Neuropsychology Arena

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• Price: $29.95 $26.96
• Paperback: 131 pages
• Also available in e-Book
• Published: June 2011
• ISBN: 978-1-4398696-5-9
• Publisher: CRC Press

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Describing the philosophy of the scientific method and the training and professional characteristics needed for a successful career, Scientific Research as a Career is a comprehensive "how-to" guide for the aspiring scientist. Based on the author’s experience both as a scientist in a research organization and as a university mentor, the book covers:

• The interaction between management and leadership principles and scientific research
• Qualifications and attributes usually required to become a successful researcher
• History, application, and prerequisites of the scientific method and scientific progress
• Exploration of the careers of pivotal and influential scientists

The author highlights the importance of networking and the value of forming contacts with colleagues, joining scientific associations, attending conferences, making presentations, and acting as chairs for conference sessions. He also touches on the many areas outside of "the science" that readers are likely to encounter during their career, such as mentoring, supervising research students, and managing a group. The book clearly delineates not only the challenges currently facing scientists, but also how to overcome them and achieve success in their careers.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Motivation and Requisites for a Research Career

Early Interest and a Simple Research Problem

Importance of Combining Study with Experimentation

References

Scientific Training and Personal Development

University Qualifications

Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees

Research Ph.D. versus Combined Research and Course Work

Imaginative and Regimented Thinking

The Ph.D. Preliminary Examination

Research versus Collecting Data

Oral and Written Examinations

Limitations of Statistics

Accuracy: Are the Results What Are Intended to Be Measured?

Where to after Graduation?

Main Areas for Employment of Science Graduates

Internships as a Precursor to Employment

Networking, Joining Associations, Conference Presentations

References

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method, Empiricism, Induction

Karl Popper: Analysis of Early 20th Century Theories

Demarcation: A Criterion to Distinguish between Scienceand Nonscience

Myths as Precursors of Scientific Hypotheses

Exploratory Work Preceding Hypotheses

Growth of Scientific Knowledge

Dangers to Growth: Lack of Motivation for Inquiry, Misplaced Faith in Precision, Authoritarianism

How Scientific Research Can Be Put Off Track Deliberately

How Scientific Research Can Be Put Off Track Unintentionally

References

Attributes Required by Research Scientists

Citations as a Criterion for Research Value

Conceptual Thought Required to Form Hypotheses

Detachment

Perseverance

Ethical Standards—Plagiarism

Publication

Service: Peer Reviewing

Service: Serving on Awards Committees

Grantsmanship

Reference

The Impact of Managerialism

The Managerial Ideology

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Organization (CSIRO) of Australia

Reviews of CSIRO

Effects of McKinsey Review

Freedom of Expression in Science

A False Premise

Performance Criteria for Scientists

Influence of Managerialism on Scientists

The Risks of Corrupt Practices

Coping with Effects of Managerial Stress

References

Leadership in Science

Mentoring

Supervision of Research Students

Qualities Needed to Lead Scientific Research

Servant Leadership

The Inverted Pyramid

The Future

References

Insights from Notable Scientists

Marie Curie (1867–1934)

Charles Darwin (1809–1882)

Albert Einstein (1879–1955)

Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958)

Galileo Galilei (1564–1642)

Dorothy Hodgkin (1910–1994)

Irving Langmuir (1881–1957)

Lise Meitner (1878–1968)

Gregor Mendel (1822–1884)

Louis Pasteur (1822–1895)

Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)

References

Future Challenges for Scientific Research

Two Areas for Change in Direction

Why Are Humans the Only Species to Have Progressed Culturally?

Why Present Funding Procedures for Research Are Unsatisfactory

Stifling of Creativity in Science Can Stunt Future Economic Growth

Suppression of Freedom Causes Stagnation of Knowledge

The Need for a Change in the Working Environment for Research

References

Index

Reviews

"This will be a very important resource for beginning scientists especially so that they can see what the field is like, especially this all important topic of how to build prestige and a track record for excellence."

—John D 'Angelo, Alfred University, New York