Thread by @dsquintana

Here are ten things that I HAVE NOT changed my mind about in the past few years of being a scientist (thanks to @mareberl for the suggestion)

1. Meta-analysis is a useful means of synthesizing research

Meta-analysis cops a lot of flak. But like ANY statistical tool, meta-analysis needs to be correctly applied. It still sits on top of the evidence pyramid osf.io/yq59d/

2. Presentation skills are undervalued

It’s likely that one day your chances of landing a job/grant will ride on a presentation, so take EVERY OPPORTUNITY to practice. Your research won’t “speak for itself”, no matter how good it is.

3. Learn one stats technique that has cross-discipline applicability and get REALLY good at it

Research topics come and go, but hypothesis testing and parameter estimation will ALWAYS be in fashion. This is a great investment of your time.

4. Reading up on the literature feels like time wasted that could be spent writing, but this actually *helps* your writing

I always “read myself” out of writing ruts. There’s no such thing as writer’s block, only a lack of information.

5. When you don’t take care of your health, your work suffers

For me, my best days of writing start in the gym 🏋️‍♂️ The first thing I ask myself after a few flat days of writing is whether I’ve been exercising. There answer is usually no.

6. Don’t think months in advance, think years

Academic careers are like container ships—it takes a LONG time to course correct. Don’t wait until the last 6 months of a position to start looking for your next one. Pick your goal, then reverse-engineer your path to get there.

7. Don’t pull long hours in the lab for the sake of pulling long hours

Don’t be a science martyr, just get the job done. BEFORE you apply to a new lab, find out about the research culture from other students in the lab—does the PI expect lab members to pull crazy hours?

8. Don’t underestimate ‘coffee machine’ conversations

I’ve solved SO many stats/research design problems just from casual chats at the lab coffee machine. Share your problems, don’t pretend you have it all figured out.

9. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room

Being the big fish sure feels nice, but you’re not going to grow in a small pond. Whenever I feel like Chemistry Dog (which happens a lot), I remind myself I’m in the right room.

10. You don’t need to be a dickhead to succeed in academia

I know there are many ‘successful’ dickheads out there, but it’s not necessary. We’re all smart, so stand out by being nice.