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Why do you enjoy research?

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  • 13-10-2009 10:34pm
    #1
    Valmont
    Registered Users Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭


    To anyone involved in scientific research; what do like most about it? what motivates you to work in your field? Why did you choose the research option over, say, industry or something more "applied".

    In my very limited experience, I enjoyed having autonomy over my own project in that the title and aims were not specified for me. I also found it very rewarding to pick an area I was interested in, to read the relevant literature in depth and then to construct a methodologically sound experiment to answer the research question I had formulated. I also felt as if I contributed somehow (even if only a small amount) to an existing scientific knowledge base.

    So, why do you enjoy research?


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    #2
    djpbarry
    Registered Users Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    Valmont wrote: »
    I also found it very rewarding to pick an area I was interested in, to read the relevant literature in depth and then to construct a methodologically sound experiment to answer the research question I had formulated.
    I have so far found it quite rewarding to have a research area selected for me (by virtue of the fact that this is the only place that would have me), skim over a few random article abstracts on my chosen topic (not easy to read papers and post on boards at the same time), which then form the basis of some semi-cogent experiment, the aim of which is not entirely clear and will be justified retrospectively, and subsequently stumble upon a previously unpublished discovery entirely by chance. Yep, research is fun.


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    #3
    Valmont
    Registered Users Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭Valmont


    djpbarry wrote: »
    ... which then form the basis of some semi-cogent experiment, the aim of which is not entirely clear and will be justified retrospectively, and subsequently stumble upon a previously unpublished discovery entirely by chance. Yep, research is fun.

    Maybe a career change is in order.


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    #4
    djpbarry
    Registered Users Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    I kid.

    Cynicism is on over-drive at the moment as I'm writing up my thesis.


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    #5
    sarah_anne
    Registered Users Posts: 20 ✭sarah_anne


    ye all of the above :)


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    #6
    Offy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,701 ✭✭✭Offy


    I love my job simply because Ive a big head. I love doing whats never been done before or doing something where others have failed. Its an ego thing but added to that what I do saves lives and that has a feel good factor to it. My job is perfect except for the pay, I dont know about anyone else but for me research pay is terrible, 10 years ago before I had a degree I earned substancly more working as a technician! I get more job satisfaction now but Im seriously thinking about resigning simply because the pay is so poor.


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    #7
    Valmont
    Registered Users Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭Valmont


    Offy wrote: »
    I get more job satisfaction now but Im seriously thinking about resigning simply because the pay is so poor.

    I did not know pay was bad in this area. Oh well.


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    #8
    winnow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27 ✭winnow


    The creation of new ideas!


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    #9
    espinolman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,205 ✭✭✭espinolman


    Valmont wrote: »
    To anyone involved in scientific research; what do like most about it?

    I love researching fringe sciences because i find out things and figure out how stuff works and because what i research probably wont be published in peer reviewed scientific journals i end up finding out stuff that very people know about , thats what i like to find out , to know more than mainstream scientists .


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    #10
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users Posts: 2,010 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    djpbarry wrote: »
    I have so far found it quite rewarding to have a research area selected for me (by virtue of the fact that this is the only place that would have me), skim over a few random article abstracts on my chosen topic (not easy to read papers and post on boards at the same time), which then form the basis of some semi-cogent experiment, the aim of which is not entirely clear and will be justified retrospectively, and subsequently stumble upon a previously unpublished discovery entirely by chance. Yep, research is fun.

    Ha ha, I love it
    (14 more posts and I get a "Thanks" button)


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