Unveiling New Exploration: Discovering the Unknown: A Study on Acquiring Unfamiliar Knowledge
Saira Reyes, an Engineering Correspondent, shares her experience of navigating a bioengineering lab as an intern, having limited coursework knowledge in the field.
Reyes found herself in unfamiliar territory when she started her internship. The lab's complex metabolic pathways and processes were a mystery to her. To make sense of it all, she asked for diagrams and clarification on the use of PCR and gel electrophoresis in the research.
Starting with familiar concepts and expanding from there, Reyes found it less intimidating to begin her research journey. She recalls feeling overwhelmed during her first lab meeting, but with time, she became comfortable with the subject.
One of the strategies that helped Reyes understand her research project was asking a mentor to guide her towards the correct answer. Presenting a mentor with two or more possible answers for a question can help in critical thinking about the research topic. A mentor may provide comments on why potential answers are incorrect, further enhancing understanding.
To understand research topics, it is recommended to do some literature reading. Reyes followed this advice, conducting a thorough literature review to gather and review relevant background information, key texts, and existing studies in the field.
Reyes also emphasises the importance of being patient when starting a new research project. Understanding the entire metabolic pathway of a yeast cell was challenging, but with time, she managed to understand it one section at a time.
In the final weeks of her internship, Reyes found herself working independently on experiments, identifying alternative solutions, and presenting her work. This experience not only deepened her understanding of the research topic but also boosted her confidence in her research abilities.
Effective strategies for preparing and understanding a new research project, especially in a field unfamiliar to you, involve several systematic steps. These include choosing and narrowing your research topic, developing clear research questions and objectives, conducting a thorough literature review, deciding on an appropriate methodology, planning and organizing your research process, seeking feedback and refining your plan, efficient information management, and understanding the structure of scholarly writing.
These strategies help build a solid foundation for a new research project, ensuring comprehensive understanding and effective execution even in unfamiliar fields. They emphasize gradual learning, iteration, organization, and engagement with existing scholarship throughout the research process.
In her journey of navigating a bioengineering lab as an intern, Saira Reyes utilized personal growth and learning opportunities, gradually understanding complex metabolic pathways and processes through systematic strategies like literature reading and seeking mentor guidance. Her experience not only expanded her education-and-self-development in the field but also boosted her confidence in her research abilities, highlighting the importance of patience and gradual learning.
