• Question: What is the first thing you do before an experiment?

    Asked by anon-197724 to Marleen on 2 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: Marleen Wilde

      Marleen Wilde answered on 2 Mar 2019:

      Before any experiment, I need to do some thinking of what I want to know and how I would likely get the answer to it. Based on that I decide what the experiment is gonna be, what I need for it in terms of equipment and sample size, and I am planning the setup. Some experiments have steps over multiple days, others only 30 min or 2 h. So basically I need to the planning of when I do and also do the calculations for my sample, so I know how much I need to measure out or prepare. And then I write everything up in a so called Standard Operating Procedure, so I have a reference to take with me in the lab to make sure I don’t forget anything and follow the same steps when I do the repeats of the experiment

Comments

  • Photo: Paddy

    Paddy commented on :

    Follow the SOPs and make sure you wear protective equipment. Prepare your reagents beforehand ; keep a Tablet or notebook to document everything you do since reproducibility in Science is critical