectionist• No progress

Beware of Distractions

PROCASTINATIONHARD WORK OFTEN PAYS OFF OVER TIME,

BUT LAZINESS ALWAYS PAYS OFF NOW