Photo by Alija, istockphoto
Someone once said that "Cooking is like chemistry. The right mix of ingredients can produce amazing results."
Many are afraid of stepping in front of a stove. The simple thought of putting an oven to preheat or setting a pot of water to boil can bring to mind images of wild flames and scorched eyebrows. Probably the most common fear is cooking something, only to find out that it tastes disgusting, but what many don't realize is that it takes a great amount of experimenting with different food, spices, and heat to become competent in the kitchen. This is what makes cooking a great springboard for developing researchers to understand the process of conducting a study.
Follow these guidelines to begin a fun and engaging research endeavor:
1. Start With Simple Dishes
The easiest way to become disheartened by a cooking venture is to begin with a difficult recipe. Stick to basic dishes and success is virtually guaranteed. Breakfast items like bacon, eggs, pancakes (using a ready-made mix), and sausage are typically the simplest to make because most of them don't require additional base ingredients. Conduct a search to find step-by-step instructions.
2. Plan Ahead
When beginning any type of investigation, it is important to plan ahead. Students and researchers alike often have busy schedules. Those who don't schedule time for their explorations risk not getting anything done. Be very specific about the type of dish that will be prepared and the time that it will be cooked. This may mean getting up an hour earlier to make eggs and bacon before a morning class or skipping the Friday night outing to prepare Pad Thai. Setting aside the time mentally prepares the researcher to view the project as valuable contribution to his development. Be sure to have the recipe ready ahead of time.
3. Recruit Co-Researchers
Food is always more exciting when there are others to share it with. Get friends involved to participate either as fellow cooks or as taste-testers. Someone with experience cooking may be able to help guide the process. Alternatively, recruiting someone without cooking experience can also relieve any pressure to create a flawless dish.
4. Keep a Research Question in Mind
The research question is central to conducting good research. It responds to the problem "What are we looking for? When it comes to cooking, there are many questions that can be asked. A few examples are: How long does this dish take to prepare? Does it taste better with one ingredient over another? Which style do tasters prefer (i.e., scrambled eggs, over hard, or over easy)? Was it easy to make? Willing adding certain ingredient a particular dish more flavorful? One cooking session may answer more than one question, but what is key is that the researcher take note of the ones he wants answered.
5. Record the Results
Taste the dish. Ask tasters how they liked it. Write down all responses. It is also worthwhile to keep a journal chronicling any experiences of motivation, frustration, satisfaction, etc. Take pictures too. They make great records and great memories.
Cooking can be a great research practice. It just takes a bit time, a bit energy, and a bit of patience. The more practice one puts in, the more skilled he will become. This will allow him to take more risks in the future, asking tougher questions (e.g., Can soy milk be substituted for cow's milk in pudding?) and becoming more adventurous in future cooking endeavors.
Comments