#73 Next Level Research

Hey friends,

I was in Tunisia this week, visiting several research institutions.

4 sessions of 4+ hours. Lots of engagement and discussions with the participants.
Mainly PhD candidates and more senior researchers from various fields.

I also had a rich meeting with the CNUDST, managing the access to scientific resources, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

One question was asked quite a few times:
how can we improve the quality of research?

There are a few things to consider

First of all, the participants mentioned many different challenges:

• Choosing a relevant research topic

• Staying organized and managing time

• Methodologies problems

• Language issues when English is not your mother tongue

• Selecting a relevant journal for publication

There are few changes one can apply

You probably already saw the acronym KISS, which stands for Keep It Stupid Simple
Here is how you can apply it in research:

• Choose an interesting topic in demand with a nice story to tell

• Be clear and precise in all the sections of your paper

• Make sure your methodology and approach are strong

• Get feedback from your colleagues (including your supervisors) as early as possible. Start with your outline. No need to wait for the final draft

• Stay organized. How? Do one thing at a time. No multi-tasking. Block focus work blocks in your calendar. A nice routine is your friend here

• Keep track of all your data, notes, references (many softwares can help here)

• Only use quality and relevant sources. No shortcut on your literature review. Don’t forget critical thinking

• Finally, take it easy. Good things take time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process

I think we’re being more and more used to easy things, fast rewards, instant gratification…

Whereas, in research, things tend to move much slower.

Well, that’s all for this week.

Let us know how you plan to improve the quality of your research?

As always, if you need clarification or assistance with your research projects, feel free to reach out to me, and I will respond.

See you next Sunday!
Jamal