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MAKING CHOICES-ROBERT V. SMITH

指導老師：任維廉 教授學生：科管碩一 邱弘懿

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自我介紹邱弘懿

學歷政治大學資訊管理學系畢業交通大學科技管理碩一

工作經驗中華民國對外貿易發展協會展覽業務處科定企業股份有限公司

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文章出處書名： GRADUATE RESEARCH -a guide for students in the science作者： Robert V. Smith -Ph.D. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Michigan

-Vice President of CBT University Consulting up from 2013-now

-Senior Vice President at Texas Tech University (TTU) from 2009-2013

-Professor of Chemistry at the University of Arkansas

-Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Connecticut

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OUTLINE

Types of Research Choosing an advisor Role Models Financial Support Programs of Study Interdisciplinary VS. Disciplinary Research Research Problem Courses & Research Aids Thesis & Dissertation Committee Members

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TYPES OF RESEARCH

Basic Research(基礎研究 ) study of fundamental properties of subjects E.g., 材料的特性

Applied Research(應用研究 ) focus on the usefulness of subjects E.g., 材料的應用

Useless basic research of today may serve as a necessary precursor to vital applied research of tomorrow!

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TYPES OF RESEARCH(CONT.)

Basic Research Applied Research

Purpose Narrow Wide

Researcher Isolation Interaction

Career In a limited field Combination of goals

Equipment & Tools

May not be available

Commercially available

Time needed More Less

Benefit To be evaluated Immediate

Psychic Rewards More Less

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR

Find an advisor who supports creative development and interacts well with people

3 types of advisors based on supervisory approaches Collaborator type Hands-off type Senior scientist type

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR(CONT.)

Collaborator Hands-off Senior scientist

Academically Young Mid-level Well-established

Attention quality

Low Mid High

Time for students

More Less Varying

Time allowance less more Varying

others Publications and students are related to promotion and tenure

• Field experta desirable master- student relationship

• Past gloriesmay be trained in outdated methods

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR(CONT.)

Advisor’s reputation as a scientist is important, which can be judged by his curriculum vitae.

Determinants The number and the quality of papers published

(SCI/ SSCI) Invited presentations and consultantships during

past 5 years The number of grants completed The number of graduating students The laboratories in operation and the number of

professionals(<10) Organizational structure(hierarchical) Grant funds available to cover research costs

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR(CONT.)

Choose advisors with following traits: Demanding but caring and compassionate Respect for individuality Enthusiasm and personal support Patience recognition

How to measure: STUDENT TURNOVER

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR(CONT.)

In summary, the choice of an advisor is based on: Accomplishments in teaching and research Enthusiasm for advising students Experience in directing graduating students Management and organization of his research

group Reputation for setting high standards in

congenial atmosphere Compatible personality

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CHOOSING AN ADVISOR(CONT.)

Applications: A personal interview involving aforementioned

points visit his current students Work with potential advisors on a trial basis

When an incompatible advisor is chosen: Honest communication Change advisors

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ROLE MODELS

Good role models: Departmental or program faculty Other researchers

complementary talents Graduate students

Representative in different stages

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Supported in 3 ways: Teaching assistantship

Find out what duties are required Research assistantship

Better to dovetail duties and thesis or career goals . Choose the supervisor carefully

Research fellowship Ideal because of complete devotion to thesis and

course work

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PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Should be flexible yet provide core knowledge needed for performance as a researcher.

Integrated plan Integration of course work and research

Block-effort plan First in course work then in research

Must we choose between these two options? Permutation between them: taking courses

involving mini-research projects or preparation of research proposals

Plan of study

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INTERDISCIPLINARY VS. DISCIPLINARY

Disciplinary work is a useful starting point, but the nature of problems facing society is interdisciplinary. Chemical-biological study

The mixing and blending of research activities lead to new fields or disciplines. “new” field of computer science roots in Math,

engineering, and linguistics.

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RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Points to consider when choosing a problem: Can it be enthusiastically pursued Can interest be sustained Is the problem solvable Is it worth doing Will it lead to other research problems Is it manageable in size What is its potential for making original contributions to

the literature If the problem is solved, will the results be reviewed well

by scholars in your field Are you, or will you become competent to solve it By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent

skills in your discipline Will the necessary research prepare you in an area of

demand or promise for the future

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RESEARCH PROBLEMS(CONT.)

The choice of a research problem A highly personalized decision Professional opportunities after graduation

A research must be solvable in a reasonable time and have potential for contributions to the literature: Uncover new facts Suggests new relationships Challenges currently accepted truths and

assumptions Provides new insights into poorly understood

phenomena

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COURSES AND RESEARCH AIDS

Courses are chosen based on curricula requirements or disciplinary objectives.

Courses that provide tools of research are also important.(e.g., programming, statistics) On-line resources are available nowadays

Competency in foreign languages Important to career goals Facilitate international collaborative efforts of

research

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THESIS & DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Master’s thesis is supervised by committee members consisting of 3-5 field experts, including the advisor( in Taiwan)

Guidelines for choosing an advisor could be applied in selecting thesis committee members

Research problems involving a different field significantly are advised to find the related field expert to form the committee.

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THESIS & DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Master’s thesis is supervised by committee members consisting of: M.S.(3-4), Ph.D.(3-6), An advisor chairs the

committee 3-5 field experts, including the advisor( in Taiwan)

Guidelines for choosing an advisor could be applied in selecting thesis committee members

Research problems involving a different field significantly are advised to find the related field expert to form the committee.

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THE END