Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
YouTube
WeChat
x
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • English
    • 简体中文
Qualities of Every Good Researcher
  • Research Process

The Top 5 Qualities of Every Good Researcher

  • 3 minute read
  • 31.9K views
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0

Table of Contents

  • The characteristics of a good researcher:
    • 1. Curiosity
    • 2. Analytical ability and foresight
    • 3. Determination
    • 4. Collaboration
    • 5. Communication

What makes a good researcher? Is it some undefinable, innate genius, or is it something that we can practice and build upon? If it was just the former, then there would be far fewer innovations in the history of humankind than there have been. A careful look at researchers through the ages reveals that they all have certain attributes in common that have helped contribute to their success.

The characteristics of a good researcher:

1. Curiosity

They ask questions. An endless thirst for knowledge is what sets the best of the best apart from the others. Good researchers constantly strive to learn more, not just about their own field, but about other fields as well. The world around us is fascinating, be it the physics behind the way light refracts, or the anthropological constructions of our society. A good researcher keeps exploring the world and keeps searching for answers.

2. Analytical ability and foresight

They look for connections. Information is useless without interpretation. What drives research forward is finding meaning in our observations and data. Good researchers evaluate data from every angle and search for patterns. They explore cause and effect and untangle the tricky web that interconnects everyday phenomena. And then take it one step further to ask, ‘What is the bigger picture? How will the research develop in the future?’

3. Determination

They try, try, and try again. Research can be a frustrating experience. Experiments may not pan out how we expect them to. Even worse, sometimes experiments may run smoothly until they are 95% complete before failing. What sets an average researcher apart from a truly good one? The truly good researcher perseveres. They accept this disappointment, learn from the failure, reevaluate their experiment, and keep moving forward.

4. Collaboration

Teamwork makes the dream work. Contrary to the common perception of the solitary genius in their lab, research is an extremely collaborative process. There is simply too much to do for just one person to do it all. Moreover, research is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary. It is impossible for just one person to have expertise in all these fields. In general, research is conducted in teams, with each researcher having their individual roles and responsibilities. Being able to coordinate, communicate, and get along with team members is a major factor that can contribute to one’s success as a researcher.

5. Communication

They get their message across. Communication skills are an essential asset for every researcher. Not only do they have to communicate with their team members, but they also have to communicate with co-authors, journals, publishers, and funders. Whether it is writing a crisp and effective abstract, presenting at a conference, or writing a persuasive grant proposal to secure research funding, communication appears everywhere in a researcher’s life. The message in the old adage, ‘If a tree falls in the forest, but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?’ applies to research too. A discovery could be groundbreaking, but what is the use if the researcher can’t communicate this discovery to the rest of the world?

These are just a few of the skills required by researchers to make it to the top of their field. Other attributes like creativity and time management are also worth mentioning.
Nevertheless, having one or more of these top five characteristics will make the research process smoother for you and increase the chances of positive results. Set yourself up for success by building up these skills, focusing on excellence, and asking for help when you need it. Elsevier Author Services is here to aid you at every step of the research journey. From translation services by experts in the field, to preparing your manuscript for publication, to helping you submit the best possible grant proposal, you can trust us to guide you in your journey to doing great research.

 

Total
0
Shares
Post 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Send 0
Message 0
Previous Article
what-background-study-how-to-write
  • Manuscript Preparation

What is the Background of a Study and How Should it be Written?

View Post
Next Article
Writing an Effective Cover Letter for Manuscript Resubmission
  • Publication Process

Writing an Effective Cover Letter for Manuscript Resubmission

View Post
You May Also Like
Why is data validation important in research
View Post
  • Research Process

Why is data validation important in research?

Writing a good review article
View Post
  • Research Process

Writing a good review article

Scholarly Sources What are They and Where can You Find Them
View Post
  • Research Process

Scholarly Sources: What are They and Where can You Find Them?

Research Designs Types and Differences
View Post
  • Research Process

Research Designs: Types and Differences

what-reviewers-look-grant-proposal
View Post
  • Research Process

What do reviewers look for in a grant proposal?

informed-consent-research
View Post
  • Research Process

Informed Consent – Making Research Conscientious

What is a Problem Statement
View Post
  • Research Process

What is a Problem Statement? [with examples]

How to Write a Research Question
View Post
  • Research Process

How to Write a Research Question

  • Systematic review vs meta-analysis

    Systematic Review VS Meta-Analysis

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • Predatory Journal Checklist

    What is a Predatory Journal: Checklist

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • Why is data validation important in research

    Why is data validation important in research?

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • What are Implications in Research

    What are Implications in Research?

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?

    What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
More Posts
  • how to write the results section of a research paper
    How to write the results section of a research paper
    • 3 minute read
  • Writing a good review article
    Writing a good review article
    • 3 minute read
  • Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper
    Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper
    • 3 minute read
  • Importance of Using Strategic Keywords in Research Papers
    The Importance of Using Strategic Keywords in Research Papers
    • 4 minute read
  • Scholarly Sources What are They and Where can You Find Them
    Scholarly Sources: What are They and Where can You Find Them?
    • 3 minute read
  • Research Designs Types and Differences
    Research Designs: Types and Differences
    • 3 minute read
Price Calculator
Type in wordcount for Standard
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 12,000 words.
Upload
Learn more about
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • News
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Elsevier wordmark
Terms & Conditions

Cookies are used by this site. To decline or learn more, visit our Cookies page.

RELX Wordmark

Input your search keywords and press Enter.