Did I do the right thing?

[coolcucumber91]

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I started research last fall and although I didn't come to research frequently, I started my project. However, the first few steps (this is all done by computer) is important because every data analyses stem from it. Since the lab was complicated and everything was done on the computer, I wrote everything done on how to do certain programs. A researcher that works under my mentor taught me how to do it, but he told me to do the wrong thing. Many times he could've saw the mistake but I guess he didn't know, so he didn't catch it. Since I wrote down what he told me to do, I did it.

However, 2 semesters later and having done 3 poster presentations, the same researcher emailed the research lab and said I made a mistake which meant everything I did was invalid. He didn't say it directly or blamed me, he simply said "coolcucumber did the wrong X". But I felt insulted because he didn't say sorry or anything, didn't take responsibility. My mentor was bummed out. At the beginning, I apologized and intended to talk to him privately later when I come back to school for summer classes. But because this was troubling me, I sent him an email saying that the researcher told me the wrong thing and I was following directions. But I did say regardless, it's me who have to start over and I told my mentor to not say anything to the researcher. I did say I'm to blame as well. I told my researcher I would work hard once the MCAT is over and get back to the point I'm in asap.

Did I do the right thing, or was I pushing the blame away?

 

[tiedyeddog]

I started research last fall and although I didn't come to research frequently, I started my project. However, the first few steps (this is all done by computer) is important because every data analyses stem from it. Since the lab was complicated and everything was done on the computer, I wrote everything done on how to do certain programs. A researcher that works under my mentor taught me how to do it, but he told me to do the wrong thing. Many times he could've saw the mistake but I guess he didn't know, so he didn't catch it. Since I wrote down what he told me to do, I did it.

However, 2 semesters later and having done 3 poster presentations, the same researcher emailed the research lab and said I made a mistake which meant everything I did was invalid. He didn't say it directly or blamed me, he simply said "coolcucumber did the wrong X". But I felt insulted because he didn't say sorry or anything, didn't take responsibility. My mentor was bummed out. At the beginning, I apologized and intended to talk to him privately later when I come back to school for summer classes. But because this was troubling me, I sent him an email saying that the researcher told me the wrong thing and I was following directions. But I did say regardless, it's me who have to start over and I told my mentor to not say anything to the researcher. I did say I'm to blame as well. I told my researcher I would work hard once the MCAT is over and get back to the point I'm in asap.

Did I do the right thing, or was I pushing the blame away?

What does it matter? You already did it....

 

[ShoTyme]

Sometimes in life the best thing to do is apologize, say you will do better next time, and fix the error. Swallowing one's pride is often difficult to do, but learning to do so will be of value all throughout life.

 

[plumhill]

People make mistakes. All you can do at this point is learn and try to make up for it. Don't let this shake your confidence too much. And I think you did the right thing by owning up and apologizing.

 

[Ashley1989]

Although what you did was justified I dont think you went about it in the right way.

When something like that happens you need to decide if you're going to say something, and then say it immediately or not say anything at all. That means the second your mentor emails you about it or pulls you into their office you apologize and express regret, and then state that you were instructed to do it that way, and that you will right your mistake. Dont accuse or point fingers, but explain why it happened. If something like this happens again I wouldn't wait until later on, let it fester, and then decide to say something because then it seems like you're trying to spread the blame. I think that in situations like this you have a small window of time to explain yourself, and if you don't do it within that time frame then you should just right your wrong and not say anything at all. No explaining later or roping in other people even if they share the blame. Either address it promptly or don't.

Please don't think im trying to beat you up about it at all, I don't think you did the wrong thing but I also don't think you went about it properly because now you might have sent the wrong message. You were put in a hard situation.

 

[coolcucumber91]

Although what you did was justified I dont think you went about it in the right way.

When something like that happens you need to decide if you're going to say something, and then say it immediately or not say anything at all. That means the second your mentor emails you about it or pulls you into their office you apologize and express regret, and then state that you were instructed to do it that way, and that you will right your mistake. Dont accuse or point fingers, but explain why it happened. If something like this happens again I wouldn't wait until later on, let it fester, and then decide to say something because then it seems like you're trying to spread the blame. I think that in situations like this you have a small window of time to explain yourself, and if you don't do it within that time frame then you should just right your wrong and not say anything at all. No explaining later or roping in other people even if they share the blame. Either address it promptly or don't.

