What should we prepare for attending a symposium?
Attending a symposium is necessary for junior researchers to broaden their academic horizons. This process includes knowing what we are doing, where we are heading, and who we are going to be.
1. Picking interested topics and comprehending the abstracts.
Generally speaking, several speeches will take place at the same time, so we need to determine which topics are related to or will benefit our research the most.
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In our research journey, we are often stuck by the limited resources of samples, an inaccurate estimating process, or unsatisfactory interpretation of our results. Through other research works can we have an inspiration on how to overcome these difficulties.
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Please don’t forget to read the abstracts, in advance, offered by the speakers and, most importantly, compare our research methods to the speakers — thinking what makes the results of the speakers more publishable?
2. Recording the speech and taking notes.
A voice record is always the best memo. However, we can still take a note — seize every chance — to improve the abilities to comprehend a long, informative, and academic speech. If the unfamiliar accent or poor listening ability (like me) restrains you to understand, just note the conclusion or summary down to see what’s striking to you.
1. What is the research gap in the study?
2. Do you have the same goals as the speaker?
3. Which methodology is better?
3. Reflecting on what we are lacking.
Doing research requires hard skills such as data processing, coding, and basic statistics, which are vital in making progress. Meanwhile, it is converting our outstanding and complicated works into a simple idea that makes the listeners have a quick grasp on what to discuss and how they can help.
In the near future, you would, definitely, have the chance to stand on the stage and deliver your own work to the audience with no related background. Absorbing others’ presentation skills helps you accumulate experiences on how to speak.
A conference is about the place gathered by people who have professional knowledge to make the research questions solved. Enjoy every opportunity to learn!
