Research Methodology in Bioscience and Biotechnology: Research Mindset • Best Practices • Integrity • Publications • Societal Impact

✍ Scribed by Kian Mau Goh

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 255
• Edition: 1st ed. 2023
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This monograph offers a comprehensive guide to good research practices and mindsets, covering a wide range of topics across 8 chapters. Readers will find numerous themes and strategies that can help them develop their research skills and achieve their objectives, from effective proposal writing to stress management and upskilling. This book explains the purpose, process, tips, and mistakes of writing proposals, theses, articles, and reviews in clear and straightforward language, allowing readers to develop good research plans. By applying the advice and insights offered in this book, students and researchers can improve the quality of their work, cultivate research integrity, and develop good publication plans, write well, and reduce rejection rates. Research outputs will be more likely to be of high quality if students and researchers are encouraged to cultivate these pieces of advice. The focus of the book is not solely on the outcomes of research. Rather, it also delves into mindset, habits, adaptability, time management, stress management, recent tools for upskilling, planning, and execution. Throughout the book, the author seeks to instill a growth mindset in the readers, encouraging them to develop positive research habits and behaviors. KPIs, particularly publications, shall not be used as a reason to erode research integrity and ethnicity; therefore, plagiarism, self-citation, falsifying data, exaggerating findings, authorship in publications, the use of AI tools, CRediT, and COPE are discussed. This book contains interviews with high-profile researchers, top management at institutions, policy advisers, etc., whose opinions and advice the readers will find valuable. Overall, this all-in-one guide is an essential resource for postgraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and academics who are struggling to find a survival strategy in the rapidly changing research environment. The book assists readers in developing right mindset, planning their research and publications, and in achieving their predetermined objectives.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
List of Tables
1: Science and Philosophy
1.1 Science and a Degree in Science
1.2 Philosophy and a Doctorate of Philosophy
1.3 Why Get a PhD and Become a Researcher?
1.3.1 PhD for Everyone?
1.3.2 Extrinsic Motivation or Intrinsic Motivation
1.3.3 Fixed-Mindset or Growth-Mindset
1.3.4 Research Mindset
1.4 Basic Research Versus Applied Research
1.5 Summary
References
2: Student´s Proposal, Dissertation, or Thesis
2.1 What Is a Thesis?
2.2 The Chapter One of a Thesis: Introduction
2.2.1 Background of Study
2.2.2 Aims, Problem Statement, and Objectives
2.2.2.1 Research Gap
2.2.2.2 Common Mistakes
2.2.2.3 Ways to Write a Research Problem
2.2.2.4 Create a Clear Transition
2.2.2.5 Problem Statement Is Not Purpose Statement
2.2.2.6 Drafting Objectives Using the BE-SMART Rule
2.2.2.7 Drafting the Research Question and Hypothesis
2.2.3 Significance of Study or Thesis Impact Statement
2.2.4 The Chapter Two of a Thesis: Literature Review
2.2.4.1 Define Literature´ andReview´
2.2.4.2 Purposes of Literature Review
2.2.4.3 Constructing Literature Review Using Various Sources
2.2.4.4 Reference Manager
2.2.4.5 Advice in Preparing Literature Review
Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary Source?
Can I Use Textbooks and Chapters in Books and Review?
Can I Use Internet Sources or Magazines?
The Same Idea or Knowledge Was Discussed in Two Different Articles. Which Article Should I Cite?
Old Versus New?
