• Question: How long would it take you to complete one of your studies?

    Asked by 07porterj to Vicki, Keith, Alastair on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Alastair Sloan

      Alastair Sloan answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      One of my experiments usually takes about 2 weeks from start to finish and one of my projects is due to finish in September and that study has taken 3 years!

    • Photo: Vicki Stevenson

      Vicki Stevenson answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Hi
      It depends on how complicated the work is! Sometimes we’re only given a few weeks to find the answer to a problem and sometimes we’re working on something quite complicated which can take over a year!

    • Photo: Keith Brain

      Keith Brain answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Many of the projects we run are on 3-year cycles. For our work, this won’t just be one experiment, but a series of different experiments using different techniques, not just aimed at testing one hypothesis, but at testing perhaps 5 or 6 similar ideas. In our lab we’ll have several projects running at anyone one time, but generally we’ll have at least one person who’s main focus is one of these projects.

      Each experiment lasts about the length of a standard working day; but for some experiments we have to start late at night – have some sleep – then continue of through the following day. So, experimental work can involve strange hours!

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