Where you confused when you first started research?

[browneyes124]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just got on a research team a month ago. I haven't actually gotten to do anything hands on because they had to revise some security stuff so mine and another guy who got on the team around the same time just had our orientation Wednesday. I have been to the lab meetings since Mid- February. Our meetings are once a week. I get how to do all the technical stuff such as injections, the different procedures/ surgeries we do, tests, etc... but I get confused during the lab meetings because they send us articles that are kind of related to stuff we do in lab. Like sometimes we work with Ritalin so it'll be an article about that and how it affects certain receptors or something. I think it might be because I haven't been in the lab as long as everyone else but it just kind of makes me feel dumb because it seems like everyone gets it. I get the general idea but do get confused about some of the drugs and get their functions and stuff mixed up.
Did you guys experience this when you first started? I feel like i might understand it better when i do get to work more in the lab. How long did it take you guys before you fully understood everything in lab? I've talked to some people and they all said they experienced the same thing when they started and that within a few months it goes away but I just feel kind of discouraged right now.

 

[JustAPhD]

It takes (understandably) awhile until you'll be at a level that you feel that you "get it". This is normal. Research tends to make people feel like you're feeling now. I always thought that it just stems from the nature of research. You're constantly thinking about things you, by the definition of research, don't know the answer to, and that can make anyone feel dumb.

In terms of background knowledge, just try to read (and comprehend!) as many papers as possible. Review articles are usually a good place to start, once you get those down then move onto the specifics and the nitty gritty primary literature.

Actually doing the experiments will help. I know they've always helped me because you can logic your way through each step and really understand why you're doing each. By knowing why you're doing each step you will pick up the info faster.

 

[browneyes124]

It takes (understandably) awhile until you'll be at a level that you feel that you "get it". This is normal. Research tends to make people feel like you're feeling now. I always thought that it just stems from the nature of research. You're constantly thinking about things you, by the definition of research, don't know the answer to, and that can make anyone feel dumb.

In terms of background knowledge, just try to read (and comprehend!) as many papers as possible. Review articles are usually a good place to start, once you get those down then move onto the specifics and the nitty gritty primary literature.

Actually doing the experiments will help. I know they've always helped me because you can logic your way through each step and really understand why you're doing each. By knowing why you're doing each step you will pick up the info faster.

Thanks. How long did it take for you to be comfortable with what your doing? It's just that me and the guy are the new people and everyone has been there for at least a year and mostly everyone is Grad students or honor students. Sometimes in the meetings they will abbreviate things and I dont know what it means but sometimes I don't want to ask because I don't want everyone to think I'm stupid. I'm the youngest person in the group (sophomore) so I feel like I kinda have to prove myself.

 

[P0ke]

Thanks. How long did it take for you to be comfortable with what your doing? It's just that me and the guy are the new people and everyone has been there for at least a year and mostly everyone is Grad students or honor students. Sometimes in the meetings they will abbreviate things and I dont know what it means but sometimes I don't want to ask because I don't want everyone to think I'm stupid. I'm the youngest person in the group (sophomore) so I feel like I kinda have to prove myself.

You're in the learning phase. I had no idea what my research was for several months into it. Read and comprehend literature related to what you're doing. You want to eventually be able to describe what you're doing as more than "doing stuff with Ritalin or something". Maybe have one of the older students mentor you while you're in the lab.

 

[browneyes124]

You're in the learning phase. I had no idea what my research was for several months into it. Read and comprehend literature related to what you're doing. You want to eventually be able to describe what you're doing as more than "doing stuff with Ritalin or something". Maybe have one of the older students mentor you while you're in the lab.

Ya that's good advice. Any tips about how to go about asking someone to be your mentor? Not just for the lab situation but also in general too? Do you actually ask them anything or is it just assumed ?

 

[Strudel19]

My first research stint was at a academic hospital and I was confused about things right up until the last couple weeks of the summer. My second stint is clinical research at a private practice and because we've worked on so many protocols I understand everything completely. What helped the most was knowing background information, reading other articles help tremendously, and just getting experience on several projects. This way you understand study design, primary endpoints, etc a bit better.

The most confusing of it all in my opinion is the IRB, shipping lab specimens and the incredibly strict requirements of people on the data management side. I.e, three years into a study and they query you saying "Patient visit was done on day 929. It should be between day 918 and 926." Seriously!?

