RESOURCES

Research advice to new students

Welcome to the Li Lab! 🎉


As you embark on your research journey, my goal is to help you excel and navigate common pitfalls. To achieve this, I’d like to share my thoughts on the core research abilities that will be beneficial throughout your studies in our lab and beyond:

1. Reading literature

2. Generating innovative ideas 

3. Designing experiments 

4. Analyzing data

5. Writing a compelling paper

6. Submitting the paper and doing revisions

7. Presenting your work


1. Reading Literature

Reading literature is the foundation of any successful research project. This stage requires the ability to learn quickly and summarize effectively. Begin by immersing yourself in good review articles (feel free to reach out to me or your senior peers if you need recommendations on which papers to start with 😎), which provide a broad overview of new knowledge in your field. These sources will help you understand the current state of research and identify key themes and trends.


As you progress, engage critically with these texts. Instead of passively reading, question the motivations behind the research, the technical contributions made, and the results obtained. Practice summarizing each paper in three sentences: what motivated the research and what new contributions it made. This exercise will sharpen your ability to distill complex information into its essence. 


Gradually narrow your focus to specific and impactful research problems that pique your interest. This process will help you identify gaps in the existing literature where you can make a meaningful contribution. Remember, the goal is not just to understand what has been done but to identify what remains and is worth exploring.


2. Generating Innovative Ideas 

Once you’re familiar with the literature, it’s time to generate your own ideas. This stage requires summarization, reflection, and sensitivity. Summarization involves identifying the similarities, advantages, and disadvantages of existing methods.


Then reflect on how different papers relate to each other: Who improved upon whom? Who supplemented whose work? What is the fundamental contribution of each piece? Does it introduce new knowledge or leverage existing technologies for new applications? How could you redesign this research to publish it in a better journal? Understanding these relationships will give you a clearer picture of the research landscape.


Sensitivity to gaps and deficiencies in existing research is the starting point of innovation. Sometimes, this sensitivity is a matter of research intuition or talent, but more often, it’s a skill that develops with experience. The more papers you read and understand, the more attuned you become to spotting weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. I also encourage you to discuss your ideas with others, especially those from different fields, as this can provide fresh perspectives and spark new insights.


3. Designing Experiments 

With a promising idea in hand, it’s time to design experiments. This stage requires strategic thinking and planning. Start by aligning your experimental design with your idea, motivation, and contribution. Choose appropriate comparative experiments and data that will help you test your hypothesis effectively.


When designing experiments, ensure that your results can be compared with the right benchmarks. It’s not enough for your results to be impressive in isolation; they must highlight your contributions effectively. Think of your experimental design as a strategic plan that combines various elements to showcase your work’s novelty and impact.


Consider the entire experimental process from start to finish. What resources will you need? What potential obstacles might you encounter? How will you measure success? By thinking through these questions in advance, you can design experiments that are robust, efficient, and informative.


4. Analyzing Data

Critical analysis is essential at this stage. Once you have your experimental results, evaluate them thoroughly. Does the result validate your hypothesis? Is the result strong enough to surpass the benchmarks in the literature or impress future reviewers? When results are not as expected, don’t panic—it’s not the end of the world. Understanding the reasons behind unexpected results can often lead to valuable insights and new directions for your research.


If a method doesn’t work and isn’t essential from a big-picture perspective, be decisive in skipping it and exploring new avenues. This ability to pivot is crucial in research. Sometimes, letting go of an idea is a wise way to make room for a better one. Keep an open mind and be willing to adapt based on what the data reveals.


5. Writing a Compelling Paper

With solid data in hand, it’s time to communicate your findings effectively by writing a compelling paper, which requires logical thinking and clear communication. Develop a strong narrative that seamlessly connects the motivation, methods, results, discussion, and contributions into a coherent and engaging story.


Start by outlining your paper. Clearly state the motivation behind your research, the methods you used, the results you obtained, and the significance of these results. Each section should flow logically into the next, creating a cohesive and persuasive argument for your work.


Storytelling is particularly important for novel ideas. Your paper should not just present data but also convey the significance and potential impact of your research. Aim to make your paper both informative and engaging, capturing the reader’s interest while clearly communicating your findings.


6. Submitting the Paper and Doing Revisions

Beyond impact factors, study the journal’s acceptance styles and preferences to find the best fit for your paper. Look for journals that have published similar work and whose audience will be interested in your findings. Take the time to read the submission guidelines and understand the journal’s requirements. Tailor your submission to meet these guidelines, increasing the likelihood of acceptance. This strategic approach ensures that your work reaches the right audience and has the maximum impact.


Understanding what the reviewer is truly asking is critical. When you receive feedback, take the time to analyze it carefully. Address the reviewer’s comments thoughtfully, supplement experiments if needed, perform necessary statistical analyses, and revise your article accordingly. Sometimes, reviewers may misunderstand certain aspects of your work. In such cases, be prepared to argue your points clearly and logically. Provide additional evidence or clarification to support your arguments. This iterative process enhances the quality of your research and strengthens your arguments.

 

7. Presenting Your Work

Once your paper is accepted, effective presentation and communication skills can help disseminate your findings and inspire others. Whether you’re speaking at a conference, presenting to a small group, or discussing your work informally, being able to deliver your findings clearly and concisely is crucial. Our group meetings and student seminars provide good opportunities for you to practice. 


Beyond these core research abilities, some general qualities including accepting failure, persevering before achieving success, maintaining a positive outlook, and balancing research with life will sustain you through the challenges of this research journey. 


Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further guidance. I'm here to support you every step of the way.


Cheers,

Bowen

Writing a High-Impact Paper

Summarized Notes from Nature Masterclasses

Key Elements of a High-Impact Paper: 

🏅Broad Impact:

🏅Significant Impact:


Key Sections of Your Paper:

😬 A strong paper not only presents great research but also tells a clear, engaging story.


Abstract Formula

1. Introduction and Context (Why did you do the work?) 

🤓 Clearly state the gap in knowledge or the practical problem your work addresses. 

Examples: 

“We don’t know the reason for A.” 

“B is a practical problem, and a solution is needed.” 

“C occurs frequently, but the underlying cause remains unclear.” 


2. Scientific Question (What did you aim to answer?) 

🤓 Specify the key research question or hypothesis your study addresses. 

Example: 

“We aimed to answer D, which is critical for understanding [subject].” 


3. Methods (How did you do it?) 

🤓 Briefly describe the key methods or approaches used to answer the research question. 

Examples: 

“We measured/calculated/analyzed X.” 

“We used method Y to address the problem.” 


4. Findings (What did you show?) 

🤓 Summarize your key findings in a clear and concise manner. 

Example: 

“We found that X is [describe the main finding].” 


5. Implications and Conclusions (What does this mean?) 

🤓 Highlight the significance of your findings in the broader scientific or practical context. 

Examples: 

“This improves the understanding of A.” 

“This provides a solution for B.” 

“This could help explain C and offers new insights into the problem.”


Introduction Formula

Provide background information relevant to your audience, setting the stage for the importance of your work.

Gradually lead readers towards the gap in current knowledge and clearly state the aim of your study.

Provide a brief summary of the key findings or contributions of your work.


3. Results Section


5. Discussion