Methods and Techniques of Scientific Research

Identify the problem to be solved

Set realistic and measurable Goals Carry out an Intensive Literature Review Make sure you have the needed equipment and material (especially for experimental research).

Method and Techniques continued

Apply the known methods and techniques.
Develop new techniques whenever possible. Record all your results/comments/findings

Report your results to your advisor/team on regular basis (weekly if possible) Publish your results

Ten Simple Rules for Graduate Students

by Jenny Gu & Philip E. Bourne (2007), PLoS Comput Biol 3(11): e229.

Let Passion be the Driving Force of Your Success Select the Right Mentor [Advisor], Project, and Laboratory Independent Thinking is a Mark of a True Scientist

Ten Rules continued

Remember, Life is all about Balance
Think Ahead and Develop your Professional Career Early

Remain Focused on your Hypothesis while Avoiding being Held Back

Ten Rules continued

Address Problems Earlier Rather than Later
Share your Scientific Success with the World Build Confidence and a Thick Skin Help Select and Subsequently Engage Your Thesis Committee

Ethics
.

Ethics continued
HW and assignments
Take Home Exams (include precise references) Presentations Thesis (include precise citations)

How to choose your advisor?

Choose the best in your department (even if he is demanding). publications in top journals (e.g. top ISI journals). International/regional connections: keynote speaker at international conferences, international collaborators, Ph.D. students. engagement in research projects.

Engagement in some formally recognized Research Group.

do NOT listen to what other students tell you!!!!! Choose a co-advisor.

MAC LANES INFLUENCE ON HIS STUDENTS W. HOWARD, JHRS 2 (2), 2007, 35.

He began supervising Ph.D. students at Harvard (1938-1948), then at the University of Chicago (1948 onward). Sometimes the dissertation topic was suggested by Mac Lane, from one of his own fields of expertise. Other times, the student approached him with his own topic, not in any area of Mac Lanes expertise (at least, not in an area of his current interests). He showed an impressive ability to adjust the manner of his supervision accordingly.

Publications
Do not finish your Ph.D. without publishing/submitting papers for publications (2 for Science, 4 for Engineering)
Publish only in Excellent Journals (e.g. ISI journals) Quality is much more important than quantity. However, the production line should not stop!!

Conferences
Try to attend as many conferences as you can (even if you have to pay for them).
Try to present some talks at conferences.

When you attend a conference, do not be shy and try to talk to top researchers; however, be well prepared for such talks.

Literature
Intensive Literature Review
Web of Knowledge (ISI) Scopus

Science Direct
Springer Link

Literature continued
Google: Scholar
Google: Books Google (and other search machines)

Library Online Services

Online Catalogue
Theses ILL Request Form

Book Recommendation Form

iThenticate Request Form (for KFUPM Faculty)

Math Databases & Links

Mathematical Reviews (American Mathematical Society) ZentralBlattMath (European Mathematical Society) Arxiv (Preprints Server)
Math Calendar

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
Online Databases
E-Books E-Journals E-Encyclopedias

Quick Questions Answers

Why KFUPM? . why not?
France, Austria or KFUPM? .. Guaranteed Ph.D.? . NO. Word of Latex? Latex (maybe with Scientific Workplace)