i have recently started my phd at the University of Ottawa (Canada) in
computer science. I still havn't found a topic to propose. I am
interested in web technology, Logic, formal systems. My background is
more in logic/formal languages (i am willing to learn other stuff). I
also would like the topic i choose to have applications and use in
future google projects.


i am looking for a research topic :
	- from which i can extract a valid phd research proposal 
	- for which there is a teacher in Ottawa (either at the University of
Carleton or the University of Ottawa) that does 	research in that
particular area of computer science (i do not want to relocate)
	-for which there are companies (specifically google) out there with a
long term interest.

The answer should also provide me with some sources (web, books,
articles) on the subject.

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Clarification of Question by partofresearch-ga on 15 Jul 2003 12:57 PDT

Not looking for someone to do the work for me, but rather for a
research direction i have never been exposed to, and that i wouldn't
know or think about. This is part of the research process, and i am
viewing it as me using a new tool to discover. Finally, it is only 50$
because i am really just looking for a potential general direction.

BTW, i am also contacting people in different faculties, schools and
fields, going to the library and reading the news. I see this as just
being part of that.

As and adjunct prof. and someone wrapping up my PhD, let me, as
politely as possible, suggest that is absurd on at least two fronts:

1. Choosing a suitable research question is actually one of the most
important and challenging aspects of the entire diessertation process.
 It's not the sort of thing someone can do in a matter of a few hours,
which the price you attached to this question indicated (see google
answers guidelines on pricing).

2. The dissertation process is meant to challenge and test YOUR
ability to do ORIGINAL research.  Having someone write out your
quesiton--and even do a segment of your literature review--is
unethical.  If discovered in an American universith with an "honor
code" about misrepresenting others' work as your own, it could easily
result in you being removed from the university.

Really this should hold true at all levels of education, but
particularly at the doctoral level, you should recognize that academia
is about learning.  Having someone else do your work robs YOU of your
education and opportunity to learn.  If you really don't feel
adequately prepared to come up with a research question and literature
review, you need to discuss this with the faculty in your department.