The Zen of Research

Principles of doing rigorous and impactful research and having fun doing it.

The Python programming language has high-level advice to people developing Python code, called the Zen of Python, to try to explain what good code looks like. The following list is my attempt to make a similar set of principles for what good research looks like, based on my 17 years of experience. They reflect general principles rather than hard-and-fast rules.

• Get comfortable with being wrong and work hard to become less wrong.
• Testing multiple theories is better than attempting to confirm a single theory.
• Practical is better than purely theoretical.
• Steal methods and ideas from the best. Be generous when giving credit.
• Open-source tools are better than closed-source tools.
• Develop skills and tools that serve as force multipliers.
• Research ethics come first.
• Replicate empirical results before relying on them to constrain theory.
• Statistical power is key.
• Document all critical aspects of a project in writing at the outset and keep documentation updated throughout.
• Study designs and code are guilty until proven innocent.
• Readability counts, in code, figures, and research reports.
• Communicate with all stakeholders: advisors, colleagues, funding agencies, and the public.
• Simply publishing a PDF on a website is unlikely to have much impact by itself.
• Work with the larger scientific community to create greater impact.
• Make your work publicly available. Publish code, data, and detailed documentation.
• When communicating research, speak as plainly as possible.
• Use a range of methods to communicate research for different levels of expertise and interest.
• Meet people where they are and explain why they should care about your research.
• Read widely. Learn about things that aren’t immediately relevant to your research.
• Work together, but also work to find your own voice.
• Bring your whole self to work. If the work requires compromising who you are, it’s not worth it.
• Take time off. It’s your right as a human being and will lead to better and more creative work anyway.
• Build the career you want.