Being a Researcher

More about the book

This book delves into research from the perspective of researchers, addressing the motivations for engaging in research, the methods to adopt, daily operational practices, responsibilities, societal engagement, and ethical dilemmas faced in research. It aims to provide essential insights for students entering academic or industrial research, helping them avoid the pitfalls of learning through personal experience and mistakes. The narrative is philosophical and anecdotal, blending factual information with widely accepted knowledge about research methods while distinguishing between objective data and subjective considerations. While the content pertains to scientific research broadly, it acknowledges the variations in research cultures across different fields. The author's nearly 50 years of experience teaching graduate courses and lecturing at prestigious institutions, along with extensive academic research in informatics, informs the book's insights. It primarily targets students contemplating research careers, those currently in doctoral programs, and junior postdoctoral researchers, while also appealing to senior researchers engaged in mentoring roles.