» Research/Analytical Skills

This is another area that is vital to any career and, in truth, to daily life. Problem-solving and planning skills, as well as literature skills, can be utilized regardless of the type of work in which the physiologist is engaged. Time and resource management are crucial to life at work and home. Skills in experimental design, while of most necessity to the scientific researcher, also can be useful in other careers, and information technology skills must be constantly upgraded in all professional fields. Many of the skills in this section are often categorized as critical thinking skills, underscoring their generality and applicability to many fields of endeavor. Research and analytical skills are important for physiologists working in all career areas.

Major Skills	A Trainee will understand the importance of and work to develop
A. Problem solving/reasoning	Ability to conceptualize problems Ability to brainstorm (and question) ideas in a group Ability to combine and integrate information from disparate sources Ability to break down and understand complex content Ability to solve problems by staying current and up-to-date in new technologies Ability to use troubleshooting skills Ability to identify irregular results Ability to evaluate hypotheses and data critically Ability to reach and defend independent conclusions Knowledge of appropriate qualitative approaches to research problems Ability to express a problem or solution using quantitative approaches Ability to generate multiple solutions Ability to develop creative solutions (divergent thinking) Ability to support a position or viewpoint with argumentation and logic ability to interpret data validly
B. Planning	Ability to prioritize tasks Ability to identify needed resources Knowledge of how to implement and manage all phases of complex research projects and follow them through to completion Knowledge of how to develop and implement a budget
C. Experimental design	Knowledge of the scientific method to organize and test ideas and hypotheses Ability to recognize meaningful problems and questions for research Ability to define the problem precisely Knowledge of different research methodologies Ability to select appropriate instruments to acquire data Skill in designing experimental protocols, including appropriate use and number of experimental subjects Understanding of the principles and procedures for institutional approval for use of animal/human subjects Skill in evaluating experimental evidence Ability to draw conclusions from data (data analysis)
D. Informational technology	Skill with computers, both software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Internet, email) and basic equipment setup Ability to select appropriate graphical methods and appropriate use of graphical representations Proficiency in information storage and retrieval Knowledge of and ability to use large information databases, including ability to search databases effectively
E. Data analysis	Knowledge of and ability to select appropriate statistical approaches Ability to determine accuracy of computed results
F. Time management	Organizational skills Ability to prioritize tasks and troubleshoot Ability to plan a project timeline Knowledge of how to track projects
G. Resource management	Ability to organize resources for projects Knowledge of how to maintain equipment/work area Knowledge of inventory and supply maintenance Knowledge of personnel management (see section 7) Ability to manage contracts and negotiate with outside vendors
H. Scientific literature	Familiarity with the research literature of physiology, including familiarity with major historical developments Ability to read the primary literature Ability to keep abreast of major research developments both within a particular research area and in the general area of physiology Ability to locate and assimilate new information rapidly