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: [email protected]
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
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