ABSTRACT
Very few universities allocate projects arbitrarily or by lot on the grounds that these are the fairest methods. Most chemistry departments abide by the maxim of the early 19th century British navy and believe that one volunteer is worth ten pressed men. The project should be selected only after careful evaluation of the varied aspects of project work that can contribute to a project’s success. Important considerations are the feasibility of the project itself and how it relates to the time and facilities available for its successful completion. Many lecturers exhibit very different characters when supervising research projects than when lecturing to large classes or even tutoring small groups. Reactions may be allowed to continue overnight at the expense of lower yields, but kinetic experiments must have sufficient time for setting up and completion in a single laboratory session.
