Addressing LISA Science Analysis Challenges

Science analysis is the process by which observations are transformed into scientific insight and understanding. In the same way that even the most artful analysis cannot compensate for poor data, so even the best instruments and observational skill can compensate for an inability to adequately analyze the data. LISA is no exception. Exactly because LISA is a pathfinder for a new scientific discipline — gravitational wave astronomy — LISA data processing and science analysis methodologies are in their infancy and require considerable maturation if they are to be ready to take advantage of LISA data. Here we offer some thoughts, in anticipation of the LISA Science Analysis Workshop, on analysis research problems that demonstrate the capabilities of different proposed analysis methodologies and, simultaneously, help to push those techniques toward greater maturity. Particular emphasis is placed on formulating questions that can be turned into well-posed problems involving tests run on specific data sets, which can be shared among different groups to enable the comparison of techniques on a well-defined platform. The questions, from which demonstration problems can be posed, are organized by source type. Accompanying each set of questions is a short discussion meant to provide context and motivation for the questions that follow.