As researchers, ideas are arguably our most valuable form of
currency, and generating new ideas is a requirement for becoming an independent
scientist. However, relatively few resources are available to offer guidance on
this process. Early in my career, I
thought that generating ideas was a magical process where I had to
wait for inspiration to come to me. However, over time I’ve come to appreciate
that it really can be a systematic and reliable practice. In this series of blog posts, I’ll outline
how to generate ideas, how to vet and refine those ideas, and how to manage all
of the thoughts and information that you gather along the way. This month, it
seems only right to start at the beginning with the question: Where do research
ideas come from?
Nothing is new. A
key misconception in generating research ideas is that you need to create
something entirely new out of nothing.
But, the fact is that almost nothing in the realm of research ideas is
completely new. Even in the rare
instances that scientists uncover something truly novel or unexpected, it is
usually because they were looking for something else based on existing
knowledge. Recognizing this frees us up to think about how we can build
compelling ideas by embracing the foundation of current knowledge or
technology. In my view, there are four different
approaches for this construction process:
- Apply: Can I use an existing technology or approach to address a different unsolved problem or unmet need in science?
- Elaborate: Is there something important that this technology can’t do? Can I think of a different approach that could fill that gap?
- Connect: Is there a connection or potential synergism between these technologies, theories, or ideas that nobody has realized yet?
- Explore: Is there something important that we don’t yet know or understand? Is there a way to gain the missing knowledge? What could we do once we have that knowledge?
Every moment is an
opportunity for inspiration. As I mentioned above, a second key
misconception that I used to struggle with is the idea that I had to carve out
“idea generation time” and then sit and wait passively for inspiration to
strike (or not strike) me. While it is a great practice to have dedicated
“thinking time” set aside in your schedule, most ideas strike when we are
actively doing something. This goes hand
in hand with the realization that nothing is new. If most ideas are going to build upon the
foundation of existing knowledge or technology, then ideas are most likely to
bubble up when you are actively engaged with the world around you. The great
news about this is that almost all parts of your day can be turned into “idea
generation time.” A few of my favorite
opportunities for inspiration have included:
- reading the literature
- listening to seminars or conference talks
- working in lab
- talking with colleagues
- talking with non-scientists
- everyday life activities – exercise, shopping, driving
- sleeping…?
If you are new to the process of generating research ideas,
I hope that this framework does a bit to demystify the process and get you
started. Multiplying the diversity of types of ideas with the numerous
opportunities for inspiration, it becomes clear that even in an average day,
you can generate a lot of ideas! That is encouraging, but can also feel
overwhelming. Next month, we’ll discuss why this high quantity is necessary for
achieving high quality with your research ideas, and how to confront the
challenges that it can pose.
