Book review: Become A Scientist: Ask the Right Sequence of Questions, Renuka Rajasekaran, reviewed by Prof. B. Viswanathan, Bulletin of the Catalysis Society of India, 11(2012)1–2
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Book Review
Become
A Scientist: Ask the Right Sequence of Questions
Author: Renuka
Rajasekaran
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller e.K.
ISBN 978-3-639-32778-6, paperback, 200 Pages
ISBN 978-3-639-32778-6, paperback, 200 Pages
It is surprising to
this reviewer that one can generate a coherent and fully informative text on
this special topic. The author has
brought her skills and knowledge into a successful compilation through her extensive
original research in this book.
The book takes the
statement of Aristotle that ‘it is in
the answers to the questions that we ask our knowledge exists’ and goes to
prove how this will be true. In eight distinct chapters, the author
has brought out the complicated and confusing concepts of question and
appropriate answers which we can research today; she demonstrates how the
questions are generated and how once the question is available the answers will
be certainly found out. This exercise
is demonstrated with a number of most appropriate examples like the
introduction of the Polaroid camera and also the current famous theories of
relativity from that of a falling man.
It is surprising to
note that the reinventing the wheel takes so much of our resources but still
the activity continues. This can be an
eye opener for many of us who seem to indulge in so called research which may
border in the domain of reinventing the wheel.
The author has clearly explained the four stages of research activity
and has shown to the readers how this activity has to be pursued.
The concept of
discovery has been adequately dealt with in Chapter 2. The essence of this chapter is reflected in
the following lines “Questioning not only initiates a movement towards knowing
that is intelligent and rational but also is a guiding methodology by which we
discover all future knowledge.” This chapter rightly points out that the
practice of questioning is a human desire to know and that when expanded
properly leads to unrestrictedly to know everything.
The next chapter on
questioning not only recognizes the cognitive components that generate
questioning but also inspire reflections that automatically lead to simple
solutions. This chapter will be a great treat for all of us who toil to
question mostly in non-coherent settings.
Schemas of questioning
attributable to Aristotle, Dillon, Lehnert, Graeser and Eris are discussed in
Chapter 4. It has been identified that the schema of Dillon stands unique and
the details of this schema have been outlined in detail in Chapter 5. The
applications of Dillon’s schema are demonstrated with adequate examples in Chapter
6. In Chapter 7, the author goes on to demonstrate how Dillon’s schema can be
adapted for technology- and design-oriented issues which is great relevance for
today’s world which hovers around multifunctional devices. In the final
chapter, the author presents and delineates the Ten Commandments for Data
Prospecting in Sciences and even comments on the nature of databases that must
be able to satisfy the aspirations of the generation.
On the whole, the
author has placed a wealth of not only information but also practice with
appropriate examples which can truly inspire young questioning minds. In a nutshell, the author has done a great
service to the scientific community which has been most often in wilderness.
As has been pointed out
in the preface by Dennis L. Carpenter, Ed. D. Assistant Superintendent, Newton
County School System that “Written in simple English, this book takes the
reader through the joyful voyage of scientific discoveries to the new shore of
Knowledge Discovery to enhance the quality of the world in which we live. Yes.
Data prospecting is sure to offer new jobs!! Read Dr. Rajasekaran’s Become a
Scientist: Ask the Right Sequence of Questions to explore these.” There
cannot be a better prescription than this to recommend this book.
B. Viswanathan
Professor
National Centre for Catalysis Research
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Chennai-600 036, India
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