RMI Module2_Literature Survey and technical reading PPT

Module 2 By,
Manjula K, Assistant Professor,
Dept. of ECE, SJCIT

Agenda
Effective Search: The way Forward
Introduction to Technical Reading
Conceptualizing Research
Critical and Creative Reading
Taking Notes While Reading
Reading Mathematics and Algorithms
Reading a Datasheet
Manjula K, Assistant Professor, Dept. of ECE, SJCIT 2

The Way Forward
PRESENTATION TITLE 3
1.Scholarly Publications:
▪ Authored by experts in a specific field.
▪ Cites all sources and undergoes peer review.
▪ Intended for fellow experts and students.
▪ Content is more advanced than in general magazines.
2.Popular Publications:
▪ Informal, aimed at a broader audience.
▪ Includes news and trends in the field.
▪ Not the primary source for research outcomes.

3. Search Strategies:
• Use all available search tools for a comprehensive search.
• No single source has all needed information.
4. Considerations for Researchers:
• Determine the type and location of needed information.
• Not all information is online; some may be in print.
• Scholarly information may take time to be published.
Look for similar studies if information is unavailable.
• Conduct an iterative search process:
o Experiment with different keywords and operators.
o Evaluate results using filters.
o Modify the search as needed.
o Examine citations and references of relevant articles.

1.Post-Search Analysis:
➢ After completing the search, engage in
critical and thorough reading.
➢ Observe key points in the sources and
summarize findings.
2.Comparison and Contrast:
➢ Conduct a detailed comparison and
contrast of the findings.
➢ Repeat this process multiple times if
necessary.
After Search what is next???

3.Conclusion of Literature Survey:
▪ Summarize relevant work and identify important findings.
▪ Highlight missing links and challenges in open problems.
4.Continuous and Cyclical Process:
▪ Note that literature survey is ongoing and cyclical.
▪ Researchers may go back and forth throughout the
research project.

Is Survey is sufficient and one time search???
7
1.Skill Development in Research:
▪ Many graduate students may not start with efficient skills for parsing math-heavy
articles.
▪ Successful engineering researchers develop this skill by reading papers, seeking help, and
completing relevant coursework.
2.Purpose of Literature Survey:
▪ It's crucial not to lose sight of the purpose of an extensive literature survey.
▪ Spending significant time on it is only valuable if one actively reads and develops
personal ideas based on the research.
3.Continuous Learning:
▪ Literature survey isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process.
▪ As understanding deepens, new literature emerges, leading to new connections and
evolving problems.
4.Ph.D. Research Stage:
▪ Ph.D. scholars must write a synopsis, requiring an extensive literature survey.
▪ Archived journals and bibliographies are essential starting points, with one source
leading to another.

➢ For active researchers, staying updated with the latest
outcomes in their field is crucial.
➢ Navigating the fragmented landscape of archived knowledge
can be challenging, with relevant information scattered
across various sources.
➢ While numerous papers are available, identifying those
directly pertinent to one's research is essential.
➢ Relying on refereed journals and reputable publishers is
recommended over random web articles.

✓Reading an engineering research paper requires a
purposeful approach, distinct from reading a
newspaper.
✓Adopting an efficient strategy involves an initial
skimming to assess its worth for careful reading.
✓If the title, keywords, or abstract don't capture
interest, it's advisable to move on.
✓Skim the conclusions, figures, tables, and captions for
a quick overview.

✓If the paper remains intriguing, delve into the Introduction for
background and purpose.
✓The Results and Discussion sections are the heart of the
paper.
✓Additional sections, like Experimental Setup/Modeling, should
be explored based on specific interest.

Conceptualizing Research
Research Objective Characteristics:
✓ Centered around new knowledge.
✓ Must be accepted by the research community and recognized
as significant.
Conceptualizing Research:
✓ A good research problem is original, significant, and solvable.
✓ Requires consideration of methods and tools to obtain new
knowledge.
✓ Informed by existing literature and knowledge in the field.

Challenges in Conceptualizing Research:
✓ Tough to achieve a research objective that meets all criteria.
✓ Requires expertise at the edge of knowledge.
✓ Ph.D. level researchers need to become experts by immersing themselves
in the literature.
Scope Differences:
✓ For smaller projects like a master’s thesis, conceptualizing research may
be challenging.
✓ Assistance from a supervisor, an established expert, is beneficial for more
focused projects.
Objective of Research:
✓ Research aims to create new knowledge.
✓ Building something new isn’t enough; it must contribute novel insights.
✓ Risks rejection if the work could be conceived by any experienced
engineer.

