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Personal Opinion for Good Research

William JenNCTU of Taiwan, 2015

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Outline

1. Good Research2. Good Research Process 3. Good Thesis (Dissertation)4. Conclusion

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1. Good Research

1.0 Graduate vs. undergraduate1.1 Original thought1.2 Contribution to knowledge1.3 Sound methodology1.4 Others

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1.0 Graduate vs. undergraduate• researcher, re-search　 Problem formulation and solution, researchable

(narrow down) problem (system) abstract reasoning, empirical test 　　　　建立理論架構 , 應用科學方法驗證 • 1. research (scientific) methods, 2. research methodology, 3. philosophy of science: paradigm shift, Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific

Revolutions, 1962 Science as Falsification, Karl R. Popper, Conjectures and

Refutations, 1963

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脫困• 困而學之• 學術 vs. 非學術研究 (research vs. study)• 實證 vs. 探索研究 (EFA, CFA)

(Exploratory or Confirmatory Factor Analysis)• 量化 vs. 質化研究方法• 方法盲 vs. 問題盲

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1.1 Original thought

• Contemporary hot, • Interesting (to others and self).

• Thinking: 1. logic, 2. critical, 3. creative, 4. political, 5. positive thinking

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1.2 Contribution to knowledge

• Integration of research stream,• Go beyond synthesis, • Well focused.

• So what?• What’s new?

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1.3 Sound methodology • Creative, unique, doable.

1. Method: mathematical model, statistical tools, case study.

2. Data: representative, variation, quality, e.g., Economics: monthly established data set.    Marketing: primary data survey.

3. Robust results: applicability / generalizable Managerial implications: policy / planning, industry /

business

Parsimony vs. over fit model

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Research Reasoning

• DeductionDeduction is a form of inference that purports to be conclusive (i.e., the conclusion must necessarily follow from the reasons given).

• InductionTo induce is to draw a conclusion from one or more particular facts or pieces of evidence.

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1.4 Others

• Format, • Achievable in reasonable time,• Matches student capabilities,• Area for professional development, • Attractive for funding. 

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2. Good Research Process

2.1 Idea generating,2.2 Planning a research,2.3 Conducting a research,2.4 Professional Communicating.

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2.1 Idea generating

• Every day life observation, • Journal and conference paper: SSCI, SCI, EI, TSSCI,

• problem oriented, • to be curious,• make a difference.

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• Hypothesis: 攸關多角化經營 (X) 可提高企業績效 (Y) Empirical test: Y = f (X) = a + b X, 回歸係數 b 是負值？• 其他影響因素：前提是該企業必須擁有及活用多樣化的智慧財產 (Z), 回歸係數 c 是正值！ Moderating effect

• 無法測量的因素： SEM

*Miller, D. J, 2006, Technological Diversity, Related Diversification, and Firm Performance, Strategic Management Journal, 27(7): 601~619.

策略可提高企業績效 ?

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• Kmart 模仿業界龍頭 Wal-Mart 的低價策略 (X), 為何績效 (Y) 沒有大幅提昇？ 其他影響因素：郊區設點並加強 logistics 效率

(Z1), 建置 IT 系統預測銷售 (Z2), Everyday Low Price 口號深入人心不需再多打廣告 (Z3)

• Hypothesis: 相較於購併 , 以獨資的方式成立海外分公司 (X), 對於之後的績效表現 (Y) 會有更正面的影響 其他影響因素：該企業擁有特別優秀的技術能力 , 怕外流到競爭對手 (Z1), 找不到適當的購併對象

(Z2)

策略可提高企業績效 ?

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• Do a review of your own• Read widely and deeply on your topic and its

background, read review papers in your field• Helps to give structure and organization• Identifies trends and gaps and can support the

significance of your research

• Abstract, integration, extension

Synthesizes the literature

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2.2 Planning a research

• Have an intense desire to know, • State the research objectives clearly, • Search the literature, • Formulate operational hypothesis,• Select a study strategy.

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Proposal

•一個有趣且重要的問題，而非枝微末節•有助於科學現象的了解，不只是陳述而已•此計畫可行

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Experimentalsimulations

Fieldexperiments

Fieldstudies

Computersimulations

Formaltheory

Surveys

Judgmenttasks

Laboratoryexperiments

Obtrusiveresearchoperations

Unobtrusiveresearchoperations

Universalbehavioralsystems

Particularbehavioral

systems

No one Method is Better or Worse

A

B C

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Designs Thoughtfully

• All research is flawed – Researchers very often examine only narrowly

defined problems. – Researchers use less-than-perfect methods of

observation– Researchers usually use less-than-perfect samples

• Plays to the strength of the method• Pilots • Seeks criticism

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2.3 Conducting a research

• Project organization and management, • Measurement, • Data collection.

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2.4 Professional communicating

* IMRAD• Introduction• Methods• Results• Discussion

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Select Your Journals, 我發表，故我在• Have the researchers selected an important

problem? Were the researchers reflective? • Are any major methodological flaws unavoidable

or forgivable?• Is the report cohesive? • Does the report extend the boundaries of our

knowledge on a topic? Is the research likely to inspire additional

research?

