Writer's deadlines

I've recently begun writing a paper to wrap up a small part of my postdoctoral studies. Don't get too excited, it'll most likely be a "methods" paper with a relatively low impact. I'm not complaining about it because that's the nature of the majority of published research. Besides that, the pressure is on to publish a shorter report now rather than a longer (and perhaps more complete) one later because the grant supporting it is due for review. The funding agency would want to see its investment produce something before it decides whether to continue its support.

Research is like a business in this respect. We all like to think that science and research is a lofty endeavor and their progress should not be held to a timetable, but the money has to come from somewhere and nobody in their right mind would give money away without preconditions. So, do these periodic deadlines help or hurt research? Well, I for one am motivated by deadlines. They help me focus and force me to prioritize tasks. They also guide my choice of experiments. I would say, overall, deadlines give structure to research and anchor some the chaos that regularly emerges as new data topple my hypothesis.

Do deadlines stifle creativity? I'll have to say that depends. I find I'm more creative in my experimental design when I'm pressed for time. But research, at least in my experience, is one of disciplined reasoning and hinges on the questions you ask, and the question you decide to answer. Labs tend to work with restrictive budgets and can't do every possible experiment or answer every question. So, coming up with research questions is sometimes just a fun mental exercise because you may not have the resources to actually answer them. In the end, the operative word is decision; you'll have to decide which questions would generate a publishable unit, and put the rest aside until you have a chance to pursue them.

So, what's a budding researcher to do? I don't mean to discourage anyone here. It's just a look at one of the administrative realities within research. The only antidote against cynicism in such cases is to choose a project you're honestly interested in studying, not just going along with the flavor of the month. It will be your passion for your chosen subject that keeps the blues away. Without it, it's very easy to become discouraged as the constant waves of failed experiments and frustrated progress wash over you. I'm sure I'm not saying anything new. I use to dismiss blog posts like this as fluff that has no utility. Time has proven me wrong - especially the bit about having passion for your work. You take this however you like, but understand that someday you may also experience the tyranny of the deadline. And you, too, will survive like so many others before you.

Photo credit: Molly King (http://blog.bookbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/writers-clock.jpg)