The Art of Being a Scientist by Snieder, Roel -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

1 Introduction 2 What is science?

2.1 Deduction versus induction 2.2 Reductionism and wholism 2.3 Why science is hard … and what makes it an art 2.4 Many ways to practice science 2.5 Why would you want to be a scientist? 2.6 Who is doing science?

3 Choices, choices, choices

3.1 General considerations 3.2 Choosing a university and department 3.3 Choosing an adviser 3.4 Choosing a project 3.5 How do you fit into the picture? 3.6 A checklist with questions

4 The adviser and thesis committee

4.1 Different styles of advising 4.2 The thesis committee

5 Questions drive research

5.1 The need to ask questions 5.2 Order and prioritize questions 5.3 Turning questions into a workplan

6 Giving direction to our work

6.1 Set goals 6.2 Five steps to take in working toward your goals 6.3 What is your greatest resource? 6.4 Being goal-oriented or process-oriented 6.5 More than goals and process is meaning in our work

7 Turning challenges into opportunities

7.1 Being confused because of lack of direction 7.2 Being confused because you don’t understand something 7.3 Simplify first 7.4 Identify mistakes quickly 7.5 Serendipity and playfulness 7.6 Being stuck 7.7 Getting the right answer for the wrong reason 7.8 Keep two types of notes

8 Ethics of research

8.1 Respect the property of others 8.2 Be honest 8.3 Stand up for your scientific integrity 8.4 Disagree respectfully 8.5 Authorship issues 8.6 Interacting with other players 8.7 Ethics of the content of research

9 Using the scientific literature

9.1 Doing a literature search 9.2 Keeping up with the literature 9.3 Making a database of references

10 Communication

10.1 Why communicate? 10.2 Communication is difficult 10.3 Written communication 10.4 Oral presentations 10.5 The scientific conference 10.6 Concluding note: you, the audience

11 Publishing a paper

11.1 Before you start writing 11.2 Submission and review 11.3 After publication

12 Time management

12.1 Setting priorities 12.2 Using time effectively

13 Writing proposals

13.1 Who funds research? 13.2 The core content of a proposal 13.3 The other parts of a proposal 13.4 Writing and submitting the proposal

14 The scientific career

14.1 The academic career 14.2 Comparison with the industrial career 14.3 Switching fields: benefits and pitfalls 14.4 As you take on more responsibilities 14.5 Gender issues 14.6 Closing words

15 Applying for a job

15.1 Be informed 15.2 The application letter and resumé 15.3 The interview visit 15.4 Negotiate! 15.5 Before signing a contract in industry

16 Concluding remarks

16.1 Create your own luck 16.2 Life is a boomerang 16.3 Think of – and be – a role model 16.4 Trust and commitment

Appendix A Further reading Appendix B A sample curriculum Appendix C The Refer and BibTeX format References About the authors Index