2021 Annual Meeting Startup & Practice Management Access Pass-Group 2, Part 1 - Research (Focus on Outside & International Collaboration)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this informal talk, a seasoned researcher shares candid lessons on conducting academic research, emphasizing that anyone can become proficient despite initial struggles. The foundation of good research is asking a strong, interesting question that is personally engaging, feasible to study, and valuable—whether publishable, presentable, or patentable. The speaker recounts personal missteps, such as poorly designed projects and failed studies, highlighting that perseverance and learning from mistakes are key. Collaboration and inclusivity are vital; partnering with others, even those outside your specialty, enriches research and fosters meaningful relationships. He stresses the importance of stepping outside one’s narrow field to embrace interdisciplinary insights, citing examples where this approach led to groundbreaking findings. Practical advice includes starting projects early, breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and embracing a moderate level of procrastination to improve creativity. Becoming a peer reviewer can sharpen skills in writing and understanding what makes a paper publishable. Delegating tasks and investing in reliable research support staff increase efficiency. Finally, he advises counting the personal and professional costs, recognizing that research can be time-consuming and challenging. Overall, the talk encourages passion, curiosity, teamwork, and persistence as the cornerstones of successful academic research.

Asset Caption

Dr. John Tokish

Keywords

academic research

research methodology

interdisciplinary collaboration

research perseverance

project management

peer review

research challenges