Sample interview questions: How do you approach the design and optimization of experimental controls in biophysics research?
Sample answer:
Approaching Experimental Control Design and Optimization in Biofísica Research
1. Understand the Research Question and Hypotheses:
* Clearly define the specific question being addressed and the hypotheses being tested.
2. Enumerate Known and Suspected Sources of Variability:
* Consider all experimental steps that could contribute to variation in data (e.g., sample preparation, instrument settings, environmental conditions).
3. Design Multiple Control Groups:
* Include both positive and negative controls, as well as appropriate blanks and standard samples. This will help detect any systemic errors or limitations in the experimental setup.
4. Introduce Randomization and Blinding:
* Randomly assign samples to experimental groups to mitigate bias and ensure representative data. Blinding researchers to treatment groups can prevent conscious or unintentional influence on results.
5. Select Statistical Tests and Sample Sizes:
* Choose appropriate statistical tests based on the experimental design and data distribution. Use power analysis to determine the minimum sample size required to detect a significant effect.
6. Monitor and Optimize Experimental Conditions:
* Regularly monitor experimental conditions (e.g., temperature, pH,… Read full answer