While reading research papers and thinking about my hypothesis, I decided to stop for a while. In a previous post, when doing research I suggested we always ask ourselves “Am I looking at all evidence or only what supports my belief” but is not as simple as it sounds. I want to take a moment and reflect on what it means to pursue science, especially neuroscience. If you read my previous posts or just take a look at my website, you can easily “feel” my passion about neuroscience. Is that all it takes to become a scientist: being passionate, curious, creative, imaginative?
I think all those qualities are important, but not enough. All humans have the ability to be creative, and also curious; is part of our nature. However, this doesn’t make us good scientists. Science and research is not something we love, is something we commit to because of love! Same as in relationships, love is not just a feeling. As M. Scott Pack says” Love is judicious praising and judicious criticizing. The word judicious means requiring judgement, and judgement requires more than instinct; it requires thoughtful and often painful decisions”
Sometimes, even with good intentions, we can be biased and fail to see the truth. Therefore, is very important to find a good mentor when you are seeking to pursue science and research. I want you to understand the responsibilities, not to discourage or scare you, but to make you and myself better scientists. The way to make your journey more meaningful and easier is to understand that the TRUTH is what we are after, even if we don’t liked it; even when it doesn’t support our hypothesis. I personally think, there are no failures in science as long as we are committed to the truth and we avoid misconduct. A “failed” experiment today, is a new discovery tomorrow, so be patient and true to yourself, to your science and the people who trust you!
When I talk about the truth, I am not talking about the absolute truth ( I might be wrong, but until this moment I don’t believe an absolute truth exist), but the one at your best knowledge, disciplined and honest research with all the trainings and responsibilities, you (we) have! Let’s build a better growing intellectual environment for aspiring scientists.
Here are the links of my training certificates in “Human Research Subjects” and “Responsible Conduct Research”
https://www.citiprogram.org/verify/?w36b27ea2-63df-4425-bcc6-1dd555620980-41066499
https://www.citiprogram.org/verify/?wce0f4929-d286-4235-9bc0-a643ec3c4a4f-41083246