Watch on YouTube

5:12

Finding a research problem worth studying

A research problem is a gap in what we know, stated clearly enough that systematic, public methods could close it. Bed nets prevent malaria in children, yet many children do not sleep under one every night, so how to get families to adopt and use them is a gap worth closing. Once we start reading the literature, gaps turn up everywhere, and the harder choice is which one to take on. Favor problems that genuinely interest us, contribute to the field, and leave society better off.

Also covered: study's ikigai · joining an ongoing project · browsing recent journal issues · article keywords as search terms · opportunity cost