Abstract
From recent commentaries about the role of basic behavior scientists in translational research, I distill some advice to young investigators who seek to apply their basic science training to translational studies. Among the challenges are (a) devising use-inspired research programs that complement, and are not redundant with, existing efforts in basic and applied behavior analysis; and (b) making tactical decisions, such as the selection of methods and collaborators, based on the research topic rather than, necessarily, the existing traditions in behavioral research. Finally, it must be recognized that although use-inspired basic research has the potential to attract support to basic laboratories and contribute to ‘‘saving the world,’’ neither of these outcomes is guaranteed. I discuss the relative risks for basic scientists who proceed with use-inspired basic research rather than ignore such translational questions.
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One of the nicest honors in science is to have capable people react thoughtfully to your work. I am grateful for comments on an article about translational basic science (Critchfield, 2011) by the following distinguished scholars: Marc Branch, Iser DeLeon, Alan Neuringer, Carol Pilgrim, Alan Poling and Timothy L. Edwards, and Timothy Vollmer. The purpose of the present article is to amplify, and in a few instances to contextualize, their insightful comments.
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Critchfield, T.S. To a young basic scientist, about to embark on a program of translational research. BEHAV ANALYST 34, 137–148 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392245
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392245