Real-Life Decision Making
Michael Steinitz needs to make a variety of decisions as a research physicist.
These decisions often involve considering a topic for his research projects.
While engaged in his doctoral studies many years ago, he faced what he describes
as the perils of selecting a hot topic as a research project.
Steinitz was feeling frustrated that his doctoral research project was
the same as other scientists' work.
"After seeing my PhD project appear in print over someone else's name
twice, I considered choosing between entering the diplomatic service, abandoning
science or proceeding with a new topic," Steinitz says.
Of course, Steinitz says, he stuck with his career of science. From there,
he needed to decide what to do about his next research project.
"I had to choose whether to choose another exciting topic, on which others
might also be working, or to choose something pedestrian, not as exciting,
but on which I would not face as much competition," Steinitz says.
If you knew there was another scientist working on a project
similar to the one you wanted to do, what would you do?