Chapter 5

Question 1

What should new researchers do early on in the research process?

Answer 1

Assemble a team of collaborators and mentors.

Question 2

The typical paper has how many coauthors?

Answer 2

4

Question 3

Who heads most research projects?

Answer 3

The Lead researcher

Question 4

What is a lead researcher?

Answer 4

The researcher who will do the majority of the work.

Question 5

What is a senior researcher?

Answer 5

An experienced researcher who guides the work of a newer investigator.

Question 6

What are the jobs of the team of collaborators?

Answer 6

They help ensure that the project is

1) Scientifically valid
2) Ethical and culturally appropriate
3) Time and cost efficient

Question 7

For students, the first step is:

Answer 7

Identifying a professor or other experienced researcher to serve as a mentor.

Question 8

For early career professionals, the first step is:

Answer 8

Identifying one or more senior colleagues that may be willing to serve as formal or informal mentors.

Question 9

What do mentors do?

Answer 9

They can help the lead author identify and connect with other potential collaborators, such as experts in specific fields.

Question 10

For international research projects, there should be:

Answer 10

At least one local researcher at the study site who should be a coinvestigator involved in every step of the research process.

Question 11

The lead author should have a conversation with all potential contributors about:

Answer 11

1) The amount of time they can dedicate to the project

2) Their expectations regarding compensation and authorship

Question 12

The individuals who contribute in a meaningful way but do not earn coauthorship instead get:

Answer 12

Thanked in the acknowledgements sections. (Ask for permission to thank by name).

Question 13

If the individual doesnt have a choice about who will supervise, he maybe benefit from:

Answer 13

Seeking out a team of several mentors who can provide supplemental guidance and advice during the project.

Question 14

If the supplemental mentors earn coauthorship, who must approve it first?

Answer 14

The assigned primary supervisor BEFORE involving them in the project.

Question 15

What is research mentorship?

Answer 15

Its is a formal or informal relationship in which an experienced mentor offers professional development advice and guidance to a less experienced mentee.

Question 16

What is most important when seeking research mentorship?

Answer 16

Finding mentors who are a good match to the needs and personality of the mentee.

Question 17

How can new investigators identify potential advisors?

Answer 17

1) Asking colleagues and other people for people who are a good match.
2) Searching up profiles of researchers to see who is actively conducting and publishing researches on relevant topics.
3) Emailing the individuals identified as possible mentors to share a CV and requesting an in-person meeting to discuss collabs.

Question 18

True or false:

All contacted mentors will respond and all in-person meetings guarantee a mentor-mentee relationship.

Answer 18

False; not all will respond and not all conversations will lead to that relationship.

Question 19

True or false;

An invitation to meet is not an agreement to serve as a mentor.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Although not all conversations will lead to a mentor-mentee relationship, the researcher will still benefit. Why?

Answer 20

Because all conversations have the possibility of pointing the researcher to useful resources, like contact information of other individuals.

Question 21

A new investigator should not agree to enter a mentor-mentee relationship until after understanding these key matters:

Answer 21

1) The mentor’s time availability
2) The mentor’s perferred frequency and style of communication
3) The roles and responsibilities the mentor agrees to take on
4) The resources the mentor agrees to provide (funding, access to equipment, etc.)
5) The expectations the mentor has of the mentee.

Question 22

Research supervisors appreciate when mentees:

Answer 22

1) Communicate often
2) Ask questions
3) Complete assigned tasks satisfactorily and on time
4) Are honest about what they have done and what they plan to do
5) Maintain meticulous research records
6) Express gratitude for the contributions of the supervisor

Question 23

No one single researcher or team can provide all the mentorship a new researcher requires. Therefore, researchers hoping to establish long term benefits should:

Answer 23

1) Participate in journal clubs that read and discuss research articles
2) Become active in professional organizations that host research related activities
3) Attend and present at conferences and use this time to network
4) Enroll in training programs