This is a rhetorical question, as I´ll give an answer. I get asked questions through research gate messaging from time to time or I see questions on RG where I feel that I have the know how and experience to give a relevant answer.
However, it seems too few people read this: https://explore.researchgate.net/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=14155852
What bothers me is that often questions are asked that the person could answer through a little search on google or research gate. Often other people have asked a similar question or had a similar problem - so the answer is already out there. In other cases, the questions concern basic application of techniques or trouble shooting techniques that are very well documented (e.g. qPCR, western blot etc..).
So before asking a question, why not make the effort to find the answer yourself? Of course it´s faster to ask someone who knows; but then please start with your PI. If this is not possible for whatever reason, ask the internet. If you are still not sure how to interpret a result, THEN at least you´ll have an idea of what information needs to be provided with your question to get your question answered.
Where to ask? In the public questions section or directly by messaging someone? I would say, always ask in the public questions section of RG. If you get no reply or if you want the reply from someone specific - copy the question link and invite the person by sending a message with the link and saying why you want their input. Why ask in public questions section? Because there will probably be many people who had the same problem and can help you and in the future there may be other people who will have the same question and they will be happy to find answers to it.
If you ask a question: take the time to write a good question and to provide all the required info and if possible an image. e.g. if your blot looks weird with a certain antibody and you have no clue what the problem may be-give as much info as possible: e.g. which organism, which tissue, how the sample was prepared (buffer, temperatures, which inhibitors were added?) protein amount loaded on XX % gel, gel system (classic laemmli...), blotting conditions, membrane type, mass of the protein in question, antibody (product and lot number of commercial antibodies) and an image of the blot.
THE same holds true for answering. I try not to give speculative answers. If the info I need to answer the question is missing, I try to ask for that info. Otherwise, it´ll be just an accumulation of speculation. Also, I often see that people just "repeat" answers already given a few post up. Please read all answers and only contribute NEW or ADDITIONAL input, or write if a certain answer was very helpful if you want to give further support to it.
FINALLY - after getting answers, vote up answers that helped and "close" the question with writing what solved the problem. This will be very helpful for someone who has the same question/problem in the future.
Hope this spreads a little bit. I think this research gate question section is very useful. But it should not be overused for quick and lazy asking of questions that could be easily answered by a PI or by checking the internet.
https://explore.researchgate.net/display/support/Finding+questions+and+answers
Hi Christoph,
I fully agree with you.
In my opinion it is important to consider that the number of questions and answers from a given researcher, regardless of their quality, significantly increase his RG score. The latter is not so important from Academic point of view, but maybe, for a large number of researchers might be of some interest.
Hey,
one aspest of the discussion could be that in any case we should always empower people more to ask questions than to stay in a reserved point of view. So in the end it lies in the nature of the answer you give to meet any resulting inconvenience adequately.
Dear Christoph,
I strongly agree with you. I think that one of main points behind asking several questions is mentioned by Antonio's comment. This helps to increase their RG scores.
regards
Abdalrahman
https://explore.researchgate.net/display/support/Finding+questions+and+answers
How do I find relevant questions on Q&A?
ResearchGate’s Q&A recommendations take your unique set of skills and expertise into account to present you with the most relevant discussions in your field – you can find these questions under Questions we think you can answer on the right-hand side of your Q&A overview page. Make sure you keep your research skills and expertise up to date to get the best recommendations.
You can also browse questions and answers using the other three filters: Recent questions in your field, Questions you follow, and Questions you asked. You can also search ResearchGate to find more questions.
Now that I've asked a question, where can I see it?
To see all of the questions you’ve asked, go to the Q&A overview page and select Questions you asked on the right-hand side. You can also see a list of all the questions you’ve asked by going to your profile’s Research tab and clicking Questions on the left-hand side.
Where can I see the answers I added?
You can see the answers you’ve added to other researchers’ questions by going to your profile’s Research tab and then filter for Answers on the left side of the page.
The research questions to be answered are those questions that are intended to be answered as the result of this study.
Particularly important issue, because estimating the substantive value of formulated questions and answers provided in the Questions and Discussions tab for the development of science is not a simple matter. I believe that the editing of key questions for the development of scientific research and providing specific objective answers on the basis of experience from scientific research and in the current, developing problem of science; asking inspirational questions for research and providing substantive and methodologically correct answers; Therefore, the greater importance of scientific achievements, including the results of research conducted, published research results for the development of science on the basis of which questions and answers are formulated; high level of significance of new added value for science from conducted scientific research; etc. is the higher value of the RG scoring factor, in which the above-mentioned issues are significant and are part of the algorithm for counting this general scoring ratio RG.
More improvement and classification of questions is required in research gate so that questions may be directed to the specialist in that area
More questions website are required to promote questions and I think difficult questions should be kept in premium category
I strongly agree with you Sir. This summer there was a lot questions regarding contamination in cultures for example. Havent seen any picture to see attached to define the problem.
Sometimes things are easy if people are providing more sources to identify problem.
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