What do you do if you want to advance your career by developing research skills on your own?

The goals in research include exploration, description, explanation, prediction, intervention, evaluation, theory development, validation, comparison, and synthesis.

1. Maximized Investment: With clear goals in mind, you can ensure that the time and effort you invest in self-education directly contribute to your professional growth. Rather than engaging in random learning activities, you focus on areas that are most relevant to your career advancement, making your efforts more productive and rewarding. 2. Identify specific areas for improvement, like finding reliable sources or enhancing data analysis skills, to tailor your learning efforts effectively. 3. Measurable goals allow you to monitor your development, staying motivated and celebrating milestones as your research skills advance.

Imagine you're lost in a giant library – shelves overflowing with books, but no clue where to find that perfect one. That's what starting research skills development can feel like. But here's the secret: knowing what you're looking for is key! Do you want to be a data detective, cracking codes and uncovering patterns? Or maybe a master storyteller, weaving research findings into clear, actionable plans? Setting clear goals at the beginning is like drawing a map in that library. It helps you find the right resources, hone the right skills, and ultimately land that dream research job you've been eyeing.

Read Extensively: Study research papers and articles in your field. Take Courses: Enroll in online or in-person research methods courses. Practice Critical Thinking: Analyze and question research findings. Learn Data Analysis: Master data analysis tools and software. Join Research Projects: Collaborate on projects for hands-on experience. Seek Feedback: Request input on your research from peers and mentors. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest research trends and methodologies. Experiment: Conduct your own research to apply and refine your skills.

Every building requires a firm a foundation. Inasmuch, advanced statistical model may seem fancy, it’s imperative early prospective researchers take the pain to dive deep into basics of their field of interest. As a policy impact researcher, I took time to comb the common skills required to thrive in this field. Then I proceeded with getting the elementary stuffs right which has made it easier to transit to the advanced level.

Before you start your experiments or data collection, it’s important to review existing literature. This helps to ensure that you are building upon or challenging established knowledge, not duplicating efforts, and identifying gaps that your research might fill.

The internet offers abundant educational resources for research, including online courses catering to various methodologies. Start by clarifying your research goals, then select courses aligned with those objectives. Look for programs offering practical assignments to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Hands-on experience is crucial for reinforcing understanding and confidence in research skills.

Some courses offer certificates upon completion, which can be added to your professional portfolio or resume. While these typically come with a fee, they can be a worthwhile investment by credentialing your learning efforts.

Theory is important, but real expertise is gained through practical application. Rather than waiting for significant projects to come your way, seize the initiative and engage in small-scale research projects that are pertinent to your field. Engage in smaller projects to gain hands-on experience, refine research techniques, and improve critical thinking skills. Consistently applying learned knowledge in practical contexts solidifies understanding, making you a more versatile and valuable researcher.

Some platforms I have found useful include GitHub, X, and LinkedIn. By following domain experts, I stay updated with the latest developments.