Academics, avoid falling into these traps:

1/ Lack of focus in research area:

I have noticed that some early career researchers trying to do research projects in multiple different areas. They say things like “but I have interest in so many areas”.

They worry about feeling bored when staying in one area.

The deeper I get into the subject, the faster it unlocks new research questions that are more exciting and sophisticated.

When I do multiple projects that are out of my field of interest, I can only do low-hanging fruits projects, not very impactful.

When you focus, you can:

– make progress in a particular field faster

– establish yourself as an expert

– find a good collaborator and

– publish in a higher impact journal.

2/ Not being a good collaborator

To be productive in academia, collaboration is key.

Collaboration allows you to:

– generate new ideas

– generate new skills

– share resources

But, don’t sabotage these collaborating opportunities.

What makes a bad collaborator?

– Unreliable – not meeting deadlines, needing people to bug you for the tasks

– Not communicating – ghosting them.

– Poor work quality – sending shabby work.

– Selfishness – prioritizing own interest over the goals of the project

3/ Overreliance on one methodology:

Some academic clinicians may become overly focused on a single methodology or approach.

This will limit your ability to explore new ideas or tackle complex research questions.

Remember, you are not an XZY method researcher.

You are a researcher trying to solve a problem in a field. The various methods are tools for you to solve a problem.

Look for the best method to answer the question.

4/ Work in isolation:

Research is not a solo endeavor, it is a team sport. Don’t do this alone.

Some academics I know don’t collaborate because they are worried about people stealing their ideas.

If you collaborate, the research is more impactful.

Don’t stay within your small little bubble.

Meet people in different fields to get cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.

5/ Neglecting the operational side of things:

As a principal investigator (PI), you are the CEO and COO of your lab.

Do you have a proper system on how things are run?

How do you manage your lab notes, meeting notes, data storage, inventory, data analysis?

Do you have standard operating procedures for all the task?

The goal as a PI is to scale right?

The sooner you build a system, the better.

That way, you can “duplicate” yourself.

You can start start documenting your processes even as a one-person PI.

Don’t wait until you have 3 post-docs, 4 medical student, 2 research assistants in your lab before building a system. By then, it will get really overwhelming.

————————————-

TL:DR

1/ Lack of focus in research area

2/ Not being a good collaborator

3/ Overreliance on one methodology

4/ Work in isolation

5/ Neglecting the operational side of things

© Jia Ng