Goal:
The aim of this project is for you to learn about and practice experimental research in computer science. For this assignment, the goal is for you to propose a concrete experimental question and strategy for tackling it.Presentation:
In next week's class (4/21), everyone will give a short presentation on their class project. After each presentation, there will be time for questions and class discussion. Our hope is that this feedback will be helpful to you in giving you experimental ideas and making experimental design decisions.
Presentations should be 6-8 minutes in length. You may wish to include:
- a brief introduction to who you are and your research
- any necessary background in your topic area
- what you'd like to learn from your experiment
- how you propose to conduct the experiment
- a discussion of experimental setup
The experimental question can be on your research, other research in your field, or research in an entirely different area. Pick something you're very interested in. We encourage you to step back and think about what experiments people do and don't run in this area. Is there an open hard question which a well designed experiment could answer? Can you draw on any of the experimental paradigms you've learned in the class? (You don't need to, but it may be helpful in some cases.)
To facilitate discussion, please give your presentation without slides. Each presentation slot will be 12 minutes; plan on 6 minutes of presentation followed by 6 minutes of discussion.
Writeup:
By the Friday after class (4/23), send us an email describing your project. The text should have the following four sections, and need not be more than a single page of text: clarity is better than completeness at this point.
- Question
- Hypotheses
- Experimental conditions
- Measures and analysis
While you should have this information ready for class, as part of your presentation, it the submitted version should include changes gained through in-class discussion.)
Logistics:
Auditors: you are encouraged to participate! Please email the TA (kbreeden[at]cs.stanford.edu) to let us know if you're planning on making a presentation.If for any reason you won't be in class on the 21st, please contact the staff list at cs303[at]cs.stanford.edu before the 21st so that we can make alternate arrangements.
