What should a layman who has made a new scientific discovery do?

Question

Suppose I made a new scientific discovery. Now I'm only a university student and unlikely to be able to get it published in a journal. So as a layman what can i do to be able to establish my claim as being the first person to make this discovery?

Answer 1

First, research (extensively) to ensure that you, indeed, have made a new discovery--you will probably be surprised to find that you are treading on very old ground. But if you have, first, find a way to verify (experimentally) what you have discovered, if you can do so with equipment that is readily available. At some point, you will need to enlist the help of a professor. As long as you have written documentation of your idea (even if it isn't fully fleshed out), a professor will be able to engage in joint research with you, and her standing will allow the two of you two publish (that is, a year or two from now, once you get the formal work done). Note that you don't need to worry about being the "sole" creator. Science isn't done that way anymore--something like 85% of all journal articles are multi-authored, and the ones that aren't are generally review articles anyway. Once you have documented your work, find a professor who you think you can trust and start collaborating.

Answer 2

Great question!

First, if you are talking about a discovery that is more like an invention, then you are going to want to start the patent process. It will take at least 5 years to get it and you are going to need a lawyer and somewhere around $10K to start with.

Second, if you are talking about a scientific discovery, as in the results of an interesting experiment or set of observations, you should try to publish it. I don't see any reason why you couldn't publish in a journal. there is no rule about who you work for. As long as your experimental design is sound, your data supports your hypothesis and it is well written, it should be accepted. Decide which journal you want to publish in, read several articles to get a feel for the style and look up the guide to authors for formatting.

The other option would be to go to a professor you like and have them co-author with you or give you advice.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter if you're a professor, an undergrad, or a patent office clerk, anyone can get published in a scientific journal - or not. It all depends on the quality of your research. If you write it up well, back up your arguments, and have the math and/or evidence to support your claims, you'll be fine.

Figure out which journal best suits your discovery (I wouldn't recommend Science or Nature; they are extremely difficult to get published in) and go to the journal's website. They have the submission guidelines and deadlines there. You can most likely submit your article online. Make sure you submit it in the correct format.

Then you just have to wait. They will either reject it outright or send it off to be reviewed by someone in the field.

Answer 4

i have come up against this problem a few times .. the trick everyone that has an intrest in the field ... if you tell everyone and document when you told them .. then that leaves very little room for any hustler to take the credit.. so if that thought ever becomes cash you have a good claim.. dont try the copyright root cuz until some captains of that industry agree its a neww step you just payed 1000$$ to get credit for a moot point.... the money and fame come when you are known as the athority writng books giving seminars ... true scienctist dont give a **** about money accept that it enables them to continue learning quicker ..new tools etc..

Answer 5

I might have to ruin everything for you here. But you say your a university student. If you came up with this new discovery while doing research in your university you do not own your discovery, your university does. Its one of the ways they make money!!

Answer 6

Get a copyright. Then you are protected legally and you can shop for someone to handle your 'discovery'. You can also vaguely describe it to a professor you trust and do a paper with them. That gets you published and a handler should be finding you soon.

Answer 7

("What to do if have made a medical discovery at homestead? ... that's on the subject rely of flora via ways.") --------------------------------------... you are able to evaluate chatting with a patent criminal expert and getting some criminal suggestion on a thank you to proceed with getting your thought or discovery correct dealt with. If there is an intensive to via college, you would be able to get a botanist professor that might actually assist you with getting the ball rolling. there's a criminal checklist, i think its referred to as a "nondisclosure" sort. You touch a school professor and tell him/her which you think of you have made a clean discovery regarding planets, and you need for him/her to evaluate the situation and propose a thank you to proceed to booklet, and doubtless even extra experimentation and learn, yet you need for this professor to sign a "nondisclosure contract" affirming that he/she would be waiting to no longer take your thought and advance it as his/her very own. Professors comprehend those issues and heavily isn't stricken via it. the unquestionably wording in the checklist itself would be plenty extra criminal and suitable than what I actual have stated right here. that's an contract, a freelance. yet that's what i could do. A nondisclosure contract protects you and your discovery from being commandeered and accepted to somebody else. you will get a replica of a nondisclosure sort at your interior reach library, yet you should consult from a patent criminal expert first. proper of success.

Answer 8

Write as much detail as you can in a hardbound notebook, sign and date it, get it witnessed, and protect it. Then, discuss it with trustworthy people knowledgable in the subject. University students often get published, but nearly always with a faculty sponsor/co-author.

Answer 9

unless you have dated proof you're SOL. Send a copy of notebook pages to yourself through the mail. Then they're date stamped at least. Also you need to have your data checked which means you need a recognised researcher to be able to repeat the experiment and get the exact result you did

Answer 10

Don't be surprised if you take it to your professor he might take credit for your work, be very careful. They do it all the time.