Turning ideas into research directions#

Ideas are raw material. This page helps you shape them into research directions that are testable and clear.

Capture#

• Keep a simple research log in a notebook or text file.
• Record the date, the idea, and where it came from.
• Add short tags like “security”, “data”, or “HCI”.

Expand#

• Write 3 variants of the idea.
• Change the dataset, the user group, or the system.
• Ask “What would make this measurable?”

Check novelty#

• Search for 3 to 5 recent papers on the same idea.
• Write one sentence about what each paper does.
• Identify gaps or missing evaluations.

Evaluate feasibility#

• Can you build a small experiment fast?
• Is there data you can access quickly?
• Are the tools within your skill range?

Ask for feedback#

• Share a 2 to 3 sentence pitch with a peer.
• Request one criticism and one improvement.
• Revise the idea based on the feedback.

Idea to question template#

Use this template to refine the idea:

• Topic area:
• Main variable:
• Target system or dataset:
• Outcome you will measure:
• Final question:

Signs the idea is ready#

• The question has a clear outcome or metric.
• The scope fits within one semester.
• You can explain why the result matters.