Research Methods
There is more to research than research!
Nearly everything in research is built on the ability to communicate. Written communications, speaking, graphics and visualization are all vital skills for today’s researchers. You will learn how to implement proven research methods and career development skills
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Assignments
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Homework Assignments
- Homework 1 — Visualize a concept (due 4 Sep 2024)
- Homework 2 — Concept visualization (due 16 Sep 2024)
- Homework 3 — Presentations (due 23 Sep 2024)
- Homework 4 — Literature Search (due 9 Oct 2024)
- Homework 5 — Branding (due 6 Nov 2024)
- Homework 6 — Research Poster (due 20 Nov 2024)
Exams
- MIDTERM EXAM — Write a Letters Manuscript (due 30 Oct 2024)
- FINAL EXAM Part 1 — Research Proposal Document (due TBD)
- FINAL EXAM Part 2 — Research Proposal Presentation (due TBD)
(PDF) (Video) Lecture — Course Introduction
Professional Communications
Graphics & Visualization
Course Notes
- Professional Graphics for STEM
- Generating Professional Graphics with MATLAB
- (PDF) (Video) Lecture — 3D Graphics
External Information
Data Visualization Software
Blender Download and Documentation
- Blender.org — Software and documentation.
- (Link) EMPossible Manual & Tutorials
- (Link) EMPossible list of Blender Resources
MATLAB Download & Documentation
- UTEP Download
- Documentation
GNU Octave Download & Documentation
- GNU Octave Website
- Documentation
Writing
Course Notes
Web Resources
- Writing Resources
Software
Speaking
Course Notes
- (PDF) (Video) Lecture — Presentations
- (Video) Purple Presentation — Fractional Derivatives & Fractional Fourier Transforms
The notes for these courses are poor examples of slides solely intended for presentation. Instead, they are intended for students to read and follow independently. Here is a short presentation explaining very difficult concepts with very simple slides, minimal use of text, and good visuals to make the concepts intuitive. The purple background is for fun and to demonstrate creating slides with a matching color scheme. Unfortunately, the recording does not convey how the presenter makes himself the focus of attention and keeps eye contact with the audience.
Web Resources
Teaching
Course Notes
- (PDF) Guest Lecture — Teaching
Web Resources
- 10 Tips for First-Time Teaching Assistants
- Top Ten Tips for Being an Effective Teaching Assistant
- Drexel’s Manual “The Effective Teaching Assistant”
- How Should a Professor Be?
- Six Things That Make College Teachers Successful
- Effective Strategies for Improving College Teaching and Learning
- 10 Teaching Tips for the New College Instructor
Open-Source Software & Resources
Open-Source Software
- Octave — Scientific programming language
- Blender — 3D modeling, animations, and rendering
- GIMP — Image manipulation program
- Inkscape — Vector graphics
- Scribus — Desktop publishing
- Libre Office — Word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, diagrams, formula editor and more.
Graphics Resources
- dafont.com — Free fonts
- Unsplash — Freely usable images
- OpenClipart — Open source clipart
- Poly Haven — Public 3D asset library, including HDRI images
- coolors — fast color scheme generator
- Poster & Banner Maker — Print full size posters and banners using an ordinary printer.
- Block Posters — Print full size posters using an ordinary printer. This resource adds a watermark.
Web Resources
- LaTex Equation Editor — Write and experiment with LaTex equations
- latex2png — Convert a LaTex equation to a PNG graphics file
- EZGIF.COM — Convert other formats to GIF
Checklists for Graphics, Writing & Presentations
Graduate School & Research
Choosing a Research Topic, Advisor/Mentor, and Committee
Course Notes
- (PDF) (Video) Lecture — Choosing a Research Mentor/Advisor
- (PDF) (Video) Lecture — Choosing a Research Topic
- (PDF) Lecture — Choosing a Committee
Templates
- (PDF) Committee Member Invitation Message
Choosing a Research Advisor
- How do I choose an advisor in graduate school?
- Seven steps to finding the right advisor
- What matters in a Ph.D. advisor? Here’s what the research says
- The PhD journey: how to choose a good supervisor
Choosing a Research Topic
- How to Choose a Dissertation Topic for your Doctoral Degree
- Fool Proof Tips for Finding PhD Research Topics
- How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
Other Resources
Searching and Reading the Literature
Course Notes
How to Perform a Literature Review
- How to do an effective literature search in 5 steps
- How to search effectively
- Literature Review: Conducting & Writing
- Conducting a successful literature search: A researcher’s guided to tools, terms and techniques
- Literature Review: Outline, Strategies, and Examples
How to Read a Scientific/Engineering Paper
- How to READ a Scientific Paper
- How to read and understand a scientific paper
- Art of reading a journal article
Web Resources
Proposing & Defending Your Research
Course Notes
Templates
- (MS Word) Research Proposal Document Template
- (MS PowerPoint) Research Proposal Presentation Template
- (UTEP) Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines & Templates*
- (MS PowerPoint) Defense Presentation Template
- (PDF) (Zipped MS Publisher) Defense Flyer
* The template for a thesis or dissertation is university specific. Check with your university’s graduate school for a template and/or guidelines.
Web Resources
Doing Science
Course Notes
The Scientific Method
Design of Experiments
Dissemination
Course Notes
Publications & Peer Review Process
Scientific Posters
Web Resources
Templates
- (MS Word) Peer-Review Response Letter Template
Note the lack of formatting in this letter. For some journals you can upload a formatted document, but in others you must copy/paste unformatted text. This template is convenient because it works for both cases.
Psychological Aspects of Graduate School
Learning Strategies
Course Notes
Web Resources
Data Management
Course Notes
Web Resources
- Managing Your Data: Project Start & End Checklists
- ezDMP — online tool to help you build the Data Management Plans for your NSF grant applications
- Guidelines for Effective Data Management Plans
- Data Management Plan Resources & Examples
- Wikipedia Data Management Plans
Responsible Conduct & Ethics
Time Management & Planning
Course Notes
Business & Career Aspects of Research
General Advice for Graduate School and Research
Course Notes
- (PDF) Lecture — General Advice for Graduate School
Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Course Notes
- (PDF) Lecture — Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Web Resources
- Searching for Patents (USPTO)
- Google Patent Search
- Free Patent Search Tool
- www.pat2pdf.org — A free patent search tool
Branding Yourself and Your Research
Branding a Business
- Six Reasons Branding is More Important Than Ever
- The importance of branding: why branding matters
- How to Build Your Own Brand in 8 Simple Steps
Branding Yourself
Professional Networking
Professional Networking
- Why professional networking is so important
- Top 12 benefits of professional networking and how to get started
- How to Build and Maintain a Professional Network
Online Networking Resources
Writing Business Proposals
Course Notes
Templates
- (DOCX) Project Skeleton – Plan your project and proposal before writing the proposal.
Web Resources
Project Budgets
Course Notes
Web Resources
Business Strategy
Course Notes
- (PDF) Lecture — Business Strategy
Entrepreneurship
Web Resources
- Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce
- (YouTube) What they don’t tell you about entrepreneurship
- (YouTube) How to be an Entrepreneur
