Questions tagged [science]
This tag is for questions on academia specifically applicable to students, researchers, and faculty in scientific disciplines.
173
questions
3
votes
1answer
165 views
MSc thesis lacking content because of my mistake
In the final month of work before writing the thesis I found a bug in something I did a couple months before. I talked to my supervisor and we checked together that indeed something was off. I took ...
1
vote
2answers
371 views
Is it possible to follow notations/terminologies from a previously published article in a new paper without re-explaining them (in Computer Science)?
As I understood correctly, in the field of computer science, there is no "standard notation" in scientific publications for explaining various aspects of a computer system. Even though in ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
Should I switch majors? How will this look on grad school application?
At the school I study at there are several majors for life sciences. I am currently in a program called Life science - origin of diseases specialization. This program is very similar to the general ...
15
votes
10answers
7k views
Is this psychological abuse? Should I switch supervisors?
I am in the third year of my four year PhD, which is funded by the department. My supervisor a week and a half ago called a meeting with me, after an email complaining about sending off an updated ...
1
vote
4answers
312 views
Is using synthetic datasets in sciences the same as using fake data? [closed]
Sometimes, there are good reasons to use synthetic data in research. In my case I am using data from Synthea, a program that simulated patient data including medications, names and addresses. I know ...
0
votes
1answer
113 views
Can we include a class or mathematical representation of a class coded in Python on a research paper/case study in field of energy [closed]
I'm writing a paper based on energy optimisation by creating discharge profile based on demand. So i wrote an algo which (not the most efficient) but works great. The problem is the algorithm is based ...
-1
votes
2answers
313 views
Publication costs in an obscure journal how to fund? [closed]
I am long retired (2008) In the field of cardiology I am a pariah, there is an embargo on my publishing in major journals. I have therefore been forced to go to obscure journals where the referees are ...
4
votes
1answer
359 views
What does the “C” mean in “Mater. Sci. Eng. C”
ISO4 standard naming for the "Material Science" field is as follows:
Mater. Sci. Eng. C
Material Science & Engineering: C
What does the C mean?
79
votes
7answers
14k views
Can I be a good scientist if I only work in working hours? [duplicate]
I am doing postdoc in developmental biology. Recently I started to leave work at the lab, meaning that I don't work at home anymore. Before I spent many hours at night (at home) analyzing my data; now ...
3
votes
2answers
197 views
Will reference letters from a researcher who does not have a Ph.D be valid?
I'm applying to Ph.D. programs in the biomedical field in the US but I have a question regarding reference letters:
Can I request a reference letter from a co-worker that has no Ph.D. (instead has ...
1
vote
0answers
51 views
Is it okay to cite a supplemental attachment when referencing a previously published technique or method? (advanced materials and surface science)
The thorough answer to Roadmap and possible pitfalls for a first-time software author to publish a paper on a Python package? covers the issue nicely, and it's not yet clear if in my case this paper ...
1
vote
2answers
135 views
Is it possible to create a bachelors programme that focuses on being able to read any/most scientific article?
I was thinking about whether it would be possible to create a 3/4 year bachelors programme which goal is to teach the student to be able to read any/most scientific article? If so, do you think this ...
2
votes
1answer
109 views
How important is it to cite the earliest report of something?
As a general rule I try to put in some due diligence to cite the authors who first provided strong evidence of something that I'm referencing, even if I wasn't aware of their work before I started ...
2
votes
2answers
195 views
Where do all the research paper annotations go?
Today, an increasing number of research papers are publicly available. At the same time, a community of researchers and students are reading those materials. We are highlighting, commenting, finding ...
2
votes
2answers
140 views
Can we add co author later? [duplicate]
Me and my friends did a project during final semester. It got accepted for publication. Later I came to abroad for studies. My friends didn’t add my name as a co author.I have given my input and it’s ...
8
votes
5answers
555 views
How do I publish the work of my elderly father, a “fringe” scientist? [duplicate]
I am trying to figure out the best way to publish my elderly father's life work. He says he would be considered a "fringe" scientist or an independent researcher. Should we self-publish? The ...
