Collaborative Research

We're writing a paper about computer supported (or technology enhanced) collaborative research (CSCR) with a local colleague. Due to this I've been going trough some literature about CSCR. I've found some really interesting descriptions of CSCR environments, but unfortunately it seems that no of these really exists yet.

One thing I find interesting in these papers is, however, the lack of definition of collaborative research. At first it might seem quite obvious concept, but if you consider it more carefully, especially going beyond your own area, it becomes more blurred. I do believe that collaborative research, or research in general, is very different on different subjects. Even (such a small thing as =) ) selected methodology affects the nature of research quite a lot.

The other interesting thing is that how CSCR differs from CSC work (CSCW) and CSC learning (CSCL) especially. Research is more or less learning, but how different is it? Here, I think, one important issue to consider is the level, or skill, of the researchers. Master level students, and beginning PhD students need more interventions from their supervisors than more mature PhD students. Then, professors and other experiences researchers won't need any outside support anymore.

And one more thing. How do we initiate collaborative research? Why do certain peolpe start to collaborate with research in mind? In my case it was the order of the professors and requirement of my grant. In other case it was the expertise of other person and again, order of a professor. It seems that usually collaborating researchers have something in common even before they start collaboration. Thus, the idea for collaboration seldom needs to be invented, because it more or less exists before the collaboration is initiated. Does this affect the process of CSCR and does this make it different from CSCL and CSCW?

I would love to hear your opinion. Especially on what do you think is collaborative research!

Somethings I find Strange, part III

1. Things dropping to my head (cont.)
I'll add a red caterpillar (approx. 5cm) to this list. It nearly dropped to my head in the toilet today.

2. Chairs.
So what is strange with chairs. Well, nothing, except that they tend to be extremely low. Considering the fact that Taiwanese are really not that small, I find this extremely strange. All the chairs are so low, that angle of my knees is less than 90 degrees, and this can be really painful sometimes. Especially my operated knee tends to go numb.

The worst case scenario of this are the chairs at the classroom where I have my Chinese lessons. These are desks (thus the chair and table are connected) with low seat and quite low table. It is almost impossible to find a good position in them... although this might be the purpose of them as well!

Taipei

Hmm. It has been quite long time since I last wrote something. Lots of things have happened since then.

I went to Taipei this weekend and explored the city. Even though it does not seem that tricky city on the map, it proved to be it in real life. So, this is what happened. On Friday evening, after 4,5 hours train trip from Kaohsiung to Taipei, I first went to my hostel (called Taiwanmex, with extremely good location just couple of mins walk from Taipei Main Railway Station). Then, I decided to go and explore the city.

I went to the underground mall that is located nearby the railway station. It actually covers quite an huge area and navigating it is bit tricky. Well, I eventually found a nice place to get up from there, and decided to go around for a while. After walking around 20 minutes, I found a nice place with small streets full of shops and restaurants. Kept walking for a while and then I decided to locate my self from the map. Well. Easier said thatn done. The small streets and the long time spent underground totally confused me and I really had no idea where I was. Well, easiest solution was just to keep walking and to find a place big enough to be visible on the map. After about 30 miutes I found a subway station where there was a map with which I could then see where I was. After that navigation was much easier.

During the weekend I also had the chance to see local ice hockey games and to referee them as well. The games were good, and they have got some really talented players. I was told that most of the players have their background in in-line hockey.

From Taipei I travelled back with HSR, the High Speed Rail. The train goes pretty damn fast,and it only took 1.5 hours to get back to Kaohsiung. Normal train took 4.5 hours. However, it was bit funny that after 1.5. hours in train, it took me 1 hour to get back to the uni with bus.