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Slow Learners as Researchers

So, I have this theory that there are two kinds of learners: fast and slow.  Fast learners learn from the mistakes of others.  Slow learners feel they must make all the mistakes themselves in order to learn from them.

I feel like grad students are forced into being slow learners when it comes to research.  Why must each student struggle through every phase of the research process instead of working in teams and getting the job done better and faster?  Why not let those who actually enjoy stats do that piece, get someone who's a wizard at methods to do that piece, and so on?

While I wouldn't argue that it's important for those planning to continue on in academia to have experience with each piece of the research process, for the rest of this method comes down to not having the opportunity to learn from others' mistakes and instead learning just from your own.  For those of us that make lots of them (speaking from experience) this can prove most frustrating.  Still pondering ways to change the system!

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