The initial spark

By 2010-09-01T00:00:00

A scientist

Adam Maltese from Indiana University and Robert Tai from Virginia University interviewed 116 scientists from across the US to find out what made them take up a career in science

Adam Maltese from Indiana University and Robert Tai from Virginia University interviewed 116 scientists from across the US to find out what made them take up a career in science.1

The researchers contacted practising and retired scientists, either by phone or in person, from academia, industry, government and representing different ethnic groups. They used a software package, NVivo, which categorises the text according to common phrases or key words, to analyse the results. The 'initial' spark that led these scientists along their respective career paths came down to familiar influences.

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