How can you develop resilience when facing criticism in research?

A mentor once taught the value in seeking out a “critical friend”. Having someone you choose to go to in order to critique your work as robustly as possible allows you to fine tune it and improve flaws before exposing it to a wider audience. The act of opting into this criticism rather than feeling subjected to it can help. Also, understanding that your work is not representative of you and that criticism applies to the work only can help to build a perspective of appreciating criticism. Finally, consider a win/win view of differing opinions. If someone critiques your work, you will either change and improve your work, or you will be able to defend it and therefore strengthen it. Win win

You always find different perspectives when you ask the others because each one of us is unique in the way of thinking and our experiences. When we receive criticism, we can take this as an opportunity to find the differences between something we have an opinion over versus someone else’s opinion. We can always take or reject that “correction” after our evaluation. However, considering our inertia and of course the feedback’s validity factor, we should be aware about the biases. The more we are aware of this, the better we can benefit from feedback and look into improvements in an accelerated way.

Having recently finishing my MBA program, I felt vulnerable to criticism many times. I did need to alter my thinking on criticism and see that if received correctly, the criticism would only make me a stronger business man down the road. Researchers who welcome and respond positively to criticism demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of high-quality, impactful research.

Being a final year PhD scholar, I would like to address few things which I have been through in a proffesional learning phase spanning more then a decade. 1. We need to have a posititive attitude towards things which we face and that comes along after a careful observation of our actions and reaction went through in past and to analyze, we need a bigger picture of personal and cummulative experiences. Only then we will be able to understand what we can get from a particular criticism or harsh scneraio which can help build us into a better proffesional. 2. We also need to acquire a skill which is "how to stay confident in ourselves" as sometimes people try to make us feel bad out of nothing logical.

There will inevitably be criticisms and rejections of your research, whether warranted or not. I found that the most invaluable technique for dealing with such situations is to ask yourself the following 2 questions at a place and time suitable for reflective thinking: (i) why you are doing this piece of research in the first place and (ii) is what you are doing aligned with your goals and values? Most scientists start off their research careers by wanting to contribute to the world and advance mankind. However, the stress of academia and life’s commitments can quickly cast a pall on your initial enthusiasm. If your answers for the above are affirmative, take on the criticisms and rejections with a constructive view and soldier on!

It's super important to take feedback in its stride. Without criticism which I always love to call constructive feedback we wouldn't know how to get better. Ensure to take some time to process your emotions and then reply and reveiw your response as many times as possible before its given.

Below are the some points to follow, When navigating criticism in research, maintaining a professional tone is crucial. Begin by acknowledging and appreciating constructive feedback. Clearly explain the rationale behind your research decisions, providing context and addressing any misconceptions. Support your responses with evidence from the study or relevant literature. Express a sincere openness to learning and improving. Emphasize positive adjustments resulting from the critique, showcasing your commitment to refinement. Encourage further discussion, thanking critics for their valuable input. By fostering a respectful and collaborative dialogue, you contribute to a constructive research environment.

It is important to acknowledge the loopholes and offer a constructive reply by addressing the specific improvement points which has been suggested. Always ask for a structured criticism which can be acted upon and the work quality can be improved subsequently. One should have a solution oriented approach, striving for constant improvement. Finally, one should end on a positive note as this demonstrates the commitment to growth and continuous improvement.

Definitely not an easy task when we are presented with a feedback that we find it unfair. However, if we can change our respective and take emotions out of it, we can start looking into how to dissect a received feedback. After all, in the worst case scenario we will find out about our huge gap or difference in opinion with respect to the person who provided us the feedback. Therefore, feedback should be taken as a gift, no matter what.

One of the best approaches is to take a step back and try and view your work from a third party's perspective, detaching your identity from its authorship. You should thank the individual for their feedback and consider whether in your view or that of others there is any overarching benefit in the changes or feedback suggested from a higher perspective.

First, seek to understand. Is the feedback challenging your thinking on a topic? Does it make you think differently about your research? Should/could/would these changes make a difference in your research? Often times we accept criticism as a personal attack because we invest so much of ourselves in our work. Instead, approach it as -- what is this view, what should I learn from it, and what, IF ANY, changes could I make. Parse it out and then make decisions.

If you approach criticism by assuming positive intent from the individual providing feedback, your perception of the information may change considerably. This is especially true if you tend to view all criticism from a negative perspective. By assuming positive intent you approach the information provided as if the individual wants to help you improve something instead of thinking they are pointing out what you have done wrong.

Reflecting on criticism is helpful in improving ourselves, but its also important not to dwell on them too long. The danger of doing so is that you might begin a spiral into negativity, risking feeling dejected and discouraged. You should learn to filter the criticisms and take in what is relevant and actionable on your part.

It is always worthwhile to be self-critical in the face of external criticism. If your self analysis leads you to think that the external criticism is being made due something that can be worked upon, you should never hesitate to do so personally. However, if you conclude that the criticism is coming from unconstructive grounds, the best you can do is to choose your peace of mind and walk away from any thing that might hinder it.

Criticism doesn't invalidate your research work. Sometimes critics could be wrong or not as informed on a particular topic. So don't write off yourself just yet. This then calls for us to critically reflect on, firstly, the criticism and secondly, and to a larger extent, the critics. Usually, I have a weakness of going an extra mile to know my critics, of course you won't know every one of them but trust me this has worked for me. Some people are just out there arguing about anything they see online. So understand their context, as well as establish the common concern among your critics. This will help establish the validity and relevance of the criticism.

