• Question: what do you think are the main qualities you need to have to be a scientist.?

    Asked by jaidespence to David, Luna, Mark, Melanie, Probash on 22 Mar 2011 in Categories: . This question was also asked by microsoftman.
    • Photo: Mark Vesey

      Mark Vesey answered on 20 Mar 2011:

      An inquisitive mind and enjoyment of solving problems and understanding things.

    • Photo: Melanie Stefan

      Melanie Stefan answered on 20 Mar 2011:

      – Curiosity and an interest in finding things out, willingness to learn new things
      – Frustration tolerance (experiments won’t work out every single time, and the funding situation is such that you have to apply for about seven grants in order to get one. Also there is quite a lot of studying to do before you get there)
      – Flexibility (in terms of working hours, work places or learning new methods and theories)

    • Photo: David Pyle

      David Pyle answered on 20 Mar 2011:

      There are many qualities that scientists may have, but science is a very wide area – and the particular qualities that are needed in one area (e.g. lab skills, mathematical skills, people skills) may well be different from qualities needed in another area.

      Probably the two main things that all scientists need are:
      – a questioning and inquisitive mind; a desire to ask ‘why?’;
      – the enthusiasm and energy to keep going when things aren’t working out!

    • Photo: Luna Munoz

      Luna Munoz answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      I think the main qualities are average to above average ability level, an interest, and LOTS of persistence. Things will go wrong or fail to make sense, and you have to persist!

    • Photo: Probash Chowdhury

      Probash Chowdhury answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      An enquiring mind, determination, logical/methodical thought processes, eye for detail and working to high standards and quality are also important in what I do.

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