Please don't think im trying to beat you up about it at all, I don't think you did the wrong thing but I also don't think you went about it properly because now you might have sent the wrong message. You were put in a hard situation.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Thanks for your honesty. I don't know, I don't mind starting over tbh, but I thought what's most important is my mentor knowing I was actually doing the "correct" thing in a way. But still, I don't want to take this lying down.

Okay, my email may have been accusatory since I also gave "evidence" and I regret it now. But if I didn't, since this was done by computer, this would have been hard to believe. But in the end, I said I'll fix it up and what was important to me was the fact he (my mentor) knew that it wasn't 100% my mistake.

Eh he didn't respond. I'm kinda regretting this even more.

 

[Ashley1989]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Thanks for your honesty. I don't know, I don't mind starting over tbh, but I thought what's most important is my mentor knowing I was actually doing the "correct" thing in a way. But still, I don't want to take this lying down.

Okay, my email may have been accusatory since I also gave "evidence" and I regret it now. But if I didn't, since this was done by computer, this would have been hard to believe. But in the end, I said I'll fix it up and what was important to me was the fact he (my mentor) knew that it wasn't 100% my mistake.

Eh he didn't respond. I'm kinda regretting this even more.

When did you send the email? He might just be busy. If I was in your situation and he doesn't respond within a few days I would send another email clarifying your intentions, that you are concerned that your last email gave the wrong impression of your feelings, and that again you will fix it. And then just let it be, I suppose..

 

[coolcucumber91]

When did you send the email? He might just be busy. If I was in your situation and he doesn't respond within a few days I would send another email clarifying your intentions, that you are concerned that your last email gave the wrong impression of your feelings, and that again you will fix it. And then just let it be, I suppose..

I sent the email saying I was sorry on Friday. Monday he responded and right after I sent the email I was talking about. This was on Monday morning. I'm probably just worrying and he's busy most likely.

I read over the email and what I wrote wasn't as accusatory as I thought. So I feel better

 

[Perrotfish]

I started research last fall and although I didn't come to research frequently, I started my project. However, the first few steps (this is all done by computer) is important because every data analyses stem from it. Since the lab was complicated and everything was done on the computer, I wrote everything done on how to do certain programs. A researcher that works under my mentor taught me how to do it, but he told me to do the wrong thing. Many times he could've saw the mistake but I guess he didn't know, so he didn't catch it. Since I wrote down what he told me to do, I did it.

However, 2 semesters later and having done 3 poster presentations, the same researcher emailed the research lab and said I made a mistake which meant everything I did was invalid. He didn't say it directly or blamed me, he simply said "coolcucumber did the wrong X". But I felt insulted because he didn't say sorry or anything, didn't take responsibility. My mentor was bummed out. At the beginning, I apologized and intended to talk to him privately later when I come back to school for summer classes. But because this was troubling me, I sent him an email saying that the researcher told me the wrong thing and I was following directions. But I did say regardless, it's me who have to start over and I told my mentor to not say anything to the researcher. I did say I'm to blame as well. I told my researcher I would work hard once the MCAT is over and get back to the point I'm in asap.

Did I do the right thing, or was I pushing the blame away?

Personally I would have covered for the Grad student unless he was openly malicious or in the habit of harassing you. This is an extracurricular for you, its a career for him. The most you could gain from this would be a slightly stronger letter of recommendation. He could lose the respect of an adviser that he is inexorably tied to through graduation and beyond (if he graduates).

There's nothing to do about it now, but you might face similar situations in the future. In general, I don't think you should risk hurting someone in a really significant way for a minor personal gain, even if you're in the right. Just my personal ethics.

 

[BiopsychStudent]

You have nothing to feel bad about. Someone else should have been checking your work.

The grad student or whoever already admitted their mistake if they sent their email to the lab - they probably feel worse than you do. You already got 3 posters out of it; what are you trying to prove?

 

[coolcucumber91]

Personally I