Re-search

Lets talk about the very first step to know "Research"

Speaking very basically it is "Search of knowledge" 

• a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge

• A movement from known to unknown

Now scientifically it is 

• a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic

• an art of scientific investigation

• systematized effort to gain new knowledge.

If we combine above both definitions,  "It is an art of investigation done in systemic manner to know something which is unknown." 

 We all are intellectually curious to know the answers about whatever going around us, answers of the question of our area of interests and this curiosity helps us to reach what we want to know?

Like SIR ISSAC NEWTON who  was having curiosity to know that "why an apple fall down" and research of GRAVITATIONAL FORCE took place

So the point is " be curious to know the answer of the questions initiate in your brain"

Before questioning you must have very basic knowledge of that subject and for that you have to gain knowledge 

Remember that only an good questioner can be the best Researcher and for being a good questioner you need to know as more as possible about the topic you are questioning

Suppose If you are asking about any drug's pharmacokinect and even don't know "ADME" (Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion )  than its worthless to ask a question 

So always gain knowledge about the area of interest as much as possible and than question to your self 

Seeking for the answer of question will lead to Research

So as far as I know one must gain knowledge about the area of interest and than be good questioner and than finally go for the answer systematically that is research

In other terms after gaining a sufficient knowledge, though knowledge is never sufficient instead i would say a basic knowledge you would be able to question

Question to your self

Question to surroundings

Question to your teacher 

Question about each and everything you don't know

This Question in scientific term is known as a problem 

Like Problems faces by cancer patients after taking drugs as part of its side effect

Problems faced by G6PD deficient people due to lack of genes

and so on

AND AS THE ANSWER OF THIS PROBLEM YOU START WORKING IN SYSTEMIC MANNER AND FIND THE SOLUTION THAT MAY BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, THAT IS RESEARCH

Remember that though the solution for the problem you have find is negative, it will always useful to you as well as others as you would come to know that the way you have selected to find the answer is not right and this will guide others that this way should not be followed

THOMAS ALVA EDISON FAILED 999 TIMES AND SAID THAT HE HAS SEARCHED 999 WAYS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE FOLLOWED FOR FINDING THE ANSWER HE WAS SEARCHING.

So newer worry about the negative results just start gaining knowledge and questioning and finally be curious to find the answer that is research.

HOW TO INITIATE A "RESEARCH" ?

Research is searching something new.

Speaking very basically for research work you need to select the field i.e Molecular Pharmacology, Toxicology, Genetics, Clinical Pharmacology and so on.

For that "choose the field you are interested  in " or  "make the field interesting which you have chosen"

 

Next is finding the system or branch in which you can work batter or in which you think you are having a brief basic knowledge i.e. if you have chosen toxicology as your field of interest than the available branches of your field is drug toxicity studies, combination of drug producing toxic events and many more

The next is finding the topic or i can say a problem or a question on which you are going to work

Finding a problem requires a huge knowledge.

It is easy to find a solution once you have identify the problem.

Like molecular mechanism of any harble plant which is used traditionally for long time and is effective in particular disease too

Read Read and Read

For reading give priority to books and journals first because book will provide you basics and proved information but disadvantage of reading only books is it will not give you any latest information or current trends on the problem or field you are working  so the solution is  reading  articles of journals which will make you aware with current trends

Always remember that a research problem after being solved will generate further new questions

for example Search of  matformine (antidiabitic drug) lead to initiate questions like

can we use this drug in any other disease (answer found yes it can be used in obasity)

what is the mechanism and adverse events of this drug

So what my point is...Read articles which will give you the information about current trends of your field and also it will let you know that how much work is done on the problem you want to solve as well as it will help you to think batter 

 

After identifying the problem you can apply your logic based on your knowledge and review you have done 

Always keep in mind that research should be narrow 

Like you have come to know that "a plant extract is having antiurolithiatic activity" 

now proving its activity through pre-clinical as well as clinical work is surely a research work but there will be lots of questions i.e. a plant extract contains number of phytochemicals,  which phytoconstituent is producing this effect , What would be the mechanism, is there any side effect?

instead of this you just find that "which active constituent is producing its action in urolithiasis" is some what a narrow and focused problem

For finding problem keep questioning to your self as well as others and be curious to know its answer and keep in mind that "A question is never silly though the answer could be"

One more thing to be remembered here  is that in  research you have to give justification on each and everything you select

what you have selected ? why you have selected ?

means every "why" must have justification

 

"BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN SMALL LABS "

So Start your work today,choose your field of interest, find the problem and apply your logic  

All the best