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SSCI, “Transportation” 領域之期刊Rank Abbreviated Journal Title Impact

Factor1 TRANSPORT RES B-METH 1.948 2 ACCIDENT ANAL PREV 1.586 3 TRANSPORT SCI 1.427 4 TRANSPORT RES A-POL 1.352 5 TRANSPORT RES D-TR E 1.319 6 TRANSPORTATION 1.242 7 TRANSPORT RES F-TRAF 1.078 8 TRANSPORT RES E-LOG 1.000 9 TRANSPORTMETRICA 0.960

10 TRANSPORT POLICY 0.883

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SSCI, “Transportation” 領域之期刊( 續 )

Rank Abbreviated Journal Title Impact Factor

11 J SAFETY RES 0.835

12 J TRANSP ECON POLICY 0.780

13 TRANSPORT REV 0.747 14 J AIR TRANSP MANAG 0.453 15 INT J TRANSP ECON 0.194 16 TRANSPORT J 0.129

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SCI, “Transportation Science & Technology”領域之期刊

(Accessed at 2007.05.28)

Rank Abbreviated Journal Title Impact Factor

1 TRANSPORT RES B-METH 1.948 2 IEEE T INTELL TRANSP 1.689 3 TRANSPORT SCI 1.427 4 TRANSPORT RES A-POL 1.352 5 TRANSPORT RES D-TR E 1.319 6 TRANSPORTATION 1.242 7 IEEE T VEH TECHNOL 1.191 8 TRANSPORT RES E-LOG 1.000 9 TRANSPORTMETRICA 0.960 10 TRANSPORT RES C-EMER 0.875 11 J ADV TRANSPORT 0.562

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SCI, “Transportation Science & Technology”領域之期刊 ( 續 )

(Accessed at 2007.05.28)

Rank Abbreviated Journal Title Impact Factor

12 NETW SPAT ECON 0.514 13 J TRANSP ENG-ASCE 0.498 14 INT J AUTOMOT TECHN 0.476 15 P I MECH ENG D-J AUT 0.280 16 P I MECH ENG F-J RAI 0.218 17 INT J VEHICLE DES 0.183 18 P I CIVIL ENG-TRANSP 0.109 19 TRANSPORT PLAN TECHN 0.106 20 ITE J 0.054 21 INT J HEAVY VEH SYST 0.051 22 HEAVY VEH SYST 0.000

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• Practicing – students and new researchers• Testing out ideas and getting feedback• Laying a claim to an idea • Raising profile / networking• Might score a special-issue journal paper

Try Conferences and Minor Journals

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3. Good Dissertation (Thesis)1. You really want to be an expert in this area, 3 essays.2. Possible continuation.3. STAR Prepare: Project funding, Teaching, Lab

management, Peer review……

* “Recent doctoral dissertations”, Transportation Research, Part A. 

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Other Suggestions• Business / Engineering research mostly empirical, needs

to be relevant first, but then conducted and presented rigorously.

• Work with others. Have multiple research areas but focus on becoming a true leader in one area.

• Start early… takes a long time to publish, keep up a pipeline of work.

• Stay visible … give talks, be a reviewer, write papers, be on program committees.

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4. Conclusion• 看似平常最奇絕，成如容易卻艱難 ～王安石• 問君那得清如許，謂有源頭活水來 ～朱熹• 王國維，人間詞話

– 昨夜西風凋碧樹，獨上西樓，望盡天涯路 ～晏殊 – 衣帶漸寬終不悔，為伊消得人憔悴 ～歐陽永叔 – 眾裡尋他千百度，驀然迴首 ，那人卻在燈火欄珊處 ～辛幼安 – ( 流水落花春去也，天上人間 ～李煜 )

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Reference1. 《撰寫博碩士論文實戰手冊》 http://www.books.com.tw/products/00101071002. Graduate School Survival Guide http://smi.stanford.edu/people/pratt/smi/advice.html3. How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students

and Advisors http://www.csee.umbc.edu/~mariedj/papers/advice.pdf4. 研究所新生完全求生手冊 http://ppt.cc/B4m~5. Wei, K. K., Publishing Papers in IS Journal, 2008/4/24   

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Reading Guidelines 1.  Understand the key theme2.  Articulate author’s conceptual framework - Typology - Underlying rationale and assumptions3.  Identify strengths and weakness - New insights - Conflicts (internal and external) - Contributions - Other comments4.  Develop your own framework 

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Presentation Guidelines 1. Assume everyone in the class has already read

the assigned material.2. The 1st one: outline the reading material,

comment and questions.3. The 2nd one: comments and questions.4. Questions and answer session.5. Conclusion

* All the sit-in students are cordially invited to participate the class discussion.

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Class Performance 1. Is the participant a good listener?2. Are the points that are made relevant to the discussion?

Are they linked to the comments of others?3. Do comments show evidence of applying the concepts from

the readings to the analysis of the case?4. Is there a willingness to test new ideas, or are all comments

“safe”? (e.g., repetition of case facts without analysis and conclusion)

5. Do comments clarify or build upon the important aspects of earlier comments and lead to a clearer statement of the concepts being covered and the problems being addressed?

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Q & Awljen@mail.nctu.edu.twhttp://140.113.119.160