Neuroscience is by definition a multidisciplinary field: some scientists study genes and proteins at the molecular level while others study neural circuitry. A single topic such as the auditory system can be studied using techniques from genetics, imaging, biochemistry, or electrophysiology. A young scientist must learn how to read the primary literature and then develop their own experiments. This book offers that scientist an overview of mainstream research techniques, provides guidelines on how to choose one technique over another, offers tips on analyzing data, and provides a list of references for additional detailed study. This book can also assist an experienced scientist understand published studies conducted outside their own subfield. It is written by Stanford University graduate students in neuroscience to provide a 'hands-on' approach for other neuroscience graduate students. In this book, techniques within one field will be compared so that user can select best technique for their experiment. Its chapters include references (key articles, books, protocols) for additional detailed study.
The book also features Data Analysis boxes in each chapter to help with data interpretation and offer guidelines on how best to represent results. 'Walk-through' boxes that guide students through the experiment step-by-step are also included.