I like you to share what is your immediate reaction to negative results of a big experiment which are contrary to your expectations. How you deal with it.
In research, before we start anything we must have to design experiment. Think on the same by both ways Positively & Negatively.
If we have negative results, without disappointing for that one should try...
1] Repeat experiment if you have any doubt.
2] Do not waste time in nervousness, because some time one can loose his temper.
3] With positive approach, try to control on the things before they control on you.
4] Whatever may be the situation one should not leave trying.
In research, before we start anything we must have to design experiment. Think on the same by both ways Positively & Negatively.
If we have negative results, without disappointing for that one should try...
1] Repeat experiment if you have any doubt.
2] Do not waste time in nervousness, because some time one can loose his temper.
3] With positive approach, try to control on the things before they control on you.
4] Whatever may be the situation one should not leave trying.
As they say: A negative result is also a result. So the first thing to do is try to find an explanation, probably by additional experiments. Like changing the parameters of the experiment one by one (time, temperature, etc). Or look for a practical mistake, e.g., impurities in the reagents.
Admittedly, an unexpected negative result does feel like a failure, if one is short of time...
Hi there,
my immediate reaction will be to simply walk away for a day or something. You need to clear your head before applying anything else on the same experiment that went wrong.
Then you hold a meeting with relevant people, either face to face or from a distance to discuss the results and the methods. You have to address the possible weaknesses point by point.
You need to replan your experiment with calmness and not frustration. Frustration and bad temper do not help.
Regroup if you are performing the experiments or consult and show trust to your employers. Shouting at them and lowering them is simply bad management and wrong crisis handling.
If you do the experiment 2-3 times and still fails maybe it's not doable. Do not get stuck. Move on and find other solutions to the problem (e.g different experiments altogether, different plans for the same experiment etc)
BW
Nikos
To me a retrospection is a must as u would have literature backup, must have planned well. just relax for a moment, back up for sometime, recollect the ideas and working methods, u'll find a solution
Hey, on the bright side, my experience shows that the initial disappointment is usually exaggerated. Setting emotions aside, it is always possible to work on and find the answer.
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