Links or citations for resources of interest. Names in parenthesis indicate the NCEAS member who suggested the resource and may be able to loan you a copy. Please suggest new resources and/or categories by adding a comment below.
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Analytical approach to defining scientific questions
Design of scientifically testable hypotheses
- On single vs. multiple hypothesis research: Platt JR. (1964) Strong Inference. Science 164 (3642), pp. 347-353.
Broad-based and cross-disciplinary knowledge acquisition
Interpretation and analysis of data, including statistical analysis
Data visualization
Effective search strategies and critical evaluation of the literature
Navigating the peer review process
Creativity and innovative thinking
Resolving tensions between competition and collaboration/cooperation modes of advancing science
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: WRITING
Writing scientific publications
- On writing: Gopen GD and Swan JA. (1990) The Science of Scientific Writing. American Scientist 78, 550-558.
Writing for non-scientists
Writing proposals/applications for government funding
Writing proposals/applications for corporate/business funding
Writing proposals/applications for foundation funding
Writing CV/resume and cover letters
Writing research and teaching statements
Writing letters of recommendation
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: PRESENTING
General public speaking skills and/or storytelling
Presenting research at a poster session
Presenting research at a conference or seminar
Creating quality presentation slides
Preparing for and giving a job talk
- Marissa Baskett’s list of grant and job resources (Derek Gray)
- Inouye BD, Underwood N, Doak DF, and Kareiva P (2006) Ecology 101: Interviewing for academic jobs. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. (Derek Gray)
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: TEACHING AND OUTREACH
Teaching methods and/or learning styles
Communicating science through traditional news media
Communicating science through online media such as social networks and blogs
Communicating science through face-to-face outreach activities
Evaluating learning and/or communication effectiveness
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: INTERPERSONAL
Professionalism and developing a professional identity; ‘branding’ yourself
Contributing to the advancement of a discipline
Contributing to the advancement of an institution/department
Maintaining positive relationships with colleagues
Negotiation
Performance reviews and feedback
Difficult conversations/conflict resolution
Networking strategies, skills, and tools
Recognizing and dealing with discrimination in a professional setting
Enhancing cross-disciplinary communication
- On the ‘two cultures’: Snow CP. (1960) The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution, Cambridge University Press.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS
General management (e.g., running a meeting, delegating responsibilities)
Mentoring/serving as a role model
Project management (establishing priorities, time management, budgets)
Managing collaborations (within research group and with other groups)
- Smith K and Imbrie PK (2005) Teamwork and Project Management, Chapters 2 (“Teamwork”) and 3 (“Teamwork Skills and Problem Solving”), McGraw-Hill. (Stephanie Hampton)
- Thomas KL and Kilman RH, Thomas Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument (Stephanie Hampton)
- Style Matters: The Kraybill Conflict Style Inventory. Riverhouse epress. (Stacy Rebich Hespanha)
- Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council, and Universities Australia. (Mark Browne)
- Hampton SE and Parker JN (2011) Collaboration and Productivity in Scientific Synthesis. Bioscience 61(11), 900-910. (Stephanie Hampton)
- Buddle CM (2012) Fieldwork Essentials: the resentment list. Arthropod Ecology blog, posted July 26, 2012. (Stephanie Hampton)
Data and resource management
Research staff management (e.g., writing job descriptions, recruitment and hiring, termination, performance reviews, diversity)
Identifying and clarifying goals
Motivating/inspiring others
Leadership styles
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
- Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council, and Universities Australia. (Mark Browne)
Data ownership and sharing
Publication practices and responsible authorship
Research with human subjects
Research with animal subjects
Identifying and mitigating research misconduct
Conflicts of interest (e.g., personal, intellectual, commitment, financial)
Intellectual property rights
Confidentiality and bias in peer review
Conflicts and potential competition between mentor and trainee
CAREER PLANNING AND ADVANCEMENT
Creating and maintaining a professional network
Identifying career options
Preparing application materials
Interviewing
‘Marketing’ your work/ideas