USC Information Sciences Institute’s Post

To the esteemed members of the research community, The conventional wisdom in initiating and conducting impactful research underscores the significance of a thorough literature review to identify gaps. This seemingly straightforward approach raises an intriguing question: are we inadvertently limiting our creative thinking to the frameworks established by prior studies during this process? Consider the potential double-edged sword of an extensive literature survey. On one hand, it can furnish us with valuable insights and methodologies pertinent to our research query. Conversely, it risks inundating our thought processes with existing paradigms, potentially stifling groundbreaking innovation. During my master's program at IITG, a deep discussion led us to the concept of 'Perceptive Intelligence,' suggesting that our intellect often leans heavily on established perceptions or traditional notions. What if we dared to explore beyond this boundary? Imagine an experiment involving two individuals, A and B, equally equipped with mathematical and technical prowess—skills crucial for fostering critical and innovative thought. Suppose A undertakes an exhaustive literature review, while B focuses solely on enhancing relevant mathematical competencies, such as Nonlinear Dynamics and chaos. Presented with the same research question, A will likely propose solutions grounded in existing literature. B, however, stands a chance to venture into uncharted territory, offering solutions that are not just novel but radically innovative. So, what should we do? I guess we are responsible for experimenting with this ourselves to see how aligned vs non-aligned thinking can improve the science questions and their answers. Let me know what you think!

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the names of 255 outstanding research leaders in Europe set to be awarded ERC Advanced Grants. Four of these are based at Ghent University and 2 belong to Data Analysis and Statistical Science @UGent. Tijl De Bie and his team will investigate in the ERC-project Vigilia a novel strategy to address the so-called post-truth challenges. The ERC project from Stijn Vansteelandt and his team will develop an innovative paradigm for statistical modeling with the aim of increasing the quality of data analyses by enriching statistical modeling with machine learning techniques and recent insights from causal inference. More on https://lnkd.in/epgt-pDB

RCIS Conference Doctoral consortium paper submission has been extended to 💥💥💥 February 6, 2024 💥💥💥 The notification date remains unchanged. 💥 PhD students involved in #research #challenges in #information #science : do not miss this opportunity to discuss your PhD work in progress and to receive feedback from a panel of senior researchers serving as mentors during the Doctoral Consortium sessions. #datamanagement #informationmanagement #knowledge #conceptualmodeling #ontologies #security #risk #modeldrivenengineering #requirementsengineering #cyberphysicalsystems #industry40 #smartcities #ehealth #egovernment #ecommerce #digitalhumanities #web #grid #cloud #fog #edge #computing #internetofthings #pervasive #mobile #computing #socialcomputing #usercentereddesign #humanfactors #businessprocessmanagement #processmining #enterprisemodeling #enterprisearchitecture #digitaltransformation #decisioninformationsystems #datascience #machinelearning #designscience #designrationale #valuemanagement #misinformation #fakenews #responsibleresearch #impact Maribel Yasmina Santos Saïd Assar Jaelson Castro Joao Araujo Jose Luis de la Vara Pericles Loucopoulos Colette Rolland Jolita Ralyte Marko Bajec Oscar Pastor Jelena Zdravkovic Haris Mouratidis Xavier Franch Renata Guizzardi Ademar Aguiar Jose Borbinha Nelly Condori-Fernandez Maya Daneva Hugo Jonker Manuele Kirsch Pinheiro Beatriz Marín João Pascoal Faria Rabhi Fethi Rogier van de Wetering

Entering the playground for complexity - Santa Fe Institute This week, Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Ph.D., our Chief Creator, will be at Santa Fe Institute, one of the most unique research institutes for complexity science in the world. She will explore the essence of new models of interdisciplinary interaction, where fields of knowledge are merging, leading to the creation of hybrid sectors. No longer quantum industry can be regarded as separate from the music industry or the oil & gas industry as separate from the AI industry or the compute and ICT industry as separate from biology. This approach not only blurs the lines between traditionally separate sectors but also aligns with the foundation of complexity science championed by Santa Fe Institute, drawing on principles from physics, biology, economics, and computer science, and shedding light on phenomena such as: 🔹The development of organisms from a single cell to the dynamic growth of cities, mirroring biological processes, all without a central command. 🔹 Fractal geometry revealing the unpredictable patterns of market movements, challenging traditional financial theories. 🔹Demonstrating how complexity science applies universally, decoding patterns in systems ranging from the human brain to global communication networks. 🔹Exploring computational logic across biological scales, aiming to develop a formal language for collective computation. David Krakauer, President of SFI, describes the Institute as ‘The midpoint between the Bauhaus and Bell Labs’., focusing on the interdisciplinary unity of social and natural sciences, where traditional boundaries between disciplines are not just blurred but integrated. Building on the inspiring ethos of Santa Fe Institute, Zina Cinker's engagement will serve as a prelude to what we envision for PUZZLE X™ - introducing complexity science as one of its main verticals but also setting our stages for a deeper, interdisciplinary exploration in the vast landscape of exponential technologies and scientific breakthroughs. #puzzlex #santafeinstitute #exponentialtech #complexityscience

