How can you communicate your research goals to lab partners?

1 Define your goals

Before you communicate your research goals to your lab partners, you need to define them for yourself. What are the main objectives, questions, and hypotheses of your research? What are the methods, data, and analysis you plan to use? What are the expected outcomes, impacts, and limitations of your research? You should be able to articulate your goals in a concise and coherent way, using specific and measurable terms. You should also align your goals with the overall mission and vision of your lab, department, or institution.

2 Adapt your communication style

Different lab partners may have different levels of expertise, interest, and involvement in your research. You need to adapt your communication style to suit your audience and purpose. For example, if you are presenting your research goals to a funding agency, you may want to use a formal and persuasive tone, highlighting the novelty, significance, and feasibility of your research. If you are discussing your research goals with a colleague, you may want to use a more informal and collaborative tone, inviting feedback, suggestions, and questions. If you are explaining your research goals to a student, you may want to use a more instructive and supportive tone, providing guidance, examples, and resources.

3 Use multiple channels

Communication is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You need to use multiple channels to communicate your research goals to your lab partners, depending on the stage, scope, and urgency of your research. For example, you may use a written document, such as a proposal, protocol, or report, to provide a detailed and structured overview of your research goals. You may use an oral presentation, such as a seminar, conference, or meeting, to share your research goals with a wider or specific audience. You may use an online platform, such as a website, blog, or social media, to disseminate your research goals to the public or stakeholders. You may use a face-to-face conversation, such as a consultation, discussion, or feedback session, to communicate your research goals with your lab partners individually or in small groups.

4 Seek input and feedback

Communication is not a one-way street, but a two-way dialogue. You need to seek input and feedback from your lab partners on your research goals, as well as provide input and feedback to them. Input and feedback can help you refine, improve, and validate your research goals, as well as identify potential challenges, opportunities, and solutions. You should seek input and feedback from your lab partners at different stages of your research, such as before, during, and after your data collection, analysis, and interpretation. You should also seek input and feedback from different perspectives, such as from experts, peers, students, or users.

5 Follow up and update

Communication is not a static state, but a dynamic change. You need to follow up and update your lab partners on your research goals, as well as follow up and update yourself on their research goals. Follow up and update can help you monitor, evaluate, and report your progress, achievements, and challenges, as well as acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate your successes and learnings. You should follow up and update your lab partners on a regular and timely basis, such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly. You should also follow up and update your lab partners on any changes, deviations, or adaptations of your research goals, as well as any new findings, insights, or implications of your research.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?