Overview
My research interests are quite widespread, as can be seen from my
publications. I have written papers in all of these areas over the past 25 years...
- Novel Multiple-Choice Test Formats,
- Computer Science Education and eLearning in Japan,
- Asynchronous Circuits,
- Software Metrics,
- Formal Methods for Concurrency,
- CAD for Integrated Circuits.
I think my research interests have probably been too eclectic for my own good! The amount of time I have available to devote to research from year to year has varied a lot, but I've managed to continue to be research-active throughout my career. The following summary describes my activities in each of the above areas, in more or less reverse chronological order.
Novel Multiple-Choice Test Formats
My interest in novel forms of multiple choice (MC) tests arose out of my having to teach and assess a class of 70 final year students all on my own, in 1996/7. I decided that the best way to deal with the assessment of such a large group was to use MC tests, however I was concerned that standard MC tests give rise to artifically inflated marks. I developed
a fairly simple MC test that uses negative marking address this problem. I believe it is a real improvement over the standard MC test format, and I have authored several papers relating to this -
the first one published in 1999; the latest two (both 2006) are
here and
here (number 8 in the list).
Computer Science Education and E-learning in Japan
My interest in
Computer Science Education in Japan and
E-learning in Japanese Universities arose when I was considering what to work on during my
sabbatical in Japan (2001).
Asynchronous Circuits
My interest in
asynchronous circuits was sparked by
Prof Mark Josephs, who joined South Bank in 1993. This led to my acting as a second supervisor to two of Mark's PhD students - Francesco Pessolano (who completed in 2000) and Jun Xu (who completed in 2002).
Software Metrics
From 1989 to 1992 I had the opportunity to work full-time (at South Bank) on the EC-funded
METKIT project. This was a
technology transfer project in the area of software metrics undertaken by South Bank in collaboration with seven industrial partners. The
primary aim was to develop packages of teaching material for use both in industry and academia. The research I undertook during this period formed the basis of my subsequent PhD, awarded in 1994.
Formal Methods for Concurrency
After joining South Bank (in 1986) I became interested in formal methods for concurrent system design and analysis. This led to my working as part of a research team at South Bank sponsored by British Telecom Research Laboratories. I enrolled for a PhD in this subject, but didn't get very far with it.
CAD for Integrated Circuits
Before joining South Bank I was involved in research and development in the area of
computer-aided design of integrated circuits.