Skills: Research

Exploring Problem Space

Exploring a problem space requires reading a lot of papers, and installing and making use of the tools currently, and previously, in use, while also making use of published text books. As a researcher in a computer literate field the majority of the research work is available online, which has enhanced my skills as an internet information retriever. This does not mean I do not make use of physical texts, this are of key importance in my research into the more established side of my work: dynamical systems theory and the mathematics therein.

Finding Research Problems

From an academic standpoint determining if a problem is research-worthy is of key importance. Determining this is mostly a mix of domain specific knowledge and reading a large amount of research papers. Once the key researchers are identified in a given area, focussing on reading all the published work by those authors helps ensure a detailed level of knowledge on the area; this aids a good researcher in determining if a problem is research-worthy.

Explaining Technical Issues to non-Technical Individuals

Explaining the ideas contained in my research in a clear manner to non-technical people is also of key importance. Arguably it is more important than explaining it to like-minded researchers: non-technical individuals make up the majority of the population, and it is vital that they appreciate that research has an impact on their lives. My research is aimed at making control systems, from server farms to automatic window openers, better. The ability to explain my research in a well-grounded manner allows me to demonstrate how my research could help every person who makes use of computer systems.