Abstract
A successful career as an academic researcher is generally driven by intrinsic interest, good taste in problem selection, careful execution (effort), and good communication. Different approaches have proven to be successful and different researchers are suited to different styles. Nonetheless, some general characteristics underlie much successful research. Importantly, unless a person is interested in a problem (and others are also), there is little chance the work will be completed and, if it is, it will have impact. Further, most successful research addresses a relevant problem and is analyzed and communicated in a straightforward way. Importantly, however, no single approach is best. Rather, each researcher is best off tailoring their approach to their own skills and interests.
作为一名研究人员,成功的学术生涯通常取决于内在的志趣,选择课题的品味,完成任务的认真程度(努力)以及良好的表达能力。历史证明各种不同的研究方法都是行之有效,且不同的研究人员也适合各自不同的研究风格。尽管如此,许多成功的研究都是基于一些普遍的特点。除非一个人对某个课题颇有兴趣(其他人亦然),否则这项工作完成的几率很小,且如果真的完成了,也会产生不良影响,这一点至关重要。此外,大多数成功的研究都是针对一个相关问题展开的,通过分析,以一种直截明了的方式表述出来。当然,没有哪一个方法是最佳的研究方法,这一点也不可忽视。正相反,每一个研究人员最好是让研究方法适应于自己之所长,之所好。