How to find a scientist who researches a specific field?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to connect with scientists researching allergies, particularly in the context of a personal hypothesis regarding their causes and potential cures. Participants explore methods for finding relevant researchers and emphasize the importance of understanding existing literature in the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests conducting a literature search to identify existing research related to allergies and to find authors of relevant papers.
  • Another participant emphasizes the necessity of understanding existing science before proposing new theories, indicating that researchers may require evidence of prior research to engage with new ideas.
  • There is a humorous suggestion that curing allergies could lead to a Nobel Prize, but this is met with a reminder that recognition often goes to those who can prove the hypothesis through experimentation.
  • One participant encourages the original poster to share their hypothesis, assuring them that their ideas will be respected.
  • Another participant recommends using Google Scholar to find relevant literature and suggests verifying the credibility of sources and authors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of literature review and understanding existing research before reaching out to scientists. However, there is no consensus on the best approach to contacting researchers or the implications of proposing new hypotheses.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the potential for previous research to exist that may relate to the original poster's hypothesis, highlighting the need for thorough investigation before making new claims.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in allergy research, those with personal hypotheses in scientific fields, and anyone seeking to connect with researchers may find this discussion beneficial.

Steven Ellet
Messages
85
Reaction score
3
I have a Hypothesis on one potential cause for allergies and a potential cure based on that hypothesis. Unfortunately I have absolutely no way to test my hypothesis, Is there any way for me to get in contact with people studying that field?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
1) Literature search first! Maybe your new idea was published/tested 20 years ago.
2) When you've found the good, relevant papers similar to your idea, or in the field of interest, look at who wrote them.

It is really hard to come up with good new theories if you don't know the existing science first. That existing science typically comes from what the people you are looking for did a few years ago. When you do find them, you may need to convince them that you have "done your homework" for them to actually listen to your ideas.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman, russ_watters, Laroxe and 3 others
BTW, If you do cure allergies, you're pretty much guaranteed to win a Nobel prize.
 
DaveE said:
BTW, If you do cure allergies, you're pretty much guaranteed to win a Nobel prize.

Regardless of who proposed it, whomever implemented the experiments that proved the hypothesis would get it. Happens all the time. I know someone who couldn’t get funding to finish his work on GFP and 3 others were awarded instead, because they finished it and proved his hunch. There is no guarantee of anything.
 
Steven Ellet said:
I have a Hypothesis on one potential cause for allergies and a potential cure based on that hypothesis. Unfortunately I have absolutely no way to test my hypothesis, Is there any way for me to get in contact with people studying that field?

What is your hypothesis? We swear not to take your Nobel Prize ;)
 
docnet said:
What is your hypothesis? We swear not to take your Nobel Prize ;)
is that so... 🤨
 
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: Vanadium 50 and Motore
go to scholar.google.com and enter your thoughts as succinctly as you can. Verify the results beyond reading the title. Inspect author name. Cross reference the journal title with the ISI Master List and the Predatory Journals list.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Fervent Freyja and DaveE

Similar threads

The predictive brain (Stimulus-Specific Error Prediction Neurons)
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
Is MRSA as Dangerous as It Seems and How Can You Get Proper Testing?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
COVID COVID researchers discover why some people are asymptomatic
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Medical What Are the Dangers of Blindly Trusting Medical Professionals?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
H3N2 Influenza A variant in 2025-2026 more virulent
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
Medical FDA antidepressant warnings of suicide risk among kids may have the opposite effect
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
PFAS and Power Lines Cause Cancer?
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
10K
COVID Understanding COVID Quarantine Guidance
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Medical Scientists identify major safety issue with CRISPR
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
Mathematical process for protein folding
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K