 

[Strudel19]

I'll also add that really understanding things is going to be almost impossible if you haven't had a path bio class or at least physio course yet, so don't worry

 

[browneyes124]

I'll also add that really understanding things is going to be almost impossible if you haven't had a path bio class or at least physio course yet, so don't worry

Thanks. I'm taking neurobiology next semester and since my lab is a neuroscience lab it should help a lot to and also when I take psychopharmacology. Thanks. It's good to know I'm not the only who's had a hard time. It's nice though because everyone in my lab is nice and the PI, his research assistant and a girl that's been in there for a year said that everyone is really nice and they are more than willing to help explain stuff to me and just ask if I have questions so that's nice

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I just got on a research team a month ago. I haven't actually gotten to do anything hands on because they had to revise some security stuff so mine and another guy who got on the team around the same time just had our orientation Wednesday. I have been to the lab meetings since Mid- February. Our meetings are once a week. I get how to do all the technical stuff such as injections, the different procedures/ surgeries we do, tests, etc... but I get confused during the lab meetings because they send us articles that are kind of related to stuff we do in lab. Like sometimes we work with Ritalin so it'll be an article about that and how it affects certain receptors or something. I think it might be because I haven't been in the lab as long as everyone else but it just kind of makes me feel dumb because it seems like everyone gets it. I get the general idea but do get confused about some of the drugs and get their functions and stuff mixed up.
Did you guys experience this when you first started? I feel like i might understand it better when i do get to work more in the lab. How long did it take you guys before you fully understood everything in lab? I've talked to some people and they all said they experienced the same thing when they started and that within a few months it goes away but I just feel kind of discouraged right now.

totally thrown off by the terminology/words used in papers. also felt lost a lot until i just kept reading articles

 

[JustAPhD]

I'll also add that really understanding things is going to be almost impossible if you haven't had a path bio class or at least physio course yet, so don't worry

Not really. Considering the OP said he was doing injections and surgeries I'd assume he's working with mice or a species similar. OP dfinitely doesnt need path or phys to understand.

Edit: although reading your initial post, I see you did clinical research so I can see where you're coming from (although, I still think primary literature can get someone up to speed just as well as a class).

The timeline to get to a point where you feel comfortable and understand most of everything is highly variable depending on everything from the type of research, complexity of research, and general aptitude of the researcher.

 

[browneyes124]

Not really. Considering the OP said he was doing injections and surgeries I'd assume he's working with mice or a species similar. OP dfinitely doesnt need path or phys to understand.

Edit: although reading your initial post, I see you did clinical research so I can see where you're coming from (although, I still think primary literature can get someone up to speed just as well as a class).

The timeline to get to a point where you feel comfortable and understand most of everything is highly variable depending on everything from the type of research, complexity of research, and general aptitude of the researcher.

Ya I haven't started doing surgeries yet just injections, but I've watched alot of them being done. I am working with rats. I think he might have been preferring to that fact that some classes might make it easier to understand the articles and literature. My lab is behavioral neuroscience. So it's kind of a mix of psychopharmocolgy, biology, and psychology. The things I get the most confused on are drug names because sometimes people will say a drugs brand name but them switch it out for the original and I'll think there are 2 different things, but i'm learning. Im not on the lab schedule much since im just starting out but I try to go in whenever I don't have classes to observe just so I can see how everything is done and so that they know I want to be involved.

 

[browneyes124]

It's nice to hear that i'm not the only one whos had a hard time at first. Its really encouraging 🙂

 

[neekzg]

Yes and I continued to be confused all throughout my time as an undergrad. Being the dumbest person in the room can be a good thing sometimes as you're pushed to learn faster

 

[luckycccc]

I've worked in neuroscience research for two years as a technician. I can say the best thing you can do at lab meeting while discussing papers or during your experimental training is ask questions. No one expects you to understand everything but asking questions shows that you are engaged and interested as well as having a basic reading comprehension about what is going on in the papers. Kudos to you for getting involved, research was life changing for me and fundamental to my acceptance this year so just keep it up and you'll be great! 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[bee17]

It's totally normal to feel lost! I was very confused and frustrated when I first started research as a freshman. A few years later, and I'm about to start my MD/PhD lab rotations! Freshman bee17 would have never dreamed of a research-focused career. I was recently running some reactions in lab next to a new student who was visibly frustrated about making a mistake. It took me back to those days when I felt like I couldn't do anything right. Keep working hard and asking questions; you'll get there!

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

Been doing research for past 3 months...still have basically no idea WTF is going on or what I'm supposed to even be doing.