This is a hands-on guide for graduate students and young researchers wishing to perfect the practical skills needed for a successful research career. By teaching junior scientists to develop effective research habits, the book helps to make the experience of graduate study a more efficient and rewarding one. The authors have taught a graduate course on the topics covered for many years, and provide a sample curriculum for instructors in graduate schools wanting to teach a similar course. Topics covered include choosing a research topic, department, and advisor; making workplans; the ethics of research; using scientific literature; perfecting oral and written communication; publishing papers; writing proposals; managing time effectively; and planning a scientific career and applying for jobs in research and industry. The wealth of advice is invaluable to students, junior researchers and mentors in all fields of science, engineering, and the humanities. The authors have taught a graduate course on the topics covered for many years, and provide a sample curriculum for instructors in graduate schools wanting to teach a similar course. The sample curriculum is available in the book as Appendix B, and as an online resource.
• Teaches practical skills for doing research, enabling young researchers to develop useful research habits and avoid time-consuming pitfalls • Provides a sample curriculum of a course for graduate students, supplying professors with ideas on how to educate their graduate students more effectively • Provides clear advice on career development, allowing students to make informed decisions about career options and strategies for a successful research career
Contents
1. Introduction; 2. What is science? 3. Choices, choices, choices; 4. The adviser and thesis committee; 5. Questions drive research; 6. Giving direction to your work; 7. Turning challenges into opportunities; 8. Ethics of research; 9. Using the scientific literature; 10. Communication; 11. Publishing a paper; 12. Time management; 13. Writing proposals; 14. The scientific career; 15. Applying for a job; 16. Concluding remarks; Appendix A. Further reading; Appendix B. A sample curriculum; Appendix C. The Refer and BibTeX format; Index.
Reviews
‘… a must for any graduate student.’ ‘I enjoyed your approach to academic planning, problem solving and personal development. I will certainly recommend your class to other students!’ ‘… I learned a lot of things that will carry into my future research.’ Comments from students on Professor Snieder and Professor Larner’s course
‘… this book will be an important resource for students considering entering careers in science, and I would definitely encourage students to read it.’ Kurt Haas, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
'… conveys a healthy balance between research as a passion and as a practical reality. It contains a wealth of positive and useful advice that should be of great benefit to young researchers.' Frits van Oostrom, Utrecht University, Emeritus President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
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