1
vote
2answers
166 views
What is the formal process for a theory to get accepted by the science community? [duplicate]
Question description so that anyone can evaluate and answer accordingly
Since last many years, I have self-studied a subject that is Theoretical Physics - Cosmology, Time and Space. I have never got ...
2
votes
1answer
236 views
Reputational risk by association
A few years ago, while still an undergraduate student, I published a paper with one of my professors, who is fairly respected in his field (respiratory medicine). Several years have passed and I am no ...
4
votes
2answers
239 views
How can I convince my supervisor that I have enough data to support my findings?
I am a final-year Ph.D. candidate in a physics-oriented field. Over the course of my program, I have developed a postulate which leads to some contradictions with some of the tenets of my field, and I ...
3
votes
0answers
87 views
How to gain research experience after undergrad?
After graduating with B.Sc Computer Science last year, I got interested in compilers and kernel. I started reading research papers and finally decided to pursue masters, but most programs favour ...
3
votes
2answers
151 views
Should I reject a specific historic fact and not include it in my work? Advice needed on reliability of source
I'm working on a chemistry paper about the Belousov-Zhabotinsky-reaction (a chemical oscillator).
I included some information about the history of that oscillation reaction, in particular about ...
25
votes
2answers
3k views
Is there a scientific field that focuses exclusively on scientific instrumentation research?
I would like to know if there is any scientific field that focuses exclusively on scientific instrumentation research? I know that each field (and sub-field) has its own instrumentation and apparatus, ...
3
votes
0answers
111 views
Reputable alternatives to The Conversation for science communication? [closed]
What are some popular press alternatives to The Conversation that are perhaps more reputable than Medium or HuffPost that accept pitches from academics communicating their research for a general ...
0
votes
4answers
347 views
What advantage is there to getting a PhD in the life sciences when you can do research with only an MD?
During an interview recently Dr. Fauci, the top doctor in the US, called himself "a scientist, and a physician". It appears that he only has an MD, but is an immunologist and a highly cited researcher....
1
vote
5answers
76 views
What are the subjects that one must learn while an undergraduate to pursue an academic career in Biophysics? [closed]
I am an undergraduate student pursuing a B.Sc(Hons.) degree in Physics. I want to pursue an academic career in Biophysics. So, I wanted to know which subjects are required for higher studies in ...
2
votes
2answers
181 views
What is an academic and formal way to define variables?
I'm currently writing my IB Extended Essay in physics. I wonder how I can define variables in a formal way. I originally used a triple bar (e.g. "F≡buoyant force"). However, I'm not sure if this is ...
5
votes
4answers
899 views
Is it harder for academics to make fundamental discoveries than in the past? [closed]
In present day academia, it seems much harder to make foundational breakthroughs than it was in the past. Most work now synthesizes previously discovered results to study something extremely specific. ...
34
votes
7answers
13k views
Why do breakthroughs in science and research that have enormous (and obvious) potential often not (or barely) go beyond the lab?
Sometimes advances are made in science research that have enormous and very easily visible potential. There are two examples that I have seen recently.
One example is this newly engineered ...
0
votes
3answers
452 views
HiWi payment in Germany for student with international bachelor's [closed]
I am working at a German research institute as a HiWi.
HiWi jobs pay hourly wages based on the education level of the employee.
For instance there is a "without bachelors" and "with bachelors" wage.
...
0
votes
2answers
115 views
Reporting results that are significant even with correction, without losing my unadjusted ones?
I have a study in which I have several promising variables, all concurring with previous literature and significant at alpha=0.05.
However, I have this one variable that is of special interest and ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Should I publish or present in academic conferences before doing science outreach?
I have just finished fieldwork and the media and the community I’ve been working with want me to give a talk on preliminary results. Should I first present data to colleagues?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Are physics and natural sciences considered liberal arts?
I was surprised to see the description given for "liberal arts education" in Wikipedia as follows:
Liberal arts today consists of four types of areas: the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, ...
0
votes
2answers
69 views
What is the difference in using terms like a model, a framework, an approach, a method, a scheme in scientific research?
in scientific research, I get confused in using terms
like a model, a framework, an approach, a Method and a scheme so what is the difference between them?
when I should use each of them to express my ...
