Alon_-_2009_-_How_to_choose_a_good_scientific_problem.-annotated英文电子资料.pdf

Molecular Cell Forum How To Choose a Good Scientific Problem Uri Alon1,* 1Department Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel *Correspondence: urialon@weizmann.ac.il DOI 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.09.013 Choosing good problems is essential for being a good scientist. But what is a good problem, and how do you choose one? The subject is not usually discussed explicitly within our profession. Scientists are expected to be smart enough to figure it out on their own and through the observation of their teachers. This lack of explicit discussion leaves a vacuum that can lead to approaches such as choosing problems that can give results that merit publication in valued journals, resulting in a job and tenure. The premise of this essay is that a fuller point for discussion (Figure 1). We will principle of optimization theory. If pro- discussion of our topic, including its compare problems by imagining two blem A is better on both axes than subjective and emotional aspects, can axes. The first is feasibility —that is, problem B, one can erase B from the enrich our science, and our well-being. A whether a problem is hard or easy, in units diagram. Applying this criterion to all good choice means that you can compe- such as the expected time to complete problems, one is left only with problems tently discover new knowledge that you the project. This axis is a function of for which there are no problems clearly find fascinating and that allows self- the skills of the researchers and of the better in both feasibility and interest. expr