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Knowledge base

2009, December 11 - 22:15 — PatParslow

 Subject Knowledge

1 Has core knowledge of key concepts, issues and history of thought.

Knows of recent advances within own field and in related areas. (A3)

Working towards making an original contribution to knowledge.

I believe this is the case.  

Certainly some colleagues use me as a point of reference, and I regularly check for new published work in the fields related to my areas of research.  I also do my best to attend conferences in relevant areas, and communicate with leaders in the field through various modes of communication.

2 Has a detailed understanding of own and related fields – sometimes beyond discipline.  

I have a strong, detailed understanding of computer science (although there are some specialist areas which I have less interest in), and also a fairly detailed understanding of pedagogical, social, psychological and even philosophical areas where they are appropriate to my research.

3 Has thorough knowledge of discipline and is familiar with adjacent disciplines

 I know a lot of computer science theory and concepts very well.  There are some areas (as noted above) which are not very relevant to me.  I have a reasonable knowledge of adjacent disciplines such as electronics and mathematics, as well as a good knowledge of various 'softer' areas which relate to my research.

4 Makes links between similar fields and other disparate areas to enrich own discipline.

Contributes to the stewardship of the discipline and the sharing of subject knowledge

I draw links between similar systems where I encounter them, such as links between social networks and the mind; evolution and emergence; negotiation of meaning and learning; cell biology and agent based computing etc.

I seek to disseminate ideas and findings widely, and to engage people of all levels of experience and expertise in analysing and reviewing my contributions.

5 Takes multi-perspectives.

Understands wholeness of discipline and its inter-relatedness with other disciplines. 

 I have a holistic view of systems in general, and see metaphors of systems across domain boundaries.  I understand the applications of computer science to other areas, as well as the application of computer technology to resolving problems in other domains, as well as using other domains to provide insights into problems in the computer science area.

 Research methods (knowledge)

1 Understands relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within own research field. (A4)

Justifies the principles and experimental techniques used in one’s own research. (B6)

 I use a variety of research methods as appropriate for the research at hand.  These include qualitative and quantitative methods, survey and interview techniques and both analytic and synthetic methods to explore the domains I am engaged in researching
2 Appreciates the value of a range of methods/techniques for data collection and analysis; assesses and demonstrates usefulness and validity in the context of a specific problem Quantitative methods are well suited to determining the suitability of computer systems in terms of their performance and reliability.  Qualitative methods are applicable to design and analysis where there are usability and other human issues involved.  
3 Combines and justifies methods/techniques in a flexible and rigorous manner designed specifically for the research investigation I generally design research around a range of methods in order to gain the greatest value from the opportunity afforded by the research grant.  For instance, one recent project used Grounded Theory and Thematic analysis alongside a mix of open and semi-structured interviews, surveys, and narrative analysis to develop theory and gather case studies in order to design and test training materials relating to Digital Identity.
4,5 Recognises the value of other research paradigms and is able to work in an interdisciplinary way I borrow methods from sociology and psychology, as well as checking back to make sure I have not forgotten the benefits of methods more typically used within the computer science domain.  I see value in, and use, a range of both holistic and reductionist methods in order to form hypotheses and test them, and in order to be able to work with people from other fields of research.

Research Methods (practice)

1 Skillfully uses a range of research methods linked to study area I think my use of various methods is sufficiently skilled to meet this competency requirement.  I gather and analyse data in our research projects.
2 Designs and implements research using methods and tools appropriate to the task I typically design research projects using a range of methods and tools, to provide the best data gathering and analysis, and to build in cross-checking between different techniques.
3 Trains others in the appropriate selection and use of research design, data collection and analysis methods and techniques I delivered training in Research methods to MSc students, and I provide informal mentoring to both finalist undergraduates and new PhD students.  I advise our group on suitable methods, and have previously been asked to give seminars on methods in a research group I was studying with.
4,5 Creates new research design, data collection and analysis techniques I design new methods where I think they are appropriate and necessary to get at the data we need for our research.  This can involve just creating new ways of surveying, and of interpreting the results, as well as working on, for instance, new frameworks derived on existing theories such as Activity Theory.

Literacy

1 Prepares written and oral text in grammatically and syntactically correct formats.

Writes clearly and in a style appropriate to purpose. (E1)

 I write for my audience, which means on occasion grammar and syntax may not be formally correct.  However, I am conversant with correct syntax and grammar, and apart from the occasional slip, my written output is clear, and suited to a range of audiences.
2 Develops own style of presenting written and oral texts I definitely prefer to write in my own style, but this is generally not considered to be a good thing by reviewers...
3,4,5 Readily produces text in elegant form I would argue this is true.  There are some cases where people comment that my writing is convoluted or not sufficiently concise.  Curing the first 'problem' typically adds to the second, as clarity of complex concepts in short sentences tends to require a surfeit of extra text.

