Advice for a Young Investigator

Neely Swanson is a scholar of romance languages. Larry W. Swanson is Senior Member of the Salk Institute, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego, and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Part 1 Introduction: thoughts about general methods; abstract rules are sterile; need to enlighten the mind and strengthen resolve; organization of the book. Part 2 Beginner's traps: undue admiration of authority; the most important problems are already solved; preoccupation with applied science; perceived lack of ability. Part 3 Intellectual qualities: independent judgement; concentration; passion for reputation; patriotism; taste of scientific originality. Part 4 What newcomers to biological research should know: general education; the need for specialization; foreign languages; how monographs should be read; the absolute necessity of seeking inspiration in nature; mastery of technique; in search of original data. Part 5 Diseases of the will: contemplators; bibliophiles and polyglots; megalomaniacs; instrument addicts; misfits; theorists. Part 6 Social factors beneficial to scientific work: material support; having a profession and doing research work are compatible; the investigator and his family. Part 7 Stages of scientific research: observation; experimentation; working hypotheses; proof. Part 8 On writing scientific papers: justification for scientific contributions; bibliography; justice and courtesy in decisions; description of methods; conclusions; the need for illustrations; style; the publication of scientific works. Part 9 The investigator as teacher.