Post on 13-Dec-2015
transcript
Introduction to Science and its methods – PART 2
Fausto Giunchiglia
Thanks to R.Brandtweiner
Literature:
Robert V. Smith. Graduate Research, 1998
Jeffrey A. Lee. The scientific endeavor, 2000
Index:1. Science … and Engineering2. Tasks of Science3. Languages and Models4. The philosophy of Science
4.1 Scientific methods4.2 Syllogism4.3 Empiricism4.4 Positivism4.5 Popper: Principle of Falsification4.6 Beyond positivism and Falsification4.7 Kuhn: scientific paradigms
5. The Comunity of scientists6. Misconduct in Science
5. The Comunity of scientists
“A Goal of science is to achieve
consensus over the widest
possible field”
The Community of Scientists
Science as a social institution. The goal of science is a consensus of rational opinion over the widest possible field.
But there are constraints
• Education
• Tradition
• Sequence of gaining knowledge – existing theories (paradigm) may limit perception
The Community of Scientists
Scientific norms
• Communism
• Universalism
• Disinterestedness
• Originality
• Skepticism
Communism:
• scientific knowledge is the property of everyone
• scientists have to publish their results
Scientific norms
Universalism:
• no privileged sources of scientific knowledge
• the only criterion is competence
Scientific norms
Disinterestedness:
• refers to a lack of bias or a lack of self-interest
• is not the same as being uninterested
Scientific norms
Originality:
• work should be original
Scientific norms
Skepticism:
• Scientists are critical
• Skepticism as peer review
Scientific norms
Instruments
• Invisible colleges• Peer review• Reward System
Invisible Colleges (communication networks):• Journals• Conferences• Projects• …
Instruments
Peer Review:• independent peers review the paper• accept or reject it
… almost never a perfect process
Instruments
Reward System:• Recognition among peers• Invited Talks• Program Chair of Conferences• Community Prizes• Top Prizes• Salary• Contract money
Instruments
6. Misconduct in Science
In Science integrity is the most
important thing
Misconduct in Science
• Easy to say• Hard to do• Science punishes misconduct
Scientific Commandments:Be HonestNever manipulate dataBe preciseBe fair with regard to priority and ideasBe without bias with regard to the data and ideas of your rivalDo not make compromises in trying to solve a problem
Hans Mohr, 1979
Misconduct in Science
Examples:
• Fraud
Misconduct in Science
Fabrication[make up data results]
Falsification[change data results]
• Plagiarism: use of someone’s else words (ideas, pictures, …) without giving proper credit
Misconduct in Science
Misconduct in Science
• Conflict of Interest: avoid personal issues• Paper of a friend• Paper of a competing group
• Failing to retain research data for a reasonable period• Maintaining inadequate research records• Refusing to give peers access to research materials• Inappropriate statistic to enhance the significance of
research findings• Inadequately supervising research subordinates• Misrepresenting speculations as fact• Releasing results without providing sufficient data• Selective reporting of research• Interference• Self-plagiarism
Questionable Research Practices
In Science the Honesty is the key issue…
Misconduct in Science
… otherwise …
… we loose the game badly
How to do research
Fausto Giunchiglia
Literature:
Robert V. Smith. Graduate Research, 1998
Jeffrey A. Lee. The scientific endeavor, 2000
By Fausto Giunchiglia and Alessandro Tomasi
Index:
1. Research and Scholarship2. Factors for success
2.1 Attitude2.2 Commitment2.3 Creativity
3. Making Choices3.1 Types of research3.2 Advisor3.3 Programs of Study3.4 Disciplinary vs. Interdisciplinary
4. Time Management4.1 Set Goals4.2 Make a todo list4.3 Time Wasters
5. PHD Thesis5.1 Choosing a scientific problem5.2 Timing of PHD
1. Research and Scholarship
Research and Scholarship
Two dimensions:
1. do research:= Vertical Dimension
2. achieve scholarship:= Horizontal Dimension
You must make time for each!!!
Computer
Networks Multimedia
Communications Software
Engineering Knowledge
Management
Vertical dimension
Horizontal dimension
Research and Scholarship
New ideas may come
from boundary between areas
Research and Scholarship