leftoverresearchquarterly

From:

I am currently in the process of mapping out and writing my Ph.D. thesis. My advisor told me to deliberately leave an unanswered question and/or hole in the narrative. I was confused by this and questioned this. His reply: "When you become a PI in your own right, you want somewhere to start." I know this is not exactly what you meant in your question, but I think it goes to the same point: how many times have you, in your research, found a dusty folder of random clippings / faded manuscript / packet of data that nothing really was done with that sets off something in your mind, gives you insight or sets you off in a new direction? This has happened to me multiple times. When you leave stuff behind - data or its conspicuous absence - you are creating a starting point for yourself or someone else later on.