Personal Opinion for Good Research William Jen NCTU of Taiwan, Feb. 2017

Outline 1. Good Research 2. Good Research Process 3. Good Thesis (Dissertation) 4. Conclusion

1. Good Research 1.0 Graduate vs. undergraduate 1.1 Original thought 1.2 Contribution to knowledge 1.3 Sound methodology 1.4 Others

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

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

1.1 Original thought Contemporary hot, Interesting (to others and self). Thinking: 1. logic, 2. critical, 3. creative, 4. political, 5. positive thinking

1.2 Contribution to knowledge Integration of research stream, Go beyond synthesis, Well focused. 直接套用西方理論，很難解釋台灣的集體代工現象或混和車流問題。 So what? What’s new?

1.3 Sound methodology Method: Creative, unique, doable. mathematical model, statistical tools, case study. Parsimony vs. over fit model 2. Data: representative, variation, quality, e.g., Economics: monthly established data set. Marketing: primary data survey. simple source vs. paired. Cross-sectional vs. Longitudinal. Robust Results: applicability / generalizable *Managerial implications: policy / planning, industry / business

Research Reasoning Deduction Induction Deduction is a form of inference that purports to be conclusive (i.e., the conclusion must necessarily follow from the reasons given). Induction To induce is to draw a conclusion from one or more particular facts or pieces of evidence.

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

2. Good Research Process 2.1 Idea generating, 2.2 Planning a research, 2.3 Conducting a research, 2.4 Professional Communicating.

2.1 Idea generating Every day life observation, Journal and conference paper: SSCI, SCI, EI, TSSCI, problem oriented, to be curious, make a difference.

策略可提高企業績效? Hypothesis: 多角化經營 (X) 可提高企業價值 (Y) Empirical test: Y = f (X) = a + b X, 但若回歸係數 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)！Moderating effect *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? 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)

Synthesizes the literature 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 有趣的問題或現象是什麼？有關這問題或現象，別人做了什麼？你覺得還有哪裡不足？你想要怎麼做？

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.

Proposal 一個有趣 (反直覺) 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

No one Method is Better or Worse Obtrusive A research Laboratory experiments Experimental simulations operations Judgment tasks Field experiments Field studies Surveys B C Unobtrusive Formal theory Computer simulations research operations Universal Particular behavioral behavioral systems systems

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

2.3 Conducting a research Project organization and management, Measurement, Data collection.

2.4 Professional communicating * IMRAD Introduction Methods Results Discussion

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?

SSCI, “Transportation” 領域之期刊 Abbreviated Journal Title Rank Abbreviated Journal Title Impact Factor 1 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

SSCI, “Transportation” 領域之期刊(續) Abbreviated Journal Title 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

SCI, “Transportation Science & Technology” Abbreviated Journal Title 領域之期刊 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 (Accessed at 2007.05.28)

SCI, “Transportation Science & Technology” Abbreviated Journal Title 領域之期刊(續) 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 (Accessed at 2007.05.28)

Try Conferences and Minor Journals 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

3. Good Thesis (Dissertation) You really want to be an expert in this area, 3 essays. Possible continuation. STAR Prepare: Project funding, Teaching, Lab management, Peer review…… * “Recent doctoral dissertations”, Transportation Research, Part A. 

Choices: 取捨 1. Basic: intellectual curiosity, mechanism (why) Applied: with a practical problem to solve *Basic questions within applying problems, e.g., cancer: disease + development 2. Can do: collect info 1st, think later, expect solution to be obvious, busy work, comfort zone *Should do: ask the critical (right) question (greater impact), what is the best approach to answer the question? Consider alternatives, how to follow up (extend the story)  

Choices: 游移 3. Focus, continuous, 枯守一井 *Diversify, explore new methods/ questions, 善於游移 4. Problem oriented: By design, unsolved significant problem *By chance, unexpected results, potential significance 5. Mainstream: main questions and approaches are well known, many competitions, compete by efficiency *Unbeaten path: fight to gain acceptance, may open up new territory and become leader, fun, exciting, take risk  

Choices: 有學習能力，能應變 6. Search, 深，key words, 只會找到你要找的，被框住 Browse, 廣，翻雜書，多觀察，跨領域合作，跨出框框 *Breakthrough often comes from introducing new concepts or technology from different fields. 7. Fate choice, select among limited options, Change of fate *Asked feedback, interactive process: Positive feedback, amplify preference, block other pathways.  

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. Don’t be too ambitious.

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 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 ～柳永 眾裡尋他千百度，驀然迴首 ，那人卻在燈火欄珊處 ～辛棄疾 (流水落花春去也，天上人間 ～李煜)

Reference 1. 《撰寫博碩士論文實戰手冊》 http://www.books.com.tw/products/0010107100 2. Graduate School Survival Guide http://smi.stanford.edu/people/pratt/smi/advice.html 3. How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students and Advisors http://www.csee.umbc.edu/~mariedj/papers/advice.pdf 4. 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 6. Sun, Y. H., My research career: Dilemmas and choices, 2015    

Reading Guidelines 1. Understand the key theme 2.  Articulate author’s conceptual framework - Typology - Underlying rationale and assumptions 3.  Identify strengths and weakness - New insights - Conflicts (internal and external) - Contributions - Other comments 4.  Develop your own framework 

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.

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?

Q & A wljen@mail.nctu.edu.tw http://140.113.119.160