Strategies to be an Effective Researcher

Jay F. Nunamaker Jr.Regents and Soldwedel Professor of

MIS, Communications, and Computer Science

Director, Center for Management of Information

Eller Graduate School of ManagementUniversity of Arizona

Tucson, AZ 85721

E-mail: JNUNAMAKER@CMI.ARIZONA.EDU

High Visibility, High Impact

• Rewarded for making things happen

• Solves real problems with practitioners

• Provides useful advice for practitioners

• Builds useful theories and lessons learned from practical experience

Design Science

Research Roadmap Through the Last Mile

1. Proof-of-concept prototype

2. Proof-of-value prototype

3. Proof of self-sustaining use

Real Real ProblemProblem

1.1.POCPOC

2.2.POVPOV

3.3.POUPOU

Explain the Concept from Multiple Perspectives

Have presentations from

The 50,000-foot level …

… ground-level

… to…

Critical Skill for Academic Success

• You are ALWAYS selling to:

– College Dean

– Department Head

– Journal Editors

– Colleagues

– Students

– NSF

– Military

– Corporations

– Et cetera

Sell YourOverall Concept

But address the problem by solving ONE piece at a time

Make It Easy for EVERYONE to Understand Your Area of Expertise• How:

– Develop an easy-to-understand explanation of your research (something to carry away)

• For example:

– “I do deception detection.”DeceptionDeceptionDetectionDetection

Demos and Real Sessions

• Convince sponsors your research is real

• It exists and can be used

• Use realistic, nontrivial examples

• It’s not “vapor” or “hype”

Dr. Jay’s 13 Principles For Success

#13 The Modularity Principle

See the Grand VisionSolve One Small Piece

At A Time

SolutionSolution

The Problem

Partial Partial

#12 The “Collaboration” Principle

To improve your chances of funding, you need different perspectives from multiple disciplines and universities

Share Your Resources With Others

#11 The Leverage Principle

Obtain multiple sponsorsto share expenses.

ToughTough

ProblemProblem

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The The Roughest DemoRoughest Demo is more is moreconvincing convincing

than the best lecturethan the best lecture

Blah, Blah, Blah!

Yeah, Right!

Wow!

#10 The Credibility Principle#10 The Credibility Principle

ESTABLISHING CREDIBILITY

#9 The Publicity PrincipleThink big: Visibility translates into credibility.

(Fortune/Forbes/WSJ)

New York TimesFinalEdition

FiveCents

Stunning Success in MIS forArizona Researchers

Arizona ResearcherLooking very cool

Blah Blah Wacko oh oh Wacko Blah Blah Blah oh

OWacka Blah Blach oh oh WackaWacka Oh Blah blah blah wacka wacky blah blah blah Du blah wacky blaahhh Duh wacka foo oh duh wacky oh oh wacky duh blah blah duh oh wacky wacky duh ohbe kind to

Blah Blah Wacka oh oh Wacka Blah Blah Blah wacky blah blah blah Du blah wacky blaahhh Duh wacka foo oh duh wacky oh oh wacky duh blah blah duh oh wacky wacky duh oh

ohOWacka Blah Blach oh oh oh duh WackaWacka Oh Blah blah blah wacka

Blah Blah Wacka oh oh Wacka Blah Blah Blah ohOWacka Blah Blach oh oh oh duh WackaWacka

Oh Blah blah blah wacka wacky blah blah blah Du blah wacky blaahhh Duh wacka foo oh duh wacky oh oh wacky duh blah blah duh oh wacky wacky duh oh

All the news that’s fit to print

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Obtain well known sponsors Obtain well known sponsors

SponsorMe!

IBMIBM

ATTATT

INTELINTEL

NavyNavy

Air ForceAir Force

NSFNSF

DARPADARPA ArmyArmyFord FoundationFord Foundation

#8 The Visibility Principle#8 The Visibility Principle

#7 The One-Ahead PrincipleSell something that you

are 50% done with.

You will be perceived as an expert

Kitty Hawk

#6 The Assist PrincipleBefore you expect a sponsor’s support, offer your assistance to them

•Participate in review panels•Review research proposals•Offer expertise

#5 The Pain PrincipleFind their pain,

Relieve their pain

#4 The Champion Principle

Find a Champion to open doors.

ImprovedScreening

System

Build

Pyramids

#3 The Positive PrincipleNever ask a question that can be answered

“No.”How can I change

this proposal to better suit your needs?

#2 The Initiative PrincipleUntil you get the money, the ball is always in your court.

The sponsor will give you every chance to fail.

Stay on top of things to win.

#1 The Persistence Principle

Never Quit, Keep Trying, Keep Exploring,Overcome Obstacles.

There is No Finish Line.

#1 The Persistence Principle

The Pot of GoldMay be hidden just a few steps ahead.

FINISFINIS