"PLANNING YOUR SCIENTIFIC JOURNEY. Evaluating a Scientific Question”

Target Audience: Graduate students, Postdocs, Staff Scientists and Technicians  

Discussion Topic: During this meeting we will talk about how to “Evaluate a Scientific Question” or idea based on a set of criteria. If you don't have a research question or idea that you are currently exploring, we recommend you spend some time this week choosing a “practice” topic or question.

Activities: self-assessments, expert videos and informal discussions.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, you will be able to …

• Explain why learning to ask a good research question is a key outcome of your training and an important transferable skill for your next career stage.
• Articulate the features of “good” research questions, so you can develop a meaningful and implementable project.
• Understand the definition of a hypothesis and its role in answering a research question.
• Describe your current or potential research question(s), if you have already formulated one.
• Analyze current or potential research question(s) using a set of criteria to identify the strengths and possible shortcomings of a project idea and to weigh the decision of committing to it.
• Describe how your research interests and skill set align with your research question and experimental approach.

Facilitators: Irina Filonova (PhD in life science) and Jeremie Gillet (PhD in physics)

Requirements:

• Enrolement to iBiology on-line course (absolutely free) https://courses.ibiology.org/courses/course-v1:iBiology+iBio1+2017_2/about
• Laptop
• Scientific question, idea or research project for evaluation