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I am about to start 2 years of Bio research, do you have any tips on being a good researcher? I'm really nervous and not sure if I'll be able to be independent.
Being a good researcher?
- Thread starter magicaldinosaur
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Plan your experiments. Don't start experiments on a Friday if that means you have to come in the next day. If you're dealing with cells and stuff, remember that HeLa cells don't care whether it's memorial day or 4th of July, either you gotta go in or you start over 🙂
and yeah... take notes!
and yeah... take notes!
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Show up on time.
If you can't come, communicate your plan rather than surprising folks depending on you.
Don't ask the lab staff to give you a ride to the office because you don't care for public transportation.
Be meticulous and record everything where you can easily find it again.
If your writing is illegible, PRINT in block letters.
Attend staff meetings so you have a better overview of the entire process.
Read the background literature.
Ask for and read the original study proposal.
If you can't come, communicate your plan rather than surprising folks depending on you.
Don't ask the lab staff to give you a ride to the office because you don't care for public transportation.
Be meticulous and record everything where you can easily find it again.
If your writing is illegible, PRINT in block letters.
Attend staff meetings so you have a better overview of the entire process.
Read the background literature.
Ask for and read the original study proposal.
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Don't get discouraged (we all go through that stage).
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Write everything down when someone is explaining things/protocol to you. Ask as many questions as you can now because there will soon be a time when "you should know that by now." Also, with that being said, always try your hardest to solve whatever issue you have (can't find something in the lab, not sure about next step in protocol, what media does this cell line get?, etc) before going to your lab mates. The post docs/grad students I've worked with sometimes just didn't have time for the undergrads' minute questions.
Research is a great experience to learn, but how much you learn really depends on how much you WANT to learn. You have to push yourself and really be devoted and willing to spend the time in lab if you want to get a great experience.
If possible, never be shy and always ask questions to your graduate student or PI, just make sure you are not annoying them at all. Always be willing to help around because the more you get involved the more interesting experiments and projects you can become incorporated into. Its a really great experience but you have to make the most of it!
If possible, never be shy and always ask questions to your graduate student or PI, just make sure you are not annoying them at all. Always be willing to help around because the more you get involved the more interesting experiments and projects you can become incorporated into. Its a really great experience but you have to make the most of it!
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Read all the papers that your mentor gives you. I know for some lab members, their biggest pet peeve is when their undergrads don't read the papers that they are given. Don't get discouraged if you make mistakes/mess up a coupe experiments. We've all been there and done that. Communication in a lab setting is key. Make sure you and your mentor/PI are on the same page as you.
Once you get comfortable with the project you're working on, start proposing side projects related to the topic that you're working on (ie We found this result using this antibody with our cell line. Some papers say they get a better result from using this other antibody. How about we try this other one?)
Once you get comfortable with the project you're working on, start proposing side projects related to the topic that you're working on (ie We found this result using this antibody with our cell line. Some papers say they get a better result from using this other antibody. How about we try this other one?)
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Try to accomplish as much as you can each day…but don't overreach.
What I mean by this is that you should make a list of things you are going to do each day - usually 1 big thing and several small things to tackle if there's time. Plan thoroughly for the big thing. Read papers, take notes, and plan out the experiment fully (in writing) so that when it's time to work, you can go off of your notes. Gather all of your supplies beforehand. Record all of your research neatly, and type up your methods/results/graphs right away so that you can show your mentor you are being productive.
If there's still time after all of that, handle a few little things.
What I mean by this is that you should make a list of things you are going to do each day - usually 1 big thing and several small things to tackle if there's time. Plan thoroughly for the big thing. Read papers, take notes, and plan out the experiment fully (in writing) so that when it's time to work, you can go off of your notes. Gather all of your supplies beforehand. Record all of your research neatly, and type up your methods/results/graphs right away so that you can show your mentor you are being productive.
If there's still time after all of that, handle a few little things.
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All new endeavors are fraught with anxiety. Relax, keep your eyes open, and you'll be fine. Do one thing, and do it well.
And document everything. If you didn't right it down, you didn't do it.
And if you're not making mistakes, you're not learning.
And document everything. If you didn't right it down, you didn't do it.
And if you're not making mistakes, you're not learning.
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in addition to all that, read reviews on the topics. I.e. not primary research articles, but Review articles about the particular topics that you are studying. Review articles often sums up the field nicely and the references provide you a nice list of relevant papers and studies for deeper understanding and reading
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Write everything down. Literally. For the first few weeks, use your lab notebook as a diary. Record catalogue numbers, lot numbers and vendors for the reagents you use. Draw pictures/take pictures with your phone. Until you know what is important to record, it's all important.
Read the papers you're given closely, and write down questions about how the authors make their arguments with the data they present. Pick a few papers the authors cite frequently and read over the abstracts. Get a sense for what passes as a good paper and who the players are in your field.
Clean up common areas, even if it's not your mess. Report anything broken or bizarre to the lab manager as soon as you notice it. Get a sense of who belongs in the lab, and don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new lab members.
If you're a baker, bring the lab food. We love homemade baked goods. 🙂
Read the papers you're given closely, and write down questions about how the authors make their arguments with the data they present. Pick a few papers the authors cite frequently and read over the abstracts. Get a sense for what passes as a good paper and who the players are in your field.
Clean up common areas, even if it's not your mess. Report anything broken or bizarre to the lab manager as soon as you notice it. Get a sense of who belongs in the lab, and don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new lab members.
If you're a baker, bring the lab food. We love homemade baked goods. 🙂
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Way to be a winner!
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Echoing what everyone else is saying about writing things down - you will not believe how fast you forget details or steps of protocols otherwise. I refer to my lab notebook as my spare brain for a reason.
Also - remember the lab is still a professional setting. Some undergrads in my lab talk too much about non-research related things and it annoys some of the grad students who are trying to concentrate.
Also - remember the lab is still a professional setting. Some undergrads in my lab talk too much about non-research related things and it annoys some of the grad students who are trying to concentrate.
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Ask your PI for her grant. The grant outlines the background, motivation, current state of the field and goals (end expected outcomes/future directions) of the current projects in the lab. Grants are typically written such that a non-expert but generally intelligent science person can understand them so it should be right at your level.
