How hard could it be, right?

How hard could it be, right? Under that impression I started this project with TeamVERO in November. It was clear what should be measured, namely the effectiveness of a nebulizer/mask system in terms of aerosol deposition. Moreover, there was an idea how this could be measured. The experimental setup seemed logical and realistic. Well, nothing was less true, unfortunately. Over time we discovered more and more factors that influence the experiment. At least once a week we encountered a problem, came up with a solution for that specific problem, and then found another problem. I felt that the setup was adapted a million times, but still did not work for our research. The main problem was that the instruments were not meant for measuring liquid aerosols and under varying pressure. After five weeks, we decided to carry out our experiments on the best setup, considering the available time. 

A learning goal of mine was to process and analyze the data, since I have followed only one or two courses on statistics during my bachelor. This part of the research seemed even more less straightforward than setting up the experiment. A lot of data was gathered and a lot could be said about the results. During this part of my BEP, I learned to clearly define what you would like to examine, but more importantly, what you do not want to examine. Since there were many possibilities to compare the data, you could easily lose the overview and forget the ultimate goal.  

It goes without saying that research never comes without challenges. More essential in doing research is how you will overcome these challenges. Staying motivated is a key factor to succeed in research. Luckily, thanks to Team VERO and the collaborating experts, it was not hard to stay enthusiastic. During my BEP, I learned to always argue the choices you make. For instance, when deciding on which influential factors you will take into account or which data you will exclude or compare. Despite the fact that the outcome was not the desired result, I look back on a useful and educational experience. I enjoyed working on this project with Team VERO and to be introduced to the process of experimental research.