If being published doesn't matter, what does in research?

Being published matters. It's just not the end-all-be-all for applicants in terms of research experience. Having a sustained commitment to research is also very important.

Don't let anyone fool you...it matters a lot.

More importantly, this is basic knowledge that can be searched. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search.php?searchid=16614421

Edit: There have been about 70 active threads with the word research in the title in the past 40 days! This has to stop.

Bethany555 said:

Just by the application, two people could have written they did cutting edge cancer therapy targeting XYZ protein with XYZ instrumentation. However, one person could have been washing dishes the entire time (but could still effectively communicate the project in an interview).

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That's why they have you list contact information in your activity descriptions, to at least pretend that they'll do random spot-checks and verify with your emloyers that you have not embellished your duties .

JK (sort of)... anyway, all of the attributes that you listed (publications, presentations, research awards, length of time, etc) all cumulatively speak to how involved you were in the lab. I dare not put weights on each aspect of a research experience, as I'd be speculating at best.

Researchers spend years on projects and sometimes are not able to publish their results so trust me, it matters. Now obviously it matters more if you are a first or second author, compared to someone who had a limited role. Regardless, being published shows commitment, which is extremely important.

This thread was in narmerguy's search, but I would recommend you look at this link
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=577833

So it definitely matters if you have publications.

I wouldn't say it's completely out of the undergrad's control. Some of it is luck, but a lot of it is initiative.

Bethany555 said:

So how do adcoms view different peoples experiences as better or worse?

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Lizzy M has posted on this in the past:

LizzyM said:

I'd rank research experience in this way:


11. Housekeeping and supply ordering.

10. Helping others with projects, serving as a research assistant or technician.

9. Animal surgery.

8. Pilot work prior to writing a proposal for a testable hypothesis.

7. Responsibility for testing a hypothesis.

6. Funding of your project (not your PI's funding)

5. Poster presentation at a student event

4. Podium presentation at a student event

3. Poster presentation at a regional or national meeting in your specialty (published abstract)

2. Podium presentation at a regional or national meeting in your specialty (published abstract)

1. Authorship in a peer reviewed, national publication.

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It absolutely matters. When people say it does not, often they're saying that it's okay if you do not publish, but publishing should be a goal toward which you strive. Research not published is research not conducted, except for some abstract "learning experience". If you do not publish your research will have essentially contributed nothing to the world.

Narmerguy said:

Don't let anyone fool you...it matters a lot.

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+1

It basically legitimizes the work you've done.

Being published does matter. But adcoms can gauge your experience beyond just publications.

If you put down research in your app (especially published or for other big things like grants/Honors Thesis/etc), you will probably be asked about it in the interview. How you can talk about your research and your role in general will show the adcoms how much you understood and how big of a part you played in the project.

Being able to confidently talk about your research (both the overall and your role specifically) will help you a lot in the application process, even with no publications.

You have to be able to discuss your research, the finer details, and display a general enthusiasm of it. It's great if you had some control in the direction of the project and design of experiments.

It's easy to tell the difference between a student invested and excited about their research project, and someone who was just following protocols blindly not really understanding the big picture, or its implications.

ponyo said:

It absolutely matters. When people say it does not, often they're saying that it's okay if you do not publish, but publishing should be a goal toward which you strive. Research not published is research not conducted, except for some abstract "learning experience". If you do not publish your research will have essentially contributed nothing to the world.

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Publishing is good, indeed. But I think it is a little more nuanced.

When an applicant has a piece in a peer-reviewed journal, adcoms can rely on the strength and reputation (e.g. impact factor) of the journal to confirm the work you have done is interesting, ethical, well-written, contributes to our knowledge, has a minimal level of veracity in the methods, etc.. However, if that applicant gets their name on a publication, but cannot articulate the contribution of the project and their work in particular, the impact of their findings on the scientific community, etc. to the adcoms, then this is a waste of time. Don't think this happens? It does.

Publishing should not be your goal at your level of education. If you have to choose; learning good research skills, experiencing a positive academic culture, and having great research mentoring is WAY more important. If publications come out of this experience too - great.

When I say "if you have to chose", it is because you just might. I wish that all great labs for training were also great labs for getting publications and vice-versa. But this isn't true.

The good news is that getting a publication is not the only way to acquire evidence of meaningful research experiences as an undergrad. Indeed, it is a very convenient, and convincing way. But a great mentor can write an amazing LOR about your time in the lab even without a publication.

This route, you not only will have great success in applying, but great training that will help your future career.