Research Guide

Conducting research can be a complex process that requires various tools to optimize efficiency and enhance the overall quality of scholarly work, while safeguarding your limited and valuable time. Below is a list of tools and tips derived from my experiential insights acquired during my doctoral training.

Principle

When selecting a tool from a range of options, choose one that offers multiple functionalities. Such tools allow us to learn once while being able to use them for a variety of tasks.

AMAS framework

Research revolves around the pursuit of knowledge and involves various activities, from gathering information to making original contributions. Each of these tasks must be completed within specified time constraints, which makes prompt execution essential. To maximize efficiency, it is crucial to leverage technology effectively. The AMAS framework (Acquiring, Managing, Authoring, and Sharing) provides a straightforward approach to streamline your research workflow and enhance productivity.

Acquiring knowledge

Data sources

• Bibliographic database

  • Web of science: It is a primary source of data for conducting bibliometric analysis from Clarivate. It requires a subscription to access it.
  • Scopus: Research article database from Elsevier. It requires a subscription to access it.

• Bibliographic software

  • VOSviewer: Basic network analyais and visualization
  • Gephi: Advanced network analyais and visualization
  • Bibliometrix: R package

• Machine learning

  • Google Dataset Search: General dataset search engine with various useful metadata of dataset.
  • Kaggle Datasets: Various dataset for validating the performance of machine learning algorithms.
  • Federal Reserve Economic Data: Economic dataset
  • Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer: Cancer drugs,cell lines, and drug response data. Useful for medical machine learning research.

Managing knowledge

Reference management

• Zotero: Zotero is an essential tool to manage references while preparing research manuscripts. It is a particularly helpful tool for organizing knowledge. I successfully managed over 2,000 references easily while working on my manuscripts and doctoral dissertation. Zotero can handle various types of data, including academic papers, websites, and even YouTube video URLs, allowing you to organize all related information in one place. It functions as a virtual folder that keeps different data items together. If you are already familiar with EndNote, learning how to use Zotero will be a piece of cake. For tutorials, simply search for zotero site:.edu on Google.

Authoring knowledge

Writing R/Python codes

• MS Visual Studio Code: It allows us to author documents, Python, and R source code in a single editing environment. Of course, this website was authored with MS Visual Studio Code.

Authoring high-quality vector graphics

• Inkscape: This tool can manipulate vector graphics using a simple user interface to generate high-quality graphic arts for an academic manuscript. Almost all academic journals require an author to submit figures in vector graphic format to maintain the quality of pictures in the paper.

Sharing knowledge

Research articles

• Conference: Submit your preliminary results to the conference for peer review by other researchers.
  • Conference search engine: NSTC國科會活動訊息, Elsevier Conference, WikiCFP, Conal Conference Alerts.
  • Recommended conferences
    • PICMET(Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology)
    • R&D management conference
    • ISPIM(International Society for Professional Innovation Management)
    • CSMOT(Chinese Society for Management Of Technology)
    • ASIALICS(Asian Network for Learning, Innovation, and Co-evolution)
    • ICMSDM(International Conference in Management Sciences and Decision Making)
    • ICIM(International Conference on Information Management)
    • Tenet & NCS(National Computer Symposium)
    • MCAC(Management Concept and Application Conference)
    • …
• Journal: Submit research findings to an academic journal for publication.
  • Journal search engine: Journal Citation Reports.
  • Recommended journals
    • Research Policy
    • R&D Management
    • Strategic Management Journal
    • Academy of Management Journal
    • IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
    • Technological Forecasting and Social Change
    • Technovation
    • International Journal of Information Management
    • Journal of Management Information Systems
    • Decision Support Systems
    • Journal of Informetrics
    • Computers in Human Behavior
    • Decision Sciences
    • Journal of Product Innovation Management
    • …

Reusable R/Python codes

• Github: It is not only for source code, but also for sharing text information using GitHub Pages feature. This website is also created using GitHub Pages. In other words, it is a free website platform.

Dissemination

• Message must be delivered! The oral presentation is the key skill to deliver your idea to the people who need it. Here is a great example of how to touch people’s hearts without touching them physically. Sinek, S. (2014, March). Simon Sinek: Why good leaders make you feel safe | TED Talk. TED.