Attributes of researcher: Soft Skills in Clinical Research

1Copyright © 2014 Well Woman Clinic. All rights reserved.

Attributes of Effective Researcher

Dr Nupur GuptaDirector, Well Woman Clinic

Consultant & Unit HeadDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Paras Hospital, Gurgaon


“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the

unreasonable man persists to adapt the world to himself.

Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable.”

George Bernard Shaw


What is Research? Research is the continuous discovery & exploration of the unknown, an

investigation of new facts leading to the discovery of new ideas, new

methods or improvement.

Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena, which includes

collection, presentation, analysis & interpretation of facts that link man’s

speculations with reality.

Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after thorough

study and analysis of the situational factors.


Objectives of Research

To seek new knowledge and answer the question

Provide useful information in the form of verifiable data

To advance human knowledge and satisfy curiosity


Characteristics of a ResearcherIntellectual curiosity

Healthy criticism

Intellectual Honesty


Qualities of A Researcher R – research oriented

E – efficient

S – scientific

E – effective

A – analytic

R – responsive

C – creative

H – honest


To be a good researcher one certainly needs…1. An analytical mind

Need of constant analysis of variety of factors. Urge to get the answers of different questions

Why does the client ultimately want to do this research?

What is the appropriate methodology?

When should this research take place?

What are the appropriate questions to ask and how?

Why did the respondent say that?

What are the findings telling us?

Why are they telling us that?


To be a good researcher one certainly needs…2. A people person

- important to work with professionals & consultants in friendly environment

- to get the best out of interview / focus group participants

3. The ability to stay calm

Sometimes stressful with pressing deadlines or problems with a data set

In such situations need to keep focused and think logically – there will always

be an end point, even if it doesn’t feel like it!”

4. Intelligence

Research requires critical analysis but most of all common sense


To be a good researcher one certainly needs…5. Curiosity

“You may have the necessary intelligence but if you are not curious

enough then you won’t be passionate about delving deeper to

unearth more insight

6. Quick thinker

“Things don’t always go to plan so you need to be able to think fast”


To be a good researcher one certainly needs…

7. Commitment

“It’s a tough job – the hours can be long, the deadlines short”

8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

9. Sympathetic

“Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents’

moans and groans is always a good skill to have!”


To be a good researcher one certainly needs…

10. Systematic

Check, check and check again

“Attention to detail - the ability to ensure that data is accurately

presented and reported”


Understand Stats and Team Workno need to be a statistician,

aware of basic mathematical & statistical principles

to appreciate and interpret results

Considering that modern research usually requires the contribution of more

than one person, team spirit and realising that each protocol has to be

placed on a cooperative basis is essential for reaching an optimal and

meaningful outcome.


There is a researcher within all of us just waiting to be let loose…

Multitude,

Competent,

Knowledgeable &

Skillful

QUALITIES of RESEARCHER


Dynamic thinking

Open-minded

adopt a critical way of thinking

Hard working, diligent, focused and devoted to specific field of

interest

QUALITIES of RESEARCHER………………


Notable attributes of people who tread the

path towards discovery:

1. A good researcher manifests thirst for new information.

Ready to accept new things.

Ready to explores new grounds.

Adopts the philosophy of “thinking beyond the box“,

Innovative.

2. A good researcher has a keen sense of things around him.

Has an observant attitude.

http://simplyeducate.me/2013/05/21/thinking-beyond-vs-outside-the-box/


Cont.

3. A good researcher likes to reflect or think about the things he

encounters.

Knowledge, easily reflects through their work & experience

Have more creative ideas

4. A good researcher must be intelligent enough to express his ideas.

Skilled in expressing ideas

Good in communication


CONT…

5. A good researcher applies a systematic approach in assessing

situations.

In built attitude of systematic and objective thinking

Moreover logical

Easily analyze things & meaning

Ability to break down a complex situation into manageable bits


Excellent Researcher

One has to possess a certain gift which can neither be taught nor learned, but is rather inherent

There are innate qualities that researchers must possess in order to succeed in this challenging task which requires a lot of imagination and perseverance.

Remember there is a researcher within us. It is just waiting to be unleashed.


Suggested reading

Characteristics of the Good Researcher: Innate Talent or Acquired Skills? CHRISTODOULOS I. STEFANADIS 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, HippokrationHospital, Athens, Greece, Hellenic J Cardiol 47: 52-53, 2006

J Invest Surg. 2012 Aug;25(4):201-2. doi: 10.3109/08941939.2012.701543.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22853811

Attributes of researcher: Soft Skills in Clinical Research

Healthcare

Transcript of Attributes of researcher: Soft Skills in Clinical Research