Computer Laboratory

Research Methods

Principal lecturer: Dr Neil Dodgson
Taken by: MPhil ACS

Lecture titles, homework, and exercises

The course is based on Justin Zobel's book Writing for computer science.

Exercises

There are nine compulsory assessed exercises. Details can be found in the homework and exercises handout.

  1. Mon 18 Oct — read
  2. Mon 25 Oct — review
  3. Mon 1 Nov — summarise
  4. Mon 8 Nov — write
  5. Mon 15 Nov — cut
  6. Mon 22 Nov — edit
  7. Mon 6 Dec — experiment
  8. Mon 29 Nov — graph
  9. Mon 9 May to Wed 11 May — present

Lectures

Lectures are given by Prof. Neil Dodgson, except where noted, and are all held in Lecture Theatre 2 in the William Gates Building.

  1. Mon 11 Oct — reading: introduction and how to read a paper
  2. Wed 13 Oct — reading: how to review a paper, where to publish papers, and the research process
  3. Mon 18 Oct — writing: who are you writing for and writing style
  4. Wed 20 Oct — writing: more on style and editing
  5. Mon 25 Oct — writing: writing the first draft, structuring a paper, and fine details of style
  6. Wed 27 Oct — writing (new lecture)
  7. Mon 1 Nov — writing: how to write a good research paper — guest lecture by Prof. Simon-Peyton Jones
  8. Wed 3 Nov — experimental methods: design of experiments — by Prof. Peter Robinson
  9. Mon 8 Nov — experimental methods: data analysis — by Prof. Peter Robinson
  10. Wed 10 Nov — experimental methods: statistical analysis — by Prof. Peter Robinson
  11. Mon 15 Nov — graphs, figures, tables, maths and algorithms
  12. Wed 17 Nov — graphs, figures, tables, maths and algorithms (new lecture)
  13. Mon 22 Nov — presenting: how to give a presentation
  14. Wed 24 Nov — unused lecture slot
  15. Mon 29 Nov — presenting: how to prepare a presentation
  16. Wed 1 Dec — presenting: example presentations (new lecture)