Question

If you found an incredibly simple solution to a complex problem what would you first step be in validating that solution as an undergrad student?

Answer 1

Ask my prof.

Answer 2

jk, I would on behafe of the solution (if mathematical) set up an expermente to verife a such relationship

Answer 3

If the experiment fails to follow the theory/equation we are testing then I thow it away... this however you do with everything.

Answer 4

Or, you find out WHY you were wrong.

Answer 5

I just transferred to a new school. I don't have the equipment to set up a proper experiment to test my idea. I want to run it by someone but I am not sure who the best person would be to approach as an undergrad.

Answer 6

I was in the kind of same situation ones, what I did was to make a paper discribing your idea like a synopsis, and then posted it to a department where i study today. They can then see if your idea could be good to test - and might even allow aditional testing

Answer 7

On a side note I also just found out that I was the $10,000 NSF STEM scholarship that I applied for! (sorry I'm just really excited about that bit)

Answer 8

Oh excellent idea! Thank you. I tend to present things better in writing anyway.

Answer 9

What about a fund then?

Answer 10

Well I sure hope you get the chance to test your idea :)

Answer 11

Thank you. Me too!

Answer 12

and hopefully a paper in your name ;)

Answer 13

That would be nice but it seems unlikely that I would be given full credit. Plus I think it was Darwin that warned against publishing too early in ones career as you may not be taken seriously.

Answer 14

well might be true, but a good scientist will never think about such a thing.

Answer 15

Mind if I ask what the subject is?

Answer 16

It concerns how the body processes certain sugars.

Answer 17

Oh metabolics, intresting, studying biochemistry?

Answer 18

That I am. I'm currently a Biochem major at UCCS.

Answer 19

There was a Princeton study published awhile back that piqued my interest and I have been researching the subject for a few semesters. I found something interesting and am now just trying to figure out how to pursue my idea appropriately.

Answer 20

And I think your idea of presenting the idea as an abstract or synopsis sounds perfect.

Answer 21

Well... might need to add I was still a high school student when I sended my request to the University of Copenhagen to borrow their patch-clamp equipment in order to do my experiment at that time, but hope it work, else there most also be advisors when it come to academic theories and experiments, how to get published write to funds and so on.

Answer 22

Im looking up how to write research proposals as we speak ;)

Answer 23

This is the notes I was given when I had to write the first time from Linda Greve, educated in rethorics:
Problem formulation:
Contents:
• A specific question or problem
• A series of questions, giving effect to approach the problem
• It must not be phrased as a question
• It must include elements beyond a statement
• A concrete PF forces you to a concrete conclusion and keep your focus
• You must understand your own problem formulation - it's yours!

The synopsis should be one argument! (can't stress how important that is)

Argumentation:
Claim:
• What you want to convince your reader about
• Evidence:
• In academia: Analysis, investigation, trial
• Basis:
• In academia: the method, the evidence is obtained with.