Article One Featured Researcher: Margaret Bennett
Posted on Wed, Apr 06, 2011
A professional public speaker and paralegal from New York, Margaret Bennett is this week’s Featured Researcher. Bennett first learned about Article One while conducting legal research, and has a degree in Legal Studies.
She asserts that her legal background helps her with understanding the “legalese” used in patent writing. Since her original major in college was Industrial Technology, she enjoys the challenge of looking for prior art and constantly learning new things (as well as the possibility of a cash reward!)
Article One Partners: What did you enjoy while researching your most recent study?
Margaret Bennett: I loved that I was so caught up in everything cube corners for six weeks. I had no idea how many different industries used retro-reflective sheeting until I got involved my study. The research took me from railroads to outer space - it was so interesting!
AOP: How do you choose which studies you participate in?
MB: I have an interest in healthcare, and I know a bit about mechanical technology. If I can read the patent and fully understand it, then I proceed.
AOP: In which language(s) do you conduct your research?
MB: I research solely in English for now. I have been starting to read scientific literature in Spanish so as to learn the scientific terms, hoping to be able to submit Spanish prior art into my personal tool box soon.
AOP: What advice would you give to a new Researcher participating in his/her first Article One Study?
MB: Have a separate notebook for each study, always define the terms, look for synonyms and alternative terminology, and never give up. Also, read about the previous researchers interviewed by Article One. Stacy Anderson-Redick (EagleEye) gave good advice when she said start a study with a logical chain of research possibilities, and then follow through starting with the patent, then similar patents, and then journal studies.
As a new researcher I wanted to jump right in and find non-patent prior art right away because that was what was requested, but Stacy’s point is that you need to know the whole subject matter first so you can recognize what would make the non-patent prior art you found relevant. That one point changed my whole focus. There is so much to learn here on this site, and I would suggest that new people read the interviews, and devote time to reading the forums and taking notes from some of the other experts.
AOP: What would you say to somebody who was considering becoming an Article One Researcher?
MB: I would say try it as you have nothing to lose and so much to gain. You will improve as a researcher, build on your knowledge base, and the possibility of a financial reward will keep you motivated.
Read about other Featured Researchers: