Hints

There are lots of advice which an experienced researcher can leave or hide from beginners. Learning things only by accident is time consuming and frustrating although it might be the best way to learn the subject. But isn't it the question about inventing a wheel again?

Our research consists of several projects with many partners. Let us now consider a project with an (industrial) partner X. What is characteristic of a good project with X? What do we need to think about before launching a project with X?

Goals. What does X want? Can we do it? A sensible outlining.
Availability of material. The data and other required knowledge has to be available immediately when the work is started.
Background support. When needed, X should guarantee support by application specialist. In an ideal case, an application area research institute participates the project.
Commitment. Both the group and X are responsible for progress of the project. The project must have a schedule or plan. Regular project meetings are the best way to make sure the plan is fulfilled.

Ok, let us now assume that we decided to launch a project with X. But what should we do next? In the following, there is a rough sketch of stages of a project.

Become familiar with the problem and application area.
Are there earlier studies on the subject? What are the existing methods for solving the problem? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
What new needs/can be done? Which of the existing methods are applicapable?
Test existing methods and develop and test new ones. Evaluate.
Report the results and apply them in practise.

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Jukka Parviainen

Last modified: Wed Sep 2 14:07:01 EEST 1998