Quiet Brainstorming: Expecting the Unexpected

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown has given us time to reconsider some of the approaches we use for generating research ideas. We propose a set of three critical "E" processes-extract, expose, and evaluate-for an individual researcher to replicate team brainstorming.

Figure 1

A Citation Network Can Allow Us to Generate Creative Ideas (A) The system of citations and references naturally creates a consensus network between the authors of the articles, in a way similar to a team brainstorming. The arrowhead designates the flow of ideas in either a brainstorming or a citation network. (B) Following the chronology of publication allows us to extract and expose the structured flow of ideas in the literature and the progressive nature of inspirations. (C) Exploring the citation network against the central tendency can expose articles (e.g., “e” and “f”) that escaped researchers’ attention in the main current but, when evaluated for an unusual connection, might generate new creative ideas.

Figure 2

Revisiting Experimental Results Can Generate New Ideas (A) Illustration of dormant research opportunities that become active with adjustment of our perception. (B) Schematic of connections between our targets and the career stage of our peers. (C) Three “E” processes as applied in the network of our peer researchers.