My research philosophy revolves around the conviction that while I cannot know everything, the possibility of knowing something useful makes doing research worthwhile. Therefore, while there is a gamut of important research fields, I believe that focusing on a few and being an expert therein would make me a useful researcher. To this end, I have dedicated myself to answering the following general research questions: 1) how can we improve our understanding of hydrology?, 2) how can we improve our methods of flood inundation mapping and risk assessment?, and 3) how can we leverage existing technologies for hydraulic and hydrologic modeling?
In the conduct of scholarly
activities, I am guided with the following core beliefs:
First, research
should be done with integrity. In
my research experience, I find that realistic results can sometimes result in
mistakes. These mistakes render the result invalid, and though tedious, it is
important to put effort in redoing simulations and correcting mistakes.
Moreover, correct simulations can sometimes result in unrealistic results. When
the tension of producing significant findings is high, the researcher should always
choose integrity.
Second, research
always involves critical thinking
because not all problems are answerable by a simple internet search. One learns
to think critically when his or her ideas are subjected to objections;
therefore, it is important for the researcher to have his findings submitted
for publication in a reputable journal, where the peer-review process tends to
elicit the harshest objections.
Third, research
is a collaborative effort.
Because one person doesn’t know everything, teaming up with other professionals
and researchers will make the research more holistic. Moreover, research is
intended to be communicated, and some of the best ways of publicizing research
efforts is through publication in journal articles and presentations at
conferences and workshops.
Fourth, research
is a progressive undertaking.
Novelty is a key component of a good research and can come in a variety of ways
such as in developing better methodologies, in investigating different
applications for existing methods, or in challenging theories that are widely
accepted but may have some limitations. Novelty can be achieved by reading past
research articles to avoid “reinventing the wheel”, and by thinking critically
on what can be improved. Furthermore, every published literature should not be
deemed as a final work but rather a springboard to further research.
Fifth, a research
paper should have the following elements: 1) an introduction discussing the significance of the research
topic, 2) a review of literature that shows the gaps in knowledge and how the
paper aims to address those gaps, 3) a description of the methodology such that
the results can be replicated, 4) a presentation of results that presents,
explains, and discusses the real-world implication of the findings, and 5) a
summary of the study as well as a listing of important conclusions from the
study.
Finally, the main
significance of a research work is not in its publication but in its
implementation. A
published article may garner many citations but those that really matter are
the ones being implemented in the real world. This belief would propel me to
reaching out to the industrial sectors and governmental agencies.