Avoiding Reader Confusion
Easy-to-Follow Storyline
Cite as We Write
Use Visual Aids
Using Own Words in a Clear and Readable Manner
Bibliometric Analysis
Social-Economic Factors
Patent Files
Open Data
2.2.5 The Chapter Three of a Thesis: Materials and Methods
2.2.6 Chapters Four and Five of a Thesis: Results and Discussion
2.2.7 Drafting Abstract
2.2.8 Setting and Using a Word Template
2.2.9 How to Get Started and Keep the Ball Rolling?
2.2.10 Summary
References
3: Research Integrity and Publication Ethics
3.1 The Need for Integrity and Ethics
3.2 Scientific Misconduct
3.2.1 General Meaning
3.2.2 Plagiarism
3.2.3 Publication and Citation Interfere
3.2.4 Approval and Permits
3.2.5 Falsifying Data and Exaggerating Findings
3.2.6 Misconduct Stain Our Record Versus Retraction with Honour
3.3 Authorships
3.3.1 Honorary Authorship
3.3.2 Contributor Roles Taxonomy
3.3.3 Committee on Publication Ethics
3.3.4 Arrangement of Authorship
3.3.5 Corresponding Authors
3.4 Peer Review Misconduct
3.5 Viva Voce Misconduct
3.6 New Threat in Research Ethics and Misconduct
3.6.1 Emerging Artificial Intelligence
3.6.2 Grey Business
3.7 The Dilemma App of Research Integrity
3.8 Summary
References
4: Good Research Practices
4.1 Managing and Keeping Biological Samples
4.1.1 Simple Random Sampling
4.1.2 Cluster Sampling Strategy
4.1.3 Systematic Sampling
4.1.4 Stratified Random Sampling
4.1.5 Labelling Samples
4.1.6 Storing Samples
4.2 Reproducibility and Validating Experimental Data
4.3 Polyphasic Experimental Approaches
4.4 Managing Digital Resources
4.5 High-Resolution and Effective Figures
4.5.1 Size and Resolutions
4.5.2 Basic Graph Using Excel with the Aid of Photoshop
4.5.3 Excellent Graphing Tools
4.5.4 Tools Related to Biological Figures
4.5.5 Publisher and Third-Party Artwork Service
4.5.6 Artificial Intelligence Artwork
4.6 Intellectual Property Protection
4.6.1 Copyright
4.6.2 Industrial Design and Geographical Indications
4.6.3 Patent
4.7 Develop Reading Habit
4.7.1 Chefs Eat Researchers Read
4.7.2 Reading Information Provided by Suppliers
4.7.3 Are We Hypocritical?
4.7.4 Making Ourselves Read
4.7.5 Using AI to Make Summaries
4.8 Translating Planning to Action
4.8.1 Power of the Calendar
4.8.2 Think Win-Win
4.8.3 Keeping Blue Ocean Strategy in Mind
4.8.4 Determine Your Own Fate
4.9 Lifelong Learning Tools
4.9.1 Publishers Upskill Tools
4.9.2 Private Entities Upskill Tools
4.9.3 Massive Open Online Courses
4.9.4 Reverse Mentoring
4.10 Be Visible
4.11 Summary
References
5: Publication 101
5.1 Publication Purposes and Correct Mindsets
5.1.1 Reasons for Students to Publish
5.1.2 Reasons for Staff to Publish
5.1.3 Publish for the Sake of Key Performance Indicators?
5.2 Types of Publishers and Documents
5.3 Authorship: COPE and CRediT
5.4 Indexation and Metrics
5.4.1 Scopus and Web of Science
5.4.2 Predatory Journals
5.4.3 Non-indexed = Predatory Journals?
5.4.4 Scopus´ CiteScore and WOS´ Impact Factor and Quartile
5.4.5 H-Index
5.5 Advice in Choosing the Right Journal
5.5.1 Consideration-1: Book Chapter or Indexed Journal?
5.5.2 Consideration-2: Impact Factor
5.5.3 Consideration-3: Building a List of Journals That We Are Familiar with
5.5.4 Consideration-4: Building Journals List from the WOS
5.5.5 Consideration-5: Specific or Multidisciplinary Category
5.5.6 Consideration-6: Free´ or Open Access 5.5.7 Consideration-7: Normal Track or Special Volume 5.5.8 Consideration-8: Format of Article 5.5.9 Consideration-9: Using Journal Selection Tools 5.6 Review Articles 5.6.1 Who Should Be Writing a Review? 