Research Paper

NOTE: Strive for the first but be aware that the "actual method" of research happens more often than not (probably too often).

• Paper template

Here are the elements of a research paper and samples.

• Problem Area paragraph - (Due June 8) - Introduces the reader to the space/scope of the problem you intend to address with your investigation and subsequent design, i.e. lack of computer interfaces for the visually impaired. Why are you doing this research? Why should the reader care?

• Research Question - (Due June 12) - This is the specific matter you are trying to address with your project formulated in question form, i.e. Is X graphic interface transferrable to an audio solution for the visually impaired? Needs to be specific and guides your inquiry which may be formulated as a research question or hypothesis. Don't overpromise! It's easy to say something far too broad like, "Will robotic haptics improve human-robot interaction?" That would take years to answer. Along with the question, you might define your terms briefly. If you say, "Improve" what does that mean? Time? Stress levels? Energy costs? You should have the higher level (overpromised) question in mind, but your paper should be addressing the specific question answerable through your study.

• Lit Review paragraphs - (Due June 12) - This is the part when you look at what has been done before in the topic. It allows you to avoid errors and not repeat solutions that have already been tried. Journal papers and conference proceedings are the most up to date in interface design (ACM, SIGCHI, CHI). You're telling the reader a story, so, you should not simply list the literature saying X did Y and such, you should discuss (briefly) the merit of the contribution and how that applies to your work. Lit reviews should not read like laundry lists. The literature review should say who did what and how it relates to the field/problem area as well as its relation to your own work. If you need help in understanding this look at some of the background sections of papers you are reading and how they present the literature.

• Methods paragraphs - (Due June 26) - How do you plan to accomplish your goal? Explain in detail so that if any other researcher wants to repeat your processes, he/she will get at the same results.

• Initial Results paragraphs - (Due July 10) - Explain in detail the results of your design, experiment, usability study. Elaborate on your contributions to the literature (previous studies) and the limitations of your study/design.
• ProblemAreaAndQuestionExample.pdf: Paper with the Problem Area & Research Question marked