1. Research Methods
Dr. X

2. Outline How to read a publication
How to formulate an idea for your project
Project guidelines

3. Reading papers Why do we read papers in this class?
How do you read papers?

4. How to read a paper Start by quick browsing:
Abstract
Titles of all sections
Conclusions
If it is relevant to your project read the whole paper (more details to follow)
If it is part of your reading definitely read it!

5. How to read a paper Goals: Be able to reproduce the results
Criticize the solutions
Mine ideas from the paper for your own research
Improve upon the ideas

6. Reading a paper Related work: Develops your expertise in the field
Some references may be useful to read

7. Reading a paper
What scientific devices are the authors using to communicate their point?
Methodology - this is how they evaluate their solution.
Theoretical papers typically validate a model using mathematical arguments (e.g., proofs)
Experimental papers evaluate results based on test apparatus (e.g., measurements, data mining, synthetic workload simulation, trace-based simulation).
Empirical research evaluates by measurement.
Some papers have no evaluation at all, but argue the merits of the solution in prose (e.g., design papers)

8. Reading a paper Results Prove the validity of the method/claims
Read critically, there may be mistakes
Observe the graphs, x, y axis, the setup of experiments

9. Reading a paper Takeaways Inspiration
A lesson or fact that you take away from this paper
Inspiration
Can you build on the solution proposed? Can you make it better?
What ideas does the paper give you for your research?

10. Summarize an article Motivation Contribution Related work Methodology
Results
Take away

11. Reading a systems security paper
What is the security model?
Who are the participants and adversaries
What are the assumptions of trust (trust model)
What are the relevant risks/threats
What are the constraints?
What are the practical limitations of the environment
To what degree are the participants available
What is the solution?
How are the threats reasonably addressed
How do they evaluate the solution
What is the take away?
key idea/design, e.g., generalization (not solely engineering)
Hint: I will ask these questions when evaluating course project.

12. Project
The course project requires the student execute some limited research in security.
Demonstrate applied knowledge
Don’t try to learn some new non-security field
Be realistic about what can be accomplished in a single semester.
However, the work should reflect real thought and effort.
The grade will be based on the following factors: novelty, depth, correctness, clarity of presentation, and effort.

13. Timeline Before Feb 1 Upload project presentation proposal to Oaks
Pick your project partner(s)
Project need to be done in teams of at least two, unless we discuss otherwise

14. Idea formulation Read related work in the area of your choice
Well cited publications or robust blogs/white papers from companies that are known in the field
Then ask the the following questions (write down answers)
What are the problems that this area addresses?
What are the methodological tools that people bring to bear in addressing problems in this area?
How is the field evolving?
How do your set of skills apply to the problems being addressed?
How are expected changes in the larger computer science community going to affect the known problems and solutions?

15. Idea formulation methods
Listing: in 5 minutes make a quick list of 1-5 word phrases that would be used by/related to/observance of the field and problems and solutions
This is not an outline, there is no ordering to the list
Use your imagination
Creativity is the essence of this exercise (don’t overthink)
Brainstream: Brainstream is when the mind has various multiple thoughts that begin to find connections within each, therefore each thought is in conjunction with the other and instead of just separated thoughts, they all began to flow together creating a "stream"

16. Mind Mapping

17. Project proposal presentation
May include your thought process for the idea
Title, team members, team name (optional)
Motivation: why is what you are doing important
Related work: you need to search thoroughly and make sure that something similar or same method/tool has not been created by other researchers.
What you are proposing: Description of the system or network protocol that you re planning to analyze or implement, or the tool that you intend to build or extend. Description of security properties you intend to investigate. Tools and/or analysis techniques you are planning to use. Clear description of project deliverables. Possible deliverables are a software prototype, a substantial case study, or, in the case of a purely theoretical study, proofs (manual or machine- assisted).

18. Good luck!
Questions?