Through experience, I've realized the significance of a supportive network when facing criticism. While occasional negative and unfounded criticism may arise, having a robust support system is invaluable. The professional network must provide criticism with a proactive, positive intent, fostering an environment where feedback is constructive, engaging, and leads to motivation for research enhancement. This supportive community offers emotional backing, engaging debates, and feedback that encourages continued progress and improvement in research endeavors.

We are living in an interconnected world. One cannot get far alone in academia and research. Seeking support and feedback is very critical to someone's career development and personal development in general. As beginners and throughout our careers, we must look up to someone for support and feedback. This person can be a mentor, a senior in the field, or a peer who shares the same values. This is what I did for most of my career and the last few years as a researcher. And it has helped me quite a lot.

A way to develop resilience in the face of criticism is to maintain a growth mindset. I usually try to view criticism as an opportunity for learning and improvement rather than a personal failure. Embrace challenges, see setbacks as temporary, and focus on the potential for development. This mindset shift can empower you to extract valuable lessons from criticism and continue growing in your research endeavors. It is difficult but is not impossible.

This is really important, especially if you are part of a lab or team. Find someone in your team who you trust and can share your thoughts and struggles with. They can help you overcome any negative feelings/thoughts when you first receive the criticism, but can also provide practical support and help on working to improving yourself.

No one is out there alone, especially not in research. Inviting in new perspectives allows you to get the most out of the criticism you receive, and can be a necessary counterweight to any overly critical feedback.

Embracing a growth mindset in response to criticism in research is indeed a transformative approach. It redefines criticism as an opportunity for intellectual advancement rather than a personal affront. This perspective fosters resilience by encouraging researchers to see feedback, even if it's negative, as a valuable tool for learning and refinement. It shifts the focus from defending one's work to enhancing it, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and open-mindedness. Importantly, a growth mindset also nurtures emotional intelligence in researchers, equipping them to handle criticism with composure and to discern constructive insights from it.

For me, this is the most important aspect of the answer--having a growth mindset gives us permission to continue learning, and taking criticism (and learning from it) is part of that process.

When criticism is seen from evaluation, assessment, judgement and observation perspective then it is easier to take benefit from it in a research. If knowing what we know is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom. Criticism can help to identify unknowns or inadequate information.

A growth mindset is the transducer that converts criticism into chips for developing a more robust research skillset. A growth mindset is the transformer that steps down criticism into an acceptable voltage that can be utilised.

Trusting your instinct. Using your Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude in bring forth your idea and not be afraid of criticism. Believing in yourself is tested when we face criticism.

Self reflection can be a powerful tool of self-care. After presenting one’s research or after a writing session, look back on your research presentation or research paper draft, and point out a few positive things before jumping to negative criticism. Developing this habit can help combat the internal and external critics, because it trains your brain to see strengths of your work and gives you motivation to keep going.

In my experience, criticism can affect your self-esteem and that is to be expected. What matters is not to let you doubt your abilities and skills in general. If you are lacking in research skills when it comes to quantitative data and you have been criticized for this, that doesn't mean you are a bad researcher. You need more practice or need to change the trajectory of your research.

Uma crítica deve ser encarada como um fator para o crescimento do seu traballho. Ampliar a sua perspectiva aliada a algo mais que releve e fortaleça outro ponto de vista que seja válido e que vai agregar, é uma forma de desenvolver resiliência diante de críticas. Por vezes a crítica que mais lhe incomodar na sua pesquisa, é algo à ser trabalhado. Não existe uma palavra final, ao perceber que a impermanência presente em uma pesquisa, trabalho ou na própria vida refletida no que você faz, torna a maneira de lidar com as críticas saudável.

Criticism is inevitable. When on the receiving side, take your time to absorb the content. Put it aside for a while and then later engage with the content to determine how you will deal with it and what parts are relevant and what parts aren't. This time out will allow the emotional aspects to dissipate, and you will be able to look at the content more objectively. Just remember, whether you are student or professor, you will always receive criticism at some point. It's what you do with it that determines your resilience.

Criticism is like a double-edged sword. It can help you improve or demotivate you. Here, we want to consider how to develop resilience, but maybe we should NOT?!.. Here is the thing: when we dedicate ourselves to research too much, we create a relationship towards this work, which creates biases no matter what. In science, this bias can be detrimental (and quite common, unfortunately). The problem is we unintentionally call this bias resilience. Therefore, maybe we should not develop ‘resilience’ but rather keep curiosity and a growth mindset as tools to accept criticism as a way to broaden our perspective. Long story short, research is a way to fulfill curiosity and improve our world. So, these two should be enough to keep going.

-Cultivate self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes and faces criticism. Treat yourself with the same understanding and support you would offer a friend in a similar situation. -Seek support: Don't go it alone. Build a network of supportive colleagues, mentors, or even online communities where you can share your experiences and seek guidance. Talking to others who understand the challenges of research can be a powerful source of encouragement and perspective. -Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward, each hurdle overcome, contributes to your overall resilience and academic growth. -Focus on your goals

Developing resilience in the face of research criticism involves embracing constructive feedback and maintaining a positive mindset. Firstly, view criticism as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack. Separate your work from your identity. Seek to understand the specific points of criticism and use them as valuable insights to enhance your research. Cultivate self-confidence by acknowledging your strengths and past achievements. Recognise that research often involves challenges and setbacks, and resilience is built through learning and adapting. Lastly, focus on the purpose and impact of your research, remembering that constructive criticism contributes to the refinement of ideas and the advancement of knowledge.

Criticism is a true test of your core objective of conducting a research. True and correct criticism brings our the best in the research final output while biase and wrong criticism discourage but a necessary tool in reminding the researcher that collaborative or wild consultation is as well essential in conducting a well grounded and widely acceptable research work.