lives. It's time to hear from the Editage Insights community! In other words, what inspires scientists to pursue their research? This led me down the road of studying evolution, ultimately resulting in me becoming an evolutionary palaeontologist. I knew from then on that I would be a scientist. In not asking why, I wonder if we have also stopped asking questions in general. Nonverbal clues can help us to communicate more effectively and be more empathetic. New research sheds light on how we are resistant to change. 5 Signs Youd Be Great at It. //--> And once in their fields, there can be political and economic pressures with which to contend. Copyright 2023 StudeerSnel B.V., Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW: NL852321363B01, Chemistry: The Central Science (Theodore E. Brown; H. Eugene H LeMay; Bruce E. Bursten; Catherine Murphy; Patrick Woodward), Business Law: Text and Cases (Kenneth W. Clarkson; Roger LeRoy Miller; Frank B. However, no matter how noble the motivation, scientists driven by a sense of duty will inevitably face aharsh reality: most academic researchwill not have a direct impact on peoples lives. Include specific examples to support your response. selection, which is what made me curious. be it through governed work spaces or not! So yes, they are stuck, but not so much in limbo between the unpleasing prospect of a career in science and the fear of hanging the pipettes and searching for happiness elsewhere, but they are in that sense beyond fear. Depression: Goodbye Serotonin, Hello Stress and Inflammation, How Blame and Shame Can Fuel Depression in Rape Victims, Getting More Hugs Is Linked to Fewer Symptoms of Depression, Interacting With Outgroup Members Reduces Prejudice, You Can't Control Your Teen, But You Can Influence Them. Maybe you need mentoring for a particular transferrable skill you'd like to develop e.g. It's so easy so why do people still feel reluctant to ask why? Its an important question because the road to a successful career in science as with technology, engineering and mathematics, the other STEM fields can be challenging, often requiring a Ph.D. or other postgraduate training. It was easy to see how our lives differed. Based on this week's resources, I think what motivates scientists to ask why and pursue their research is first their curiosity and to find a way to make things easier for us humans. What leads people to a career in science? Why don't we give you complete access! Considering what motivates a scientist such as Stephen Hawking to inquire, "Why?" There were important aspects that I had failed to consider like the importance of the dynamics in the relationship between a supervisor and a PhD student, funding problems, the struggle to get published, the uncertainty of being able to secure a professional future within academia, demands from other parts of their lives having repercussions on their research, etc. : an American History, Chapter 5 - Summary Give Me Liberty! Here, I will attempt to list some motivations I have encountered in my fellow colleagues (and in myself) to the central question of whywe chose a career in academic science. Think science! - Understanding Science - University of California, Berkeley Unless you are a charismatic science communicator the likes of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carl Saganyou are better off looking for social status elsewhere. I believe that human instinct is what motivates scientists to ask, "Why". The initial enthusiasm almost always seems to get replaced by a sense of cynicism and depression. Id love to hear about your experiences of asking questions that carry no judgment. But unlike children as young as three-to-five years of age, they do not seek explanations for causes of phenomena. I had for example to completely drop my main topic 1.5 years into my PhD, and restart on what was at the time a "Sunday side project". The thoughts they shared with me were not very different from some Tweets I had found and I share both in this piece. You may even one day achieve aNobel prize, the largest pat on the back a scientist canget,and your name will be remembered by your peers for a long time but not by thegeneral public. You can help your students appreciate the excitement of scientific discoveries in many ways for example, by discussing science news stories, new and compelling research, or the announcement of the Nobel prizes in science. Professor of Indigenous Studies and Director of The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, Macquarie University. Our original resources for authors and journals will help you become an expert in academic publishing. I suspect you have heard these kinds of questions. I became curious about what kept researchers motivated on their journey. check their blood sugar level. Why Do Women Remember More Dreams Than Men Do? And while nearly half (47%) said it was a good or very good time to begin a career in their field, 53% said it was a bad time to start out in their field. In any event, asking questions, along with enhancing resilience, opens possibilities. Let's start with two definitions. All Rights Reserved. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. The objective is to get to the top! This passion led me to where I am today an astrophysicist and data scientist trying to make sense of the universe (and other things) via observations and data analysis. Many of us grew up with copious amounts of praise from teachers, family and friends when it comes to intellectual performance. the document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. At least not in the short-term. Why Are We Reluctant to Ask Why? | Psychology Today The 'Why' Behind Asking Why: The Science of Curiosity This says that while I am asking a question, it is because I am a part of the conversation and part of the answer as well. On the other hand, we usually experience the type of curiosity that drives all scientific research, artistic endeavors, and exploratory behavior (the true love for knowledge, referred to by Berlyne as epistemic curiosity), as a pleasurable state, one in which we anticipate reward. What keeps me going through all the ups and downs is being modest. Curiosity killed the cat but in for humans' curiosity has opened unimaginable doors, helped overcome countless challenges and answer . What do they love most about being researchers? [CDATA[>