Happy New Year to you all

Happy New Year to you all. It is that time of year when we should be thinking about our research plan for the year ahead. What should a research plan include? Well, it depends at the stage someone is at with their research.

If you are on a phd then you might be planning to gather data and write some papers, develop some skills and knowledge in data analysis and so on. The objectives can be well defined as taking a phd should be about following a well trodden research path.

If you have a PhD, your research plan might inlcude what projects you will start or continue and the papers you will write. You may also be thnking about your research network and how that will develop. You may be thinking about conferences to present your work and meeting people that you may collaborate with in the future.

If you are more advanced with your research you may be thinking about developing a research centre, expanding an existing centre, acquiring resources and funding, employing support and so on. You may be targeting certain journals or even organising a conference.

Your plan for 2010 should be part of a 3 year plan to take your research to a higher level. However, be careful that it doesn't get too mechanistic. Think about what you enjoy or might like to experience. Maybe you would like to go on a sabbatical to a beautiful part of the world and discuss your research with some interested people.

Whatever your plans are for 2010 I wish you success and enjoyment.