Winifred
Have you ever had a job doing some kind of scientific research, if so what was it like?
#research #researcher #scientist
3 answers
Claudia Casarotto
Claudia’s Answer
Hi Winifred,
I have two experiences to share:
1) I have been involved in research as a doctoral student. I was lucky to work in a large, multidisciplinary team and to be given the opportunity to work a lot in the field (Zambia, in my case). The research work has been incredibly stimulating and innovative but at the same time challenging and confusing. While my advisors did a great job, PhD research is at times a lonesome job and it require a lot of dedication, long hours, and the need to learn new tools, methods, software and approaches. It is tough but extremely rewarding.
2) I have worked in the country management of a large research organization specializing in quantitative field research. In such a job one is one notch removed from academia yet close enough to be in a position to provide advise on research design, data quality and analysis and also co-publish research. Instead of focusing on one or a few topics only, as in example 1, this type of job requires to work on a large number of different research pieces and topics, on a different level of depth. It is a great platform to learn about the latest research in various fields and get to collaborate with lead researchers globally. It also entails a lot of financial and people management, that I have always considered as a big plus but can deter a little people who want to focus on the details of research.
I hope this helps,
Claudia
Vahan Aslanyan
Vahan’s Answer
I am currently working in a research lab. My responsibilities are centered around data. Some days I have multiple meetings and a lot of data to process, on others it goes really slow. Sometimes it gets frustrating when you are unable to solve the problem at hand fast but having the end goal in your mind always helps you to push through.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
My Journey in Scientific Exploration
In my academic journey, I've been fortunate to delve into the world of scientific research. My role as a research assistant in a lab setting was both demanding and gratifying. Here's a snapshot of my enriching experience:
1. Immersive Learning: The world of scientific research offered me an immersive learning platform. Here, I could apply the theoretical knowledge I acquired from lectures to practical experiments and studies. This hands-on exposure was crucial in deepening my grasp of scientific principles.
2. Teamwork: The nature of scientific research necessitates collaboration with fellow researchers, scientists, and field experts. Being part of a team facilitated the exchange of ideas, receipt of feedback, and contribution to the shared knowledge in our specific study area.
3. Crafting Experiments: A critical element of scientific research is formulating experiments to test theories and collect data. This step demanded meticulous planning, precision, and strict adherence to scientific guidelines to ensure the credibility and consistency of our findings.
4. Interpreting Data: After performing experiments, my role involved analyzing the gathered data to derive meaningful conclusions. This phase required the use of statistical tools, software, and critical thinking skills for accurate interpretation of results.
5. Creative Problem-Solving: The path of scientific research often throws up challenges and unforeseen hurdles that call for innovative problem-solving skills. Navigating these obstacles through experimentation, troubleshooting, and creative thinking was a key part of my research journey.
6. Articulating Ideas: The presentation of findings, report writing, and sharing results with peers or at conferences were vital parts of my scientific research journey. Enhancing my communication skills allowed me to express complex ideas in a clear and succinct manner.
In summary, my role in scientific research was a dynamic and mentally engaging journey that boosted my analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, and ignited a passion for discovery in the realm of science.
Top 3 Trusted References:
National Science Foundation (NSF) - The NSF, a premier federal agency, champions fundamental research and education in all science and engineering fields.
Nature Research Journals - Nature, a prestigious publisher, disseminates impactful scientific knowledge across various disciplines through its array of journals.
ScienceDirect - ScienceDirect, a comprehensive online database, provides access to a broad spectrum of peer-reviewed scientific articles, journals, and research papers from respected publishers globally.
These references played a pivotal role in offering precise information on scientific research methodologies, practices, and insights into the academic world.
May God Bless You!
James.