Is it acceptable to contact senior people suggested literature?

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I saw a postdoc at a small workshop, and heard him state his research interests. I didn't speak to him in person, but I later contacted him via email, asking whether he has suggested literature on those topics. I haven't yet received a response after a while.



Is it considered unacceptable to contact someone like this, immediately asking for suggestions on literature?










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    I saw a postdoc at a small workshop, and heard him state his research interests. I didn't speak to him in person, but I later contacted him via email, asking whether he has suggested literature on those topics. I haven't yet received a response after a while.



    Is it considered unacceptable to contact someone like this, immediately asking for suggestions on literature?










    share|improve this question























      up vote
      1
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      1
      down vote

      favorite











      I saw a postdoc at a small workshop, and heard him state his research interests. I didn't speak to him in person, but I later contacted him via email, asking whether he has suggested literature on those topics. I haven't yet received a response after a while.



      Is it considered unacceptable to contact someone like this, immediately asking for suggestions on literature?










      share|improve this question













      I saw a postdoc at a small workshop, and heard him state his research interests. I didn't speak to him in person, but I later contacted him via email, asking whether he has suggested literature on those topics. I haven't yet received a response after a while.



      Is it considered unacceptable to contact someone like this, immediately asking for suggestions on literature?







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      user99265

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          It is perfectly acceptable to ask for information. His lack of a response could be due to a couple of things. One (most likely) is that he is just busy and this has low priority for him. The other, of course, is that he feels you should be able to find the answers yourself based on the phrasing of the question you asked.



          If it has been less than a couple of weeks, I think you can still expect an answer. You can always follow up, of course, but not too soon.



          You might also be able to get an answer you need from anything published at the workshop. It might be good to start that in any case.



          And, BTW, a post-doc is probably chuckling a bit to be considered a "senior" person. They feel pretty far down the pecking order, actually. But even full professors can be asked, and will often reply.






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            1 Answer
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            It is perfectly acceptable to ask for information. His lack of a response could be due to a couple of things. One (most likely) is that he is just busy and this has low priority for him. The other, of course, is that he feels you should be able to find the answers yourself based on the phrasing of the question you asked.



            If it has been less than a couple of weeks, I think you can still expect an answer. You can always follow up, of course, but not too soon.



            You might also be able to get an answer you need from anything published at the workshop. It might be good to start that in any case.



            And, BTW, a post-doc is probably chuckling a bit to be considered a "senior" person. They feel pretty far down the pecking order, actually. But even full professors can be asked, and will often reply.






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              4
              down vote



              accepted










              It is perfectly acceptable to ask for information. His lack of a response could be due to a couple of things. One (most likely) is that he is just busy and this has low priority for him. The other, of course, is that he feels you should be able to find the answers yourself based on the phrasing of the question you asked.



              If it has been less than a couple of weeks, I think you can still expect an answer. You can always follow up, of course, but not too soon.



              You might also be able to get an answer you need from anything published at the workshop. It might be good to start that in any case.



              And, BTW, a post-doc is probably chuckling a bit to be considered a "senior" person. They feel pretty far down the pecking order, actually. But even full professors can be asked, and will often reply.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                4
                down vote



                accepted







                up vote
                4
                down vote



                accepted






                It is perfectly acceptable to ask for information. His lack of a response could be due to a couple of things. One (most likely) is that he is just busy and this has low priority for him. The other, of course, is that he feels you should be able to find the answers yourself based on the phrasing of the question you asked.



                If it has been less than a couple of weeks, I think you can still expect an answer. You can always follow up, of course, but not too soon.



                You might also be able to get an answer you need from anything published at the workshop. It might be good to start that in any case.



                And, BTW, a post-doc is probably chuckling a bit to be considered a "senior" person. They feel pretty far down the pecking order, actually. But even full professors can be asked, and will often reply.






                share|improve this answer














                It is perfectly acceptable to ask for information. His lack of a response could be due to a couple of things. One (most likely) is that he is just busy and this has low priority for him. The other, of course, is that he feels you should be able to find the answers yourself based on the phrasing of the question you asked.



                If it has been less than a couple of weeks, I think you can still expect an answer. You can always follow up, of course, but not too soon.



                You might also be able to get an answer you need from anything published at the workshop. It might be good to start that in any case.



                And, BTW, a post-doc is probably chuckling a bit to be considered a "senior" person. They feel pretty far down the pecking order, actually. But even full professors can be asked, and will often reply.







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                edited 2 hours ago

























                answered 2 hours ago









                Buffy

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