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Common laboratory terminology

If you’re starting lab research for the first time, or engaging in any science-related discussion, you’re going to hear a lot of words and phrases thrown around that you might not know. Here’s a list of common terms and phrases so you don’t have to ask later on!

Primary Investigator: the primary investigator, or PI, is the holder the lab’s research grant and the lead researcher for the grant project. You can think of this person as the boss of the lab or the head researcher.
Journal Publication: a scholarly publication containing articles written by researchers, professors and other experts. These are often published only a few times a year, and are the ultimate goal for any researchers. You’ll often hear someone go, “I’m going to be published in XYZ journal!” which means that their research project was published in that journal. Some journals are more prestigious than others, which is determined by their impact factor.
Assay: an investigative or analytic procedure for assessing or measuring the presence, amount, or functional activity of a drug. It’s used in a lot of laboratory settings, and can mostly be interchangeable with “experiment”.
Lab meeting: exactly what it sounds. Most, if not all, labs hold a weekly lab meeting, where all the people working in the lab will meet and one person will present updates on their work, usually in a form of PowerPoint presentation, and the rest of the lab will ask questions and discuss. The people presenting will rotate each week.
Journal club: All labs will also most likely have a journal club, where lab members will take turns each week choosing a scientific paper related to their field of work and present them in a meeting with the rest of the lab members.
Peer review: A type of research evaluation, used before a paper is published. Once a paper is submitted to a journal, the journal will have experts in the same field as the author review the paper for any mistakes or fallacies. This ensures the quality and validity of the research.
Methodology: The detailed description of the procedures, techniques, and materials used in a research study. It allows other researchers to replicate the experiment.
Literature Review: A comprehensive overview of existing research and publications relevant to a specific topic. This helps researchers understand the context of their work and identify gaps in knowledge.
Abstract: A concise summary of a research paper, typically located at the beginning. It provides an overview of the study’s objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. Usually around 300 words.
Protocol: A standardized procedure or set of guidelines for conducting experiments or research. This is pretty similar to methodology. Protocols ensure consistency and accuracy in data collection and analysis.

What is research?

Research is the systematic and methodical investigation of a particular topic or issue to generate new knowledge, explore hypotheses, or solve problems. Any kind of research involves a rigorous process of data collection, analysis, and interpretation, often guided by a set of well-defined objectives and questions. Researchers aim to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, make evidence-based discoveries, and drive innovation in diverse fields, from science and technology to social sciences and humanities: a critical component of advancing human understanding and improving various aspects of society.

Different Types of Research:

There are various types of research, each serving unique purposes and applying specific methodologies. Two primary types of research are clinical and translational research.

Clinical Research: Clinical research is conducted to study human health and disease, involving human participants. This type of research typically includes clinical trials to test new treatments, interventions, or medical devices for their safety and effectiveness. Clinical research is vital for developing and improving healthcare practices, understanding disease mechanisms, and identifying potential therapies.

Clinical research opportunities are often much more limited for high school students, as clinical studies and trials require patient interaction, which involves strict rules and regulations.

Translational Research: Translational, also known as bench or wet lab, research bridges the gap between basic scientific discoveries and their practical applications in healthcare settings. It aims to translate scientific findings in the lab into tangible benefits for patients and the broader community. Translational research often involves moving scientific knowledge from the laboratory into clinical trials and eventually integrating the discoveries into medical practice.

Research mentors:

Research mentors play a pivotal role in shaping the success and growth of aspiring researchers. A mentor is an experienced individual, often a senior researcher or faculty member, who provides guidance and expertise to mentees as they embark on their research journey. One of the primary roles of a research mentor is to help the mentee identify their research interests and goals. Mentors also assist in the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, helping mentees refine their research ideas into feasible and well-defined projects. They offer critical feedback on research proposals and guide students in designing robust experimental methodologies or study protocols. Furthermore, mentors introduce mentees to networking opportunities and professional development activities. They may suggest attending conferences, workshops, or seminars to expand the mentees’ exposure to the broader research community and help them build valuable connections with other researchers.

Publication

The culmination of a research project (or any important finding) often leads to publications, where researchers write an article describing their experimentation and findings and publish in an academic journal. Before research findings are published, they undergo a peer review process. In this process, independent experts in the field critically evaluate the research methodology, data analysis, and interpretation to ensure the study’s validity and quality.