Doing Better Research

I have been slacking off a lot recently. I think it is time for a little retrospection.

1. Listening to presentations: This is something I am very bad at. Usually most presentations are not in my exact area and the presenters are not always very good ones. They always begin well by giving a broader picture and the motivation for their work. This part usually interests me. But soon I start getting lost into the mathematics and eventually loose interest. Trying to take in information like a sink is neither interesting nor recommended.
• The mathematics part usually involves description of some tools or techniques the author has employed. Since my work also involves use of such tools, it is a good idea to try to make a note of these.
  
• To benefit fully from a seminar/presentation, I think it is necessary to know atleast the basics of that area. Thus it might be a good idea to do a google search on that topic before hand, and spend about 15 minutes reading the basics to get started, before the presentation.
• Whenever there is a waning of interest because of too much mathematical details, it might be a good idea to stop listening to the presenter and go up one level. Remind oneself of the point the presenter is trying to make by doing this proof. Try to think beyond the presenter (what he might have done in his later slides, what should be the natural extension of the work and what could be some practical issues with the presenters implementation ?)
2. Reading papers: Depends upon if the paper is in my area or not.
   
• If it is, I must spend atleast half an hour contemplating what the author could have done after just reading the abstract. Since I have been doing research in that area, understanding what the author is proposing simply after reading the abstract may not be that difficult. Of course, later that paper has to be read in detail and possible extensions should be thought of.
  
• If, on the other hand it is something that I have to learn, it might be a good idea to read the abstract, introduction and conclusion. Write down what is being proposed and what could be the possible extensions. Then move to the system model. A research journal entry should follow.
  
• If it is something I am just using as a look-up for use in my research, glossing over it should be fine. But do not look up unless you are absolutely sure you can not solve the problem by yourself. Simply Googling whenever in doubt is NOT recommended.
  
3. Attending classes: This of course have many caveats.
• Mathematical details cause loss of interest: Follow the same strategy as presentaions; try to think of possible implications and applications of the course material in your research.
• Mathematical details are too trivial: try to find shortcuts. Correlate with other non-trivial parts.
  
• Class is a bouncer: try asking more general questions (such as the intuition behind the results). Create analogies and ask if they make sense. Do not let the instructor think that you are able to understand.
• Class itself is quite trivial: fall asleep and make sure to snore as loudly as possible.
  
4. Keeping up the motivation: try reviewing what has been achieved in the last week. Compare it to a more productive week you have had in the past.