Exploring Uncharted Territories: Mastering the Unknown through Investigation and Study
Saira Reyes, Engineering Correspondent
Navigating a new research project in a field outside your expertise can be a daunting task. This is a lesson that a recent intern in a bioengineering lab learned first-hand.
At the start of the internship, the intern felt overwhelmed by the new information, having only taken MOL214 and CBE245. However, by the end of the internship, the intern was working independently and designing experiments.
One of the key strategies that the intern found helpful was breaking the topic into manageable parts. Instead of trying to understand the whole project at once, the intern tackled one concept at a time.
Another strategy that proved useful was starting with broad background information. The intern began by asking questions based on things they already knew, rather than asking complex questions right away. This approach helped the intern to gradually build foundational knowledge.
When faced with complex concepts, the intern didn't hesitate to ask for guidance from their mentor. They found it helpful when their mentor commented on why their potential answers were incorrect, as this helped the intern gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
To understand the intricate diagrams and processes, the intern asked their mentor to draw diagrams of the different pathways they were discussing. Breaking up these diagrams into smaller sections and focusing on understanding one section at a time also helped the intern to grasp the information more effectively.
Reading academic papers was another crucial part of the intern's journey. The intern suggests reading the abstract thoroughly, skimming the introduction and results, and looking at diagrams carefully. This approach helped the intern to quickly identify the main points and understand the research findings.
When presenting questions to the mentor, the intern advises asking for guidance towards the correct answer. This approach not only helped the intern to learn but also made the mentor-intern relationship more productive.
Getting up to speed in a new research project can be challenging, but by following these strategies, it can be made less daunting. The intern's journey in the bioengineering lab serves as a testament to the effectiveness of these strategies in building competence and confidence when working on unfamiliar research topics.
These strategies emphasize the importance of situating new knowledge within broader conversations and exercising critical thinking throughout the process. They also encourage applying both hard skills and soft skills throughout the learning process to interpret and convey findings effectively.
In conclusion, effective strategies for navigating unfamiliar research topics include breaking the topic into manageable parts, starting with broad background information, developing clear research questions, engaging in iterative reading, making your learning dialog with existing scholarly literature, evaluating and synthesizing information critically, applying both hard skills and soft skills, organizing your notes, and using experiential learning or project-based approaches when possible. By following these strategies, you can build competence and confidence when working on unfamiliar research topics, making the learning process more manageable and productive.
Personal growth and education-and-self-development are crucial aspects of navigating unfamiliar research topics, as demonstrated by the intern's journey in the bioengineering lab. Effective strategies for learning include breaking the topic into manageable parts, starting with broad background information, developing clear research questions, engaging in iterative reading, making your learning dialog with existing scholarly literature, evaluating and synthesizing information critically, applying both hard skills and soft skills, organizing your notes, and using experiential learning or project-based approaches when possible. These strategies will foster personal growth, learning, and ultimately, success in unfamiliar research projects.