1.Approach to Reading Research Papers:
▪ Don't assume reported results are correct; be suspicious
and ask questions.
▪ Question if the authors tackled the right problem and
consider alternative solutions.
▪ Identify limitations, both stated and ignored, and look for
missing links.
▪ Evaluate the reasonableness of assumptions and assess
the logical flow of the paper.
2.Judgmental Approach:
▪ Use a judgmental approach with boldness.
▪ Be flexible to discard previous judgments if needed.

3.Evaluation of Data:
▪ Check if the presented data supports the paper's argument.
▪ Assess whether the data was gathered and interpreted correctly.
▪ Consider if another dataset could have been more compelling.
4.Critical vs. Creative Reading:
▪ Critical reading is relatively easier; finding mistakes is simpler than
uncovering good ideas.
▪ Creative reading is harder and requires a positive approach.
▪ Actively look for other applications, interesting generalizations, or
missed opportunities in creative reading.
▪ Consider plausible modifications that may present practical
challenges.
▪ Determine if the work sparks interest in researching an extended
part and identify the immediate next aspect to focus on.

Taking Notes While Reading
1.Importance of Reading Skills for Writing:
➢ Good writing depends on strong reading skills.
➢ Taking notes during and after reading bridges the gap between reading
and writing.
➢ The saying "the faintest writing is better than the best memory" is
particularly relevant for researchers.
2.Note-Taking Practices:
➢ Researchers often take notes on paper margins or digitally using article
aggregator tools.
➢ Important items like definitions, explanations, and concepts should be
highlighted.
➢ Record questions or criticisms for future reference to avoid forgetting
important points.

3. Benefits of Thorough Reading:
• After thorough reading, a good technical reading ends with a brief
summary of the paper's contributions.
• To assess technical merit, compare the paper with existing works in
the same area.
• Determine if the paper introduces new ideas, implements existing
ideas in experiments or new applications, or consolidates different
ideas under a novel framework.
4.Understanding Contribution through Comparative Reading:
• Reading other papers in the area helps better understand the type
of contribution a paper is making.
• Evaluate if the paper presents new ideas, implements existing ideas
in novel ways, or integrates different existing ideas under a unique
framework.

Reading Mathematics and Algorithms
1.Mathematics in Engineering Research:
➢ Mathematics forms the foundation of advancements in engineering research.
➢ Mathematical derivations or proofs are integral to technical papers.
2.Importance of Meticulous Reading:
➢ A researcher cannot avoid mathematical proofs; they are crucial to understanding
the problem being solved.
➢ Meticulously read proofs or algorithms to gain a solid understanding after identifying
the paper's relevance.
3.Skimming Technical Sections:
➢ Skim a technical section if it explains something known, is too advanced, or seems
too specialized for immediate understanding.
➢ If needed later, revisit the section for more in-depth study.
4.Implementation of Algorithms:
➢ Implementing complex algorithms in programming languages like C, C++, or Java is
error-prone.
➢ Even if confident, coding quickly to check functionality is a good practice.
➢ There's a fair chance an algorithm that seems correct in theory may not work as
expected.

Reading a Datasheet
1.Reading Documents in Engineering Fields:
▪ Engineers in various fields have specific documents to read.
▪ Mechanical and civil engineers read drawings, while electronics
researchers focus on datasheets.
2.Importance of Datasheets:
▪ Datasheets are like instruction manuals for electronic components,
explaining their function and usage.
▪ They enable researchers to design circuits and troubleshoot.

Reading a Datasheet
4. Key Information in Datasheets:
▪ The first page summarizes the component's function, features, and
specifications.
▪ Pinout diagrams help correctly plug the part into the circuit.
▪ Graphs show performance versus criteria like supply voltage and
temperature.
▪ Truth tables describe input-output relationships, and timing diagrams
show data transfer speed.
▪ Datasheets end with accurate package dimensions for PCB layout.
5. Recommendation for Researchers:
▪ When working with a new part, carefully read its datasheet to potentially
save time later.
▪ Highlighting the need to pay attention to reading various documents
beyond technical papers or books.

Summary
In summary, literature review and technical reading in
engineering research serve as the foundation for informed,
innovative, and rigorous scientific inquiry, contributing to the
advancement of knowledge within the field

3-2-1 Countdown
21
This is a true test of relevant and meaningful learning. When
students learn something they find useful, they're likely to want to
use that learning in some way. Have students end the day with this
one.

3-2-1 Countdown
22
This is a true test of relevant and meaningful
learning. When students learn something they find useful,
they're likely to want to use that learning in some way. Have
students end the day with this one.
Process
Give them cards to write on, or they can respond orally.
Required to respond to three separate statements:
▪ 3 things you didn't know before
▪ 2 things that surprised you about this topic
▪ 1 thing you want to start doing with what you've learned

RMI Module2_Literature Survey and technical reading PPT

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