def METHOD_NAME(self, data):
    kernel_name = self._get_argument_if_exists(data, "kernelname")
    self.logger.debug("Kernel name is {}".format(kernel_name))
    if kernel_name is None:
        kernel_name = conf.server_extension_default_kernel_name()
        self.logger.debug("Defaulting to kernel name {}".format(kernel_name))
    return kernel_name