Success and creativity in scientific research : amaze your friends and surprise yourself / David S. Sholl.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sholl, David S., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Research.

Research--Methodology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (131 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Boca Raton, Florida ; London, England ; New York : CRC Press, [2021]

Summary:

Long-term success in scientific research requires skills that go well beyond technical prowess. Success and Creativity in Scientific Research: Amaze Your Friends and Surprise Yourself is based on a popular series of lectures the author has given to PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Both entertaining and thought-provoking, this essential work supports advanced students and early career professionals across a variety of technical disciplines to thrive as successful and innovative researchers. Features: Discusses habits needed to find deep satisfaction in research, systematic and proven methods for generating good ideas, strategies for effective technical writing, and making compelling presentations Uses a conversational tone, making extensive use of anecdotes from scientific luminaries to engage readers Provides actionable methods to help readers achieve long-term career success Offers memorable examples to illustrate general principles Features topics relevant to researchers in all disciplines of science and engineering This book is aimed at students and early career professionals who want to achieve the satisfaction of performing creative and impactful research in any area of science or engineering.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Preface

Author

1 How to Become an Overnight Success

Then and Now - Marco Polo, Alfred Russel Wallace and Grumpy Cat

Fiona Wood and Spray-on Skin

Lineages of Successful Scientific Papers

The 10 Billion Blood Drop

Kuen Charles Cao and the Invention of Optical Fibers

Are You Ready to "Do a Bradbury"?

Chapter Summary

Further Resources for Chapter 1

2 Deep Work, Shallow Work and Frippery

Why Is Deep Work Worthwhile?

Making Deep Work Work for You

Establish Schedules and Rhythms for Your Work

Embrace Boredom - Training Yourself to Enter a Distraction-Free State

Make Conscious Choices about Technology

Further Resources for Chapter 2

3 The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Researchers

Bad Habit # 1: Believe Your Own Hype

Bad Habit # 2: Don't Learn from the Past

Bad Habit # 3: Work Alone

Bad Habit # 4: Confuse Activity with Productivity

Bad Habit # 5: Exclude All Inputs That Aren't Immediately Relevant

Bad Habit # 6: Criticize Others but Never Yourself

Bad Habit # 7: Let Your Personal Background Hold You Back

Additional Resources for Chapter 3

4 How to Have Outrageously Good Ideas

What Would Croesus Do?

Can You Tell Me Where It Hurts?

Where Else Would That Work?

Would Flipping It Help?

What Would Gandhi Do?

Further Resources for Chapter 4

5 Writing for Fun, Profit and Career Advancement

Specious Barriers to Writing and the Secret of Successful Writing

Specious Barrier #1: I Can't Find Time to Write (a.k.a. I Could Write Much More If I Just Had Large Chunks of Time)

Specious Barrier #2: I Need to Read a Few More Articles

Specious Barrier #3: I Need a Nicer Chair/New Computer/ Stronger Coffee.

Specious Barrier #4: I Am Waiting Until I Feel Like It (a.k.a. I Write Best When I'm Feeling Inspired)

Moving Beyond Specious Barriers

What to Do When You Write

Playing and Practicing are Two Different Things

Don't Worry about the Hard Part

Be Honest

Be Optimistic

Be Persistent and Be Consistent

Additional Resources for Chapter 5

6 The Secrets of Memorably Bad Presentations

A Sample Presentation

Further Resources for Chapter 6

7 How to Win the Nobel Prize and Change the World

Try to Solve Major Problems and Make Big Discoveries

Acquire the Basic Skills and Work with the Right People

Talk about the Problem

Learn to Write Clearly and Concisely

Focus, Don't Be a Dilettante

Be Generous and Culturally Aware

Tell the Truth

Be Persistent, But Be Prepared To Fail

Take Care of Yourself and Live a Long Life

Your Time Is Precious

Further Resources for Chapter 7

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-00-310709-5

1-003-10709-5

1-000-35690-6

9781003107095