5.6.2 Benefits of Writing a Review 5.6.3 Getting Started and Keep Rocking 5.6.4 Review Is Not a Summary 5.7 Best Practices to Avoid Being Rejected 5.8 Setting Publication Plan 5.8.1 What Is Your Publication Plan? 5.8.2 The Green and Red Octopus 5.8.3 Publication Planning 5.9 Summary References 6: Improving Writing and Presentation Skills 6.1 Communication Skills 6.2 Proofreader 6.2.1 Human Proofreader 6.2.2 Artificial Intelligence Proofreader 6.3 Effective Presentation 6.3.1 Modern Slide Design 6.3.2 Oral Presentation 6.3.3 Artificial Intelligence-Voice Presentation 6.4 Summary References 7: Lessons Learned from Nature´s Reports 7.1 Good Lab Culture 7.2 Mentors and Collaborators 7.3 Stress and Mental Health 7.3.1 Large-Scale Survey 7.3.2 Stress Caused by Money 7.3.3 Stressful Postdocs and Principal Investigators 7.3.4 The Way Out Where There Seems to Be No Way 7.3.5 Is Stress Really Bad? 7.4 Quitting the PhD Program, an Option for Students? 7.5 Summary References 8: Success Can Be Learned 8.1 Can Success Be Learned? 8.2 Comments and Advice 8.2.1 What Advice Would You Give to a Young Scientist Just Beginning His or Her Career in Science? 8.2.2 Do You Agree that the Primary Objective of a PhD Program Is to Collect and Publish Data? 8.2.3 If You Were to Give Advice to Readers Considering Pursuing a PhD or Young Lecturers Supervising PhD Students, What Would... 8.2.4 How Do You Define Good Mentoring? 8.2.5 What Are Your Strategies or Tips for Generating Publications? 8.2.6 How Do You Envision the Future of Bioscience and Biotechnology? 8.2.7 Could You Please Briefly Explain the Importance of Social Science Research and What the Common Practices Are? 8.2.8 How Can Social Science Elements Be Incorporated into Conventional Biotechnological Research? Can You Share with Us Some ... 8.2.9 What Message Would You Like to Convey to Young Women Who Are Considering a Career in Scientific Research? 8.2.10 How Would You Describe an Impactful Researcher from Your Perspective? 8.2.11 Would You Be Willing to Share with Us Your Secrets to Success in Science? 8.2.12 In Your Opinion, What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Biotech Scientists Today? 8.2.13 Is There Any Advice You Would Give to Young Academicians Who Are Struggling in Their Careers to Help Them Control Their... 8.2.14 You Have Been a Part of the Ups and Downs in Research and Publication, in Administration, in Teaching, in Making Great ... 8.2.15 What Message Would You Like to Convey to Young Women Who Are Considering a Career in Scientific Research? 8.2.16 There Is a Perception Among Young Researchers and Student Authors that Journal Publication is Difficult. As an Author, ... 8.2.17 Could You Give Us Some Tips on How to Handle a Project with Researchers, Students, and Postdocs from Different Countrie... 8.2.18 Why Is International Networking and Industrial Engagement Important in Your Opinion? 8.2.19 What Advice Would You Give to a Young Scientist Just Beginning His or Her Career in Science? 8.2.20 Would You Be Able to Explain How Data Science and Biology Will Intersect in the Future? Would You be Able to Give Any A... 8.2.21 Describe What Makes You a Preserver. What Drives You to Keep Moving forward? 8.2.22 Are There Any Human Behaviours or Attitudes that May Prevent PhD-Holders from Progressing as Researchers? 8.2.23 Are You Afraid of Failure, or How Do You Deal with Failure and Rejection? 8.2.24 What Are Your Thoughts on Students Who Fail Their Thesis? 8.2.25 Writing Papers have been a Part of Your Professional Life for Many Years. Can You Share Your Experience on That? 8.2.26 Having Worked in a Variety of Academic/Research Institutions and countries, What Are Your Recommendations for a Young R... 8.2.27 Are There Any Strategies or Tips You Can Share with Researchers at the Beginning of Their Careers in Order to Generate ... 8.2.28 You Have Developed Strong Collaborations and Networks with Researchers from a Variety of Universities or Countries. It ... 8.2.29 Taking into Account Your Experience and Observation, What Motivates High Achievers in the Field of Bioscience and Biote... 8.2.30 Are Women Scientists Generally Faced with More Challenges Than Men? Is There Any Advice for Female Readers Who Feel So ... 