Qualities of a Successful Researcher

[Ron]

In one of prof. Jonathan Nitzan’s lectures on YouTube, he said that he asks Ph.D. candidates about their greatest research failure and for reasons for that failure. It made to pause the video and deeply rethink thoroughly my M.A thesis and studies. But to the point…

I would like the ask the forum, what qualities make a successful researcher in the fields of economics, Political Economy, and related humanitarian fields?

By Qualities, I mean both acquired and developed, including personal qualities (like character), and any other qualitative feature.

By Successful, I mean metrics like the H-Index, the ability to get tenure, and salary. If there are better metrics to measure academic success please tell me.

Thanks!

• This topic was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Ron.

Topic

[Jonathan Nitzan]

It is important to distinguish between academia and science. They are often opposite to one another.

The Scientist and the Church

[Blair Fix]

I think the qualities of a good researcher are simply curiosity and a willingness to learn and explore (and to be confused). If you have those qualities, the other skills (mostly learning how to manipulate data, find sources, etc.) can be learned.

As for what makes for success, it depends on how you define it. If you can clearly communicate your research, people will be interested in what you do. That does not mean, though, that you will be a successful academic.

The unfortunate reality, especially in political economy, is that academic success has largely to do with the people you manage to impress and the ideas you espouse. If you go against the orthodoxy, your career options are limited.

[Author]

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