Anyone else feel like this with research?

[Ophthoseidon]

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During M1 summer I was really interested in doing some research. However, every time I look up some of the work done by the PI's, I read it and have this WTF feeling. I feel like I don't understand a lot of what it is talking about. Is this normal?

 

[DermViser]

During M1 summer I was really interested in doing some research. However, every time I look up some of the work done by the PI's, I read it and have this WTF feeling. I feel like I don't understand a lot of what it is talking about. Is this normal?

Yes, it is normal.

 

[dyspareunia]

During M1 summer I was really interested in doing some research.

No, not normal at all.

But really, not knowing what the hell is going on can be normal. We're MS1s.. we know nothing.

 

[operaman]

Totally man, been there! Especially with basic science stuff since I don't really have a science background at all.

It bugged me for awhile until I realized that research is the ultimate team sport and I didn't need to fully understand everything, I just needed to be able to work with people who did and synthesize the information. So read as much as you can and learn as much as possible, but at some point you'll hit a wall where what it takes to reach the next level of expertise is more than you can afford right now. At that point, find someone else who already has it and get them onboard with your project.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Yes, it is generally quite difficult to understand someone else's research in a poster/manuscript form.

Once you do basic lab research you can generally explain it in much more understandable/layman's terms, especially if it's translational rather than purely mechanistic or delving deeper into basic science.

 

[solitarius]

Just do clinical research?