4
votes
2answers
514 views
If I take a PhD from a not so well standing university, will I be less respected in science?
Let me give you additional context on the question.
I am a master student in Computer Science (hopefully graduating this year). I want to do a PhD later on (after working in the industry for a bit). ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How to start my own research?
I am currently a researcher (a postdoc) in a research group at a scientific institute. I obtained my Ph.D. degree 2 years ago and right away I got employed at this institute and started as a postdoc. ...
2
votes
3answers
185 views
How do I make submitting letters of recommendation to multiple institutions easier for my supervisors?
I presently work for a biotech company in biotech manufacturing with some other duties (QA/starting a research project) thrown in. I graduated with my bachelors degree in 2010 and am 31 now, and now ...
17
votes
1answer
6k views
Another student has been assigned the same MSc thesis as mine (and already defended)
I am in a dilemma as to how to approach this issue. Basically, myself and another student were assigned the same thesis topic. Only difference is, I have been doing it part time and she completed her ...
0
votes
3answers
406 views
Mentioning possible PhD principal investigators in graduate application w/o being asked to do so?
My title is pretty self-explanatory, but I was wondering how it looks to mention specific researchers to work with in graduate school via my personal statement/s. I'm applying to PhD programs in ...
1
vote
1answer
256 views
Academic postdoc: Interview process time insights
I had an informal meeting via Skype for a postdoc position that I am highly interested in, speaking of which, I was invited for a formal interview soon after. I was asked to give a talk to the lab (...
4
votes
1answer
278 views
Preparing two PhD simultaneously?
I was enrolled in a PhD at the Faculty of Science, and broke up "temporarily" after 4 years due to a horrible Professor, and restarted a new PhD at the Faculty of Engineering.
For the 1st university, ...
0
votes
1answer
109 views
What is the standard scientific conference poster size and quality? [duplicate]
What is an ideal poster size for scientific conference?
Should it be printed on paper or flex or photo paper?
10
votes
2answers
680 views
As a post-doc, should I pursue incremental research or revolutionary research?
I've recently finished my PhD (the field almost doesn't matter, but applied mathematics if it helps), and begun a 3 year grant-funded postdoc with a heavy but very flexible research emphasis, in the ...
0
votes
2answers
429 views
Conjunctive adverbs in academic writing
As scientists, researchers and scholars, how do you feel when you read a scientific document that contains a lot of conjunctive adverbs, like however, in addition, etc?
Does it sound non-scientific ...
0
votes
1answer
189 views
Can scientists be categorized according to temperament and working style? [closed]
I'm doing a bit of informal research about scientists. I would like to know if scientists, at least in the hard sciences, can be categorized according to their working style. And if so, what are some ...
3
votes
2answers
177 views
How important is the orthographic/typographic rigor? [closed]
Science and Orthographic/Typographical Errors
Some people appreciate the attention to have their orthographic/typographical errors corrected/pointed out.
Others find it uncool to just point formal ...
1
vote
0answers
257 views
minor errors in published paper [duplicate]
I am inexperienced in publishing papers in scientific journals. I was going over recently published paper of mine and found that I accidentally reported mean with standard deviation when I meant to ...
-1
votes
1answer
149 views
How to denote remainder in a paper in science? [closed]
I want to write a result in a scientific paper that contains the remainder of X (a real number) divided by R (another real number), i.e. X - [X/R]R, where [X/R] is the floor function. Is there an ...
7
votes
1answer
245 views
How to communicate realistic expectations for science faculty research to administration
I teach at a small US liberal arts college with no graduate students. There is no support for research, and the teaching load is 4-6 courses per year.
A colleague was recently denied promotion to ...
1
vote
0answers
64 views
Which kinds of academic revolutions has philosophy of science indentified so far and when?
Recently, I had an interdisciplinary discussion with some friends about Industry 4.0, internet of things,...which brought up the question, which kind of academic revolutions apart from industrial ...
63
votes
6answers
13k views
Our research is being ignored by other research groups
I am doing a PhD in molecular biology where we conduct research on human skin and skin diseases. Our group (EU based) has been in a discussion with another research group from the USA, where we can ...
