research excellence tips & common mistakes to avoid

All researchers make mistakes during their scientific journey and many of these are common across all researchers, either due to lack of awareness, supervision or, just carelessness. There are significant resources (time, effort, and money) spent on research projects, and researchers can go down a rabbit hole before realizing their mistake. 

To reduce the chances of other researchers repeating these mistakes and in turn slowing down their research, we have listed below some mistakes or, better yet, tips to overcome or avoid these mistakes that we ourselves have made or witnessed in our 15 years of lab research experience. 

So, let’s dive in and learn!

1. Cleanliness is the basis of good research to reduce the risk of contamination and accidents. Clean and decontaminate your workspace (including equipment) before and after each use. (Refer to our post on The Smart Lab Bench for full details)

2. The most common and often most regretted mistake: Clearly, consistently, and legibly, label all samples, solutions, containers, etc. with as much detail as possible (e.g., name of substance, concentration, date, etc.) using a lab-grade marker to ensure accurate record-keeping. 

We have seen many times where students label tubes as A, B, C, etc. or A1, A2, A3, etc., thinking they would remember what the labels meant but lose track after the third experiment. For instance, DNA from a plasmid preparation experiment should mention the name of the plasmid as well as the insert (if there is one), not just PP1.

3. If you need help (unsure about a procedure, have concerns, etc.), seek guidance from your supervisor. Remember, your supervisor was once in your place and would prefer you ask for help early instead of risking failed experiment(s) and wasting valuable time, and resources.

4. Using inappropriate analysis methods and tools can cost time and resources. Conclusions based on incorrect data analysis methods or statistical tools could lead to misinterpretation of data and have negative repercussions on downstream experiments or conclusions. Work with your supervisor to determine the most suitable analysis method for your experiment at the planning stage, and do not be afraid to adjust once you have the data, as there may be added factors or parameters you had not thought about before that could change your approach to analyzing the data.

Care for reagents and samples 

5. Store reagents according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure their stability and integrity. This will also reduce the need to re-purchase compromised reagents, the risk of failed experiments, as well as having to troubleshoot and repeat failed experiments. 

For instance, some reagents such as enzymes must be stored in -20deg but repeated freeze-thaw would degrade them. So, it is best to make aliquots of such reagents such that when required, only 1 tube is used each time in its entirety instead of repeatedly freeze-thawing a large amount of the enzyme.

6. Dissolve reagents properly by following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the desired concentration is achieved and it does not precipitate out in the buffer. If possible, confirm complete dissolution by holding the sample against the light.

7. The first in, first out principle applies to everything, including reagents, consumables, supplies, etc., to minimize waste and reduce costs.

8. Read labels and check again! Use the right reagents for your experiments and do not risk wasting time, effort, and resources due to minor lapses like using the wrong reagent!

Proper care and use of equipment

9. It is critical to be properly trained before using any equipment, no matter how simple, in the lab to ensure your safety and prevent any damage to the equipment. We have seen time and time again where individuals have used a piece of equipment e.g. microscope, before and start working on a "similar" system without training, assuming they know what they are doing and causing damage to the system or posing a safety risk to themselves. 

Another example is a high-speed centrifuge - someone who has used a benchtop centrifuge might think using a high-speed centrifuge is no different. However, some additional procedures and precautions need to be taken when operating a high-speed centrifuge that would be unknown to the user without training, such as weighing out the bottles to ensure they are exactly balanced.

10. Clean the weighing balance before and after use to prevent cross-contamination of your sample(s), prevent damage to the instrument and ensure accurate measurements. It is a common sight to see a dirty weighing balance in labs as researchers get apathetic about something they don't think matters or is important, but such small actions affect the longevity of the machine as well as the accuracy of its measurements.

11. Always ensure equipment, e.g. cold storage units, ovens, incubators, etc., is properly closed before walking away from them! You wouldn’t want to risk your and your lab mates’ precious samples!

12. Use a booking calendar to schedule the use of shared equipment and lab chores and adhere to them! This will ensure a harmonious working environment where shared equipment can be used optimally by everyone without conflict. And, as mentioned in point 1, always clean up after yourself, as next user might just be you ;)

Equipped with knowledge of common mistakes and useful tips, you can now implement this knowledge to excel and thrive in your research!  

GET ACCESS TO THE ABOVE TIPS AND MANY MORE WITH THE RESOURCES BELOW - A HARDCOPY GUIDED NOTEBOOK OR A DIGITAL GUIDED NOTEBOOK!