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  Preface

Why This Book Exists

This handbook was born not from authority—but from necessity.

As a new researcher in a Master’s program, I expected guidance on how to “do research.” Instead, I found myself lost in a maze of unfamiliar terms—journals, conferences, venues, citations, impact factors—without a map, compass, or even a starting point. No one taught us how to find actual research papers. Or how to tell if something was peer-reviewed. Or how to explore what others have already built in our chosen topic.

I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
And that’s the most dangerous kind of blind spot.

At the same time, I was wrestling with a bigger question:

“What topic should I pursue for my thesis?”

I started where I felt most inspired—drones and computer vision. I imagined autonomous systems, smart agriculture, and embedded AI. I built vision projects. I learned CNNs. But then reality hit: it was expensive, hardware-dependent, and logistically hard to execute without institutional resources. So I humbled myself—and pivoted.

I turned to Natural Language Processing, where everything could be built and tested in software alone. What began as a practical decision became a purpose-driven mission. I created intelligent chatbots. I built multi-modal apps like ScanlyAI. And then, I had my breakthrough moment:

AI can serve society—not just impress it.

This insight crystallized into two thesis directions:

  • AI-Powered Legal Aid Chatbot – Bringing access to justice closer to everyday Filipinos.
  • AI-Powered Transparency Assistant – Letting citizens query government budgets and audit reports conversationally.

These weren’t just feasible. They were impactful.
They didn’t just align with my skills. They aligned with my values.

So this book is more than a set of academic tips. It’s both: - A map for navigating the research ecosystem (when no one teaches you how). - And a record of what it means to evolve—from vague interest to focused impact.

If you’ve ever felt lost choosing a topic, confused by academic structures, or frustrated with the lack of guidance, this handbook is for you.

Who Should Read This

This handbook is for:

  • Graduate students—especially those in technical or interdisciplinary programs who feel like they were thrown into the deep end without learning how to swim.
  • Early-stage researchers trying to explore literature, validate their problem space, and understand what has already been done.
  • Self-taught builders transitioning into the academic world of conferences, journals, and research ethics.
  • Professionals writing a thesis after years of software development, seeking clarity without getting buried in jargon.

You don’t need a PhD mindset to use this guide.
But you do need a beginner’s curiosity and a builder’s determination.

From Chaos to Clarity: How This Book Was Born

The turning point came when I realized:

“I cannot finalize my methodology without first understanding what’s already been tried.”

That single insight reframed everything.

Before I could build my thesis, I had to build context.
Before I could design experiments, I had to understand the landscape.
Before I could claim novelty, I had to understand what existed.

And yet—no one showed us how to do that.

So I started asking the questions the classroom skipped:

  • Where do I even find papers on my topic?
  • What’s the difference between a journal and a conference paper?
  • How do I know which sources are credible?
  • What tools do real researchers use to track 100+ papers?
  • How do I organize my reading so I don’t get overwhelmed?

Each time I found an answer, I wrote it down. What started as a survival strategy became a growing knowledge base. That base became a table of contents. And now, it’s this book.

What You’ll Learn (and What You Won’t)

✅ You will learn:

  • How to choose a research topic that fits your skills, values, and constraints.
  • How to identify credible academic papers in your field.
  • Where to find research papers, datasets, and tools.
  • How to read, organize, and track what you've studied.
  • What publishers, journals, and conferences are most relevant to CS.
  • How to cite, paraphrase, and build your related work ethically.
  • What tools (Zotero, BibTeX, Obsidian, etc.) can drastically improve your workflow.
  • How the academic publishing and peer review process works—from CFP to revision.

❌ You will not find:

  • Generic theory about “what is research” with no practical use.
  • Overly abstract philosophical debates with no application.
  • Fluffy motivational filler about “believing in yourself.”
  • Academic jargon with no clarity.

This is a hands-on, confused-to-capable, read-this-before-your-thesis-falls-apart type of book.

How to Read This Handbook

Each section is modular and practical.

  • You don’t have to read it in order. Jump to the part that solves your current struggle.
  • Action steps and tools are called out clearly—so you can apply them right away.
  • Appendices include templates, citation guides, and sample materials to copy or adapt.
  • Your topic may change. Your workflow may evolve. That’s the point. This handbook evolves with you.

This is not the book your professor handed out.
This is the book I wish someone handed me when I first Googled:

“how to find related papers and write a research proposal in CS.”

Let’s build it, together.