Numeracy

1 Mathematically competent to undertake research in own field; understands and applies any statistics that may be used in the field; analyses data and uses appropriate computer packages. Generally, yes.  I often have to revise my knowledge of statistics to make sure that I am applying the correct methods for interpreting data.  However, that is something which many authors of papers appear not to bother doing, preferring instead to use a range of 'default' tools to produce metrics which are not necessarily suited to the task at hand.
2 Understands any analytical or statistical procedures in related fields and continues to develop mathematical ability I have an understanding of the analytical methods used in psychology, sociology and neuroscience, although I could not claim to be able to necessarily utilise the techniques without reference to texts on the subjects.
3,4,5 Keeps mathematical skills up to date I am not convinced that this should be the highest level here.  Yes, I practice various mathematical skills whilst commuting, during pauses in conversation, and generally when my mind is not actively engaged in trying to work other things out.  I actively seek new and interesting ways of deriving meaning from figures.

Languages

1 Has excellent knowledge of language(s) appropriate for research I only really need English for the vast majority of my research, so whilst the answer to this is 'Yes', that could be seen as cheating slightly.  Where I need to understand other colleagues, I use appropriate tools to help provide translations.
2 Learns language(s) appropriate for research and career development. Ditto
3,4,5 Becomes fluent in relevant language(s) Not relevant, to date.  I use assistive technology.

Information Seeking

 

1 Identifies and accesses appropriate bibliographical resources, archives, and other sources of relevant information (C3) including web based resources
 I believe so.  The majority of appropriate sources in my field are web based, and include blogs and other informal communications due to the changing nature of the information landscape.  I also use more traditional sources where appropriate.
2 Conducts advanced and complex searches, using sophisticated bibliographic software and techniques, recognising their advantages and limitations.*

Recognises the importance of bibliometrics and citations

 Define 'advanced and complex searches'.  I suspect I fulfil these requirements, although I would argue that by and large the 'importance of bibliometrics' is over-stated and based on flawed models of human, and academic, behaviour.  Citations are certainly important.
3,4,5 Uses a range of specialist library and on-line resources.

Manages bibliometrics and citations to best advantage.

Trains others in information seeking techniques

 I definitely use a range of specialist library and online resources, although as noted above, most of the resources I need are available online.  I do train others in information seeking techniques (e.g. when teaching MSc students) but not as often now as I used to.  I am not convinced I manage bibliometrics and citations to best advantage (and am not convinced that this is necessarily an ethical practice).

Information management

Designs and executes systems for the acquisition and collation of information using information technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, simulation systems, databases) appropriately. (C2, C4)

Knows where to obtain expert advice – i.e. data managers and librarians.

Yes.  For example the creation of software for gathering field data for land drainage surveys and the requisite methods of analysing that data, relating it to existing structural survey data of bridges and storing it in databases to enable search and extraction, as well as supporting flood modelling, resulting in a 300% increase in productivity.  Not precisely research related, in that instance, but demonstrating the same skills.
Develops a sustained awareness of the creation, organisation, validation, sharing and curation of data.

Has knowledge of purpose of metadata.

  Strongly advocate addition of biographical information in metadata to enable readers to evaluate potential researcher biases based on cultural differences.  Keenly aware of need to store data in accessible ways, and to make sure that it remains available and is shared as widely as possible.
Advises and trains peers, junior researchers, students and staff in discipline specific information management techniques  Yes, although less so recently.  Advise on these and on matters relating to IPR, copyright and data protection, as well as advocating storing raw data as well as processed data.
Develops new techniques for information management  Designed and implemented a relational database program providing multi-user access to information based on plain text files in orderto maximise re-usability of data and provide a robust and maintainable system.  Designed and implemented a synonymy server to provide better search coverage of databases. Principal architect, with Karsten Lundqvist, of the Folksonomical File System behind the MeAggregator project, providing the central backbone for a distributed data system accessible through tag based queries.

 

All in all, I think I score quite highly on the Knowledge base domain.  A weak area would be Languages, but that is chiefly because it has not been necessary to learn other languages for my work.  Apart from that, I think I am at level 4 or 5 in almost all the specific areas.