Research Projects

Overview

An independent project is a major component of this course. Projects will be conducted in groups of 2-3 people (please ask me about possible exceptions). The projects will be due in several stages, detailed below and on the course schedule.

Do not actually attack or potentially compromise anyone's security or privacy without first obtaining appropriate approval. (Check with the instructor if you're unsure.)

You are free to select any project related to the course focus of technology-enabled misinformation. Possible project types include:

• Attacks: Investigate, evaluate, extend, or develop a technique for creating or spreading digital misinformation (e.g., using the DeepFakes code available here).
• Measurements: Conduct a measurement to assess the nature or prevalence of a misinformation-related problem (e.g., analyzing the advertisement data released by Facebook available here, or the Twitter data available here).
• User Studies: Conduct a user study, either formative (e.g., studying people's attitudes about technology-enabled misinformation) or evaluating a particular defense.
• Defenses: Design and prototype a new defense, or technically evaluate an existing defense that has been proposed (e.g., the defenses mentioned here or here).

Project Timeline and Deadlines

There will be multiple project checkpoints and opportunities for feedback throughout the quarter.

1. October 5, 11:59pm: Project Groups Due.
   You may work in groups of 2-3 people. You may use the class discussion board to connect with potential group members. In rare cases it maybe possible to work a group of size 1; please contact me if you wish to explore this option. Please submit your project groups to me via email.
2. October 12, 11:59pm: Project Proposals Due.
   Each group will submit a 1-2 page project proposal, including a problem definition, motivation, planned approach and evaluation, and a list of milestones and dates.
3. Week of October 15: Meet with Instructor to Discuss Proposal.
   Each group will meet with me to discuss their project proposal. We will schedule these meetings (approximately 15 minutes each) in advance of this week.
4. November 2, during class: Project Checkpoint Presentations.
   Each group will give a 10-minute presentation during class, presenting their project goals and progress to the class, receiving feedback, and providing feedback to other groups.
5. November 2, 11:59pm: Project Checkpoint Writeups Due.
   Each group should submit a short (2-3 page) progress report. The progress report should explicitly address the milestones established in your original proposal, discuss which milestones you have met, and propose a new set of milestones if it appears that your original milestones are no longer appropriate. In your progress reports, you should reflect on what you have accomplished and draw preliminary conclusions from your results.
6. NEW: November 7, 8am and during class: Peer Project Workshopping.
   We will spend this class period workshopping projects, e.g., pilot testing surveys or providing feedback on other material, between project groups. Before class (by 8am), please start a thread for your project on the course discussion board with a paragraph describing what you would like feedback on, including any links or files needed.
7. November 21, 11:59pm: Project Report Drafts Due.
   Each group should submit a draft of their written report. The formatting of the draft report should match that of a final report. (See below for what a final report should look like.) The draft may include placeholders for new results, but should have as complete as possible, including related work.
8. December 7: Final Project Presentations
   All group members should participate in the presentation. Presentations should be 10-12 minutes long with a few minutes for questions (for a 15 minute slot total).
9. December 13, 11:59pm: Final Project Reports Due
   Each group will submit a short (at most 12 page) written report. Please submit the report as a PDF file. Your report should be in single- or double-column format, single-spaced, with 12pt font and at least 1 inch margins.
   Separately, each group member should also submit a short (up to 1 page) summary of their contributions to the project.