Boosting research activity is not only critical for a researcher to advance in their role but helps bring breakthrough innovations to a field. But it’s easier said than done, right?

The sheer volume of information available and the catastrophic consequences of missing out on relevant information becomes daunting for many researchers. Filtering useful information from the ever-increasing pool of information can be time-consuming and challenging. There may even be times when you feel burnt out. 

But, being a researcher comes with the constant pursuit of new knowledge and discoveries. So how can you maximize your research potential and push beyond boundaries?

1. Continuously learn and adapt

Attending conferences, workshops, and courses help you learn about the latest technical literature in your field to stay ahead of the curve. While we are on the topic of learning and adapting, how about innovating by adopting the solutions that already exist for the problem of your interest?

Suppose your R&D manager asked you to research how drones’ battery life can be improved. But, the solution already exists. However, the existing solution may only solve half of the problem, or the solution hasn’t achieved commercial success. Therefore, you plan on understanding the level of existing solutions and providing innovative ideas beyond them. 

This is where Catalyst can help – it provides a better understanding of what is already being solved within the topic and how. Further, it offers curated technical knowledge from patents discussing these solutions, thus, negating the chances of you reading detailed reports for hours to identify useful information.

2. Network and Collaborate 

Collaboration with other researchers is the best way to stay on top of innovation trends, knowledge, and methods. Hence using the collaborative approach of open innovation, one can work with external partners, such as other researchers, businesses, and customers, to develop new ideas and solutions. 

This process isn’t something out of the blue! Don’t you reach out to your teammates for a different perspective on an idea, so why not up it a notch and do that externally?

By working with other researchers, you can pool their resources and expertise and collaborate on projects that would be impossible to tackle alone. As a result, you can discover new methods, tools, and technologies that will help you stay on top of the latest developments in your respective fields. Whether you’re working on a specific project or just looking to expand your horizons, open innovation can help you boost research activity and achieve your goals more effectively.

Conclusion

The research process can be challenging, but by utilizing the right tools and strategies, researchers can overcome obstacles and boost their research activity. Today, embracing open innovation can help researchers tap into new sources of knowledge and creativity and lead to new discoveries and advancements in their field. 

As a result, your R&D team will spend more time analyzing the information than its collection. This increases research productivity and expedites the launch of the product and the addition of new features. 

Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting out, taking advantage of open innovation can help you achieve your goals and unlock your full research potential. Don’t know where to start with the open innovation strategy? 

Here’s a list of 36 Open Innovation Platforms to find solutions for your industry problems. And if you want to skip the queue in these platforms and want personalized options regarding collaboration opportunities.

Authored by: Annie Sharma, Editorial team