8.2.31 You Are a Senior Editor of Many Good Journals. In Your Own Experience, How Have You Benefited from the Responsibility o... 8.2.32 As the Chair (Dean) of the School of Graduate Studies, You Have Witnessed the Joy and Achievement of Research Students,... 8.2.33 Would You be Willing to Share with Us Your Secrets to Success in Science, from an Industrial Point of View? 8.2.34 If You Were in Your Position, How Would You Recommend Universities in Order to Align Their Research to Meet the Needs o... 8.2.35 What Are the Most Challenging Issues that Scientists in the Field of Bioscience and Biotechnology Face? What Is Your Ad... 8.2.36 There Are Multiple Short-Term Fellowships That You Have Received. Why Did You Apply and Why Did You Travel to Different... 8.2.37 Having Worked in a Variety of Academic Institutions and Countries, What Are Your Recommendations for a Young Researcher... 8.2.38 Do You Believe that Moving Abroad to Study or Work Is Only Suitable for Young Adults? 8.2.39 How Do You Set Research Goals and Maintain Momentum to Achieve Them? 8.2.40 How Do Students Find Motivation in Research? 8.2.41 What Are the Major Differences Between Research in Developed and Developing Countries? Could You Please Explain What Ca... 8.2.42 Some Students Believe That Simply Focusing on Textbooks and Exams or Scoring an A Is Sufficient. Thus, They Decide Not ... 8.2.43 How Would You Define PhD? 8.2.44 In Your Opinion, What Soft Skills or Interpersonal Skills Should One Possess to Be Not Only Successful but Also Be Outs... 8.2.45 How Important Do You Think It Is to Have Good Communication and Planning Skills? 8.2.46 What Is the Funniest Behaviour That You Have Seen from Certain Researchers That You Think Should Be Changed? 8.2.47 The Suggestions You Have Provided Cover a Wide Range of Topics. Is It Possible for You to Summarize Them in a Concise M... 8.2.48 What Does Stagnation in a Person´s Research Achievement Mean to You? What Causes Stagnation and What Should Be Avoided? 8.2.49 Do You Believe that Mentoring and Collaboration Are Important? Why? What Advice Would You Give to Young Researchers Sea... 8.2.50 Could You Please Provide Some Advice to Candidates Who Are Considering Doing a PhD in the Field of Bioscience or Biotec... 8.2.51 Based on Your Experience and Observations, Do You Believe that Master´s and PhD Degrees are Only Suitable for Students ... 8.2.52 Would You Also Agree that Only Lecturers and Researchers Who have Obtained Training and Graduated from Top Universities... 8.2.53 A Successful Faculty Member Must Take into Account a Number of Factors. It Could Include Things Such as (i)Strategy´,...
8.2.54 Researchers from Less Developed Countries, Especially PhD Graduates Who Have Just Joined as Academics, May Feel That Th...
8.2.55 Describe the Top Three Things That Young People (Researchers and Academicians) Should Prioritize and Put Effort Into, S...
8.2.56 In Your Opinion, What Should the Head of the Department or a Senior Professor Do to Support the Professional Developmen...
8.2.57 In Your Opinion, What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Biotech Scientists Today?
8.2.58 Why Is Networking and Industrial Engagement Important in Your Opinion?
8.2.59 Research and Publications have been a Part of Your Professional Life for Many Years. Describe What Makes You a Preserve...
8.2.60 The Research You´re Doing Now Aligns Very Well with the Sustainable Development Goals, and You´ve Been Putting a Lot of...
8.2.61 It Is Important to Have a Solid Foundation of Knowledge and to Publish in the Academic Field. In Your Capacity as a Res...
8.2.62 How Would You Recommend Universities in Order to Align Their Research to Meet the Needs of Industry and Society?
8.3 Reflection
8.3.1 Motivation
8.3.2 Perseverance
8.3.3 Building a Strong Foundation
8.3.4 Upskilling
8.4 Conclusion
References
Appendix A. Tips to Teaching Lecturers
Appendix B. A Letter to the Young Generation
Appendix C. List of Useful Tools and AI