Instats is thrilled to announce the availability of our on-demand, self-paced seminar led by Professor Gary Chan, titled "Causal Inferences with Observational Data". This seminar will introduce you to innovative alternatives to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) – which are considered the 'gold standard' design for establishing causal relationships but come with their own set of challenges. Professor Chan will guide you through cutting-edge methods like propensity score matching, inverse probability treatment weighting, and marginal structural models, all designed to offer the benefits of RCTs without their known drawbacks. Perfect for professionals and researchers in fields where RCTs may not always be feasible, this seminar combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on application in R. You'll walk away with the confidence to implement these methodologies in your own research projects. Don't miss out on this opportunity to broaden your research toolkit and elevate your professional skills. Access the seminar today and unlock new perspectives in your research journey! https://lnkd.in/gjWSGVVp #CausalInference #ResearchMethods #DataScience #OnlineLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment

"If you look at history, what is thought of as rational is part of a very long historical chain of people applying this calculation in various ways, and over time that’s just how things are done. I’m really interested in pulling apart that idea that this is a sort of timeless rational calculation, as opposed to a product of this interesting history." MIT Program in Science, Technology, and Society professor William Deringer explores how quantitative reasoning has become part of public life. https://lnkd.in/e6xmnEH4 #thisismit #MITSHASS #history #MITSTS #humanities #data #socialsciences

📢 Join us on the 5th for exciting panel discussions at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science! 🌟 1️⃣ Topic: "International Collaborations in High-Performance Computing: Challenges and Applications" 🎤 Chaired by Janina Onuki 🗣️ Featuring esteemed speakers: Agma Juci, Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at USP André Fujima, Associate Professor at the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (USP) 2️⃣ Topic: São Paulo School of Advanced Science 🎤 Chaired by Marcella Ohira, Deputy Executive Director at the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research 🗣️ With insightful talks by: Anapatrícia Morales Vilha, Deputy Coordinator of Research for Innovation at FAPESP And that's not all! We'll also have "Practical Activity I" led by the knowledgeable Sam Robinson, Ph.D. in History of Science and Technology at the University of Manchester. Don't miss out on these enlightening discussions and opportunities to learn from experts in their fields! See you there! 🤩 #innscidsp #ScienceAndInnovation #HighPerformanceComputing

📊 Mastering Sample Size Determination: The PhD Student's Guide As a PhD student, research is your realm, and data is your ally. But how do you ensure your data is robust and meaningful? Sample size determination is the secret sauce! 🌟 The Quest for Precision Imagine your research as a telescope, and your sample size as the lens. Too small, and you'll miss details; too big, and things get blurry. Mastering sample size determination is like fine-tuning that lens for the sharpest focus. Avoiding Statistical Pitfalls Ever heard of Type I and Type II errors? Sample size influences these. Too small a sample, and you might miss real effects (Type II). Too large, and you could detect effects that don't exist (Type I). It's a Goldilocks situation, and you're in control! Practical Strategies Ahead In upcoming posts, we'll delve into strategies for mastering sample size determination. Stay tuned for tips, tricks, and tools to ace this critical aspect of your research journey! #PhDLife #ResearchMethods #DataScience

🚀 Excited to share my recent achievement in market research! 📈 I completed the "Market Research" specialization at the University of California, Davis on Coursera, earning my certificate on July 24, 2023. What I've learned: ✔️ Crafting professional research plans & proposals. ✔️ Analyzing focus group data and creating insightful reports. ✔️ Designing effective questionnaires and launching surveys to target audiences. ✔️ Analyzing survey results, performing calculations, and synthesizing findings. The gained skills: 🎓 Internality 🎓 Qualitative Research 🎓 Quantitative Research 🎓 Market Research 🎓 Proposal Writing Course Certificates: 🏅 Research Proposal: Initiating Research - Grade Achieved: 94.83% 🔗 View Certificate: https://lnkd.in/gRSvQMdr 🏅 Qualitative Research - Grade Achieved: 96.40% 🔗 View Certificate: https://lnkd.in/gHznmUhr 🏅 Quantitative Research - Grade Achieved: 89.02% 🔗 View Certificate: https://lnkd.in/g86TtFXc 🏅 Research Report: Delivering Insights - Grade Achieved: 92.50% 🔗 View Certificate: https://lnkd.in/gn4hC7Uc My ability to understand and decode patterns makes me great at predictions! Let's connect and explore how we can leverage these skills together. #MarketResearch #DataAnalysis #Predictions #CourseraCertified

The 2028 Research Excellence Framework (#REF) exercise’s measurement of the quality of #researchenvironments will account for a quarter of overall marks. Critics argue that funders’ efforts to evaluate research culture in the upcoming exercise are unlikely to capture a vibrant research culture through #metrics, outputs or key performance indicators #kpi, as THE reports. They fear that the REF’s focus on culture might distort priorities - particularly when it is so tricky to codify. Robert Insall, professor of mathematical and computational biology at the University of Glasgow, says the REF is not the right way to improve #researchculture. “Research culture is very easy to misrepresent – and therefore game – so I fear we’ll see a lot of dissembling and distortion,” he adds. Others have welcomed the shift, but there appears to be much still to be decided before the consultation comes to an end on 6 October 2023. Can the REF really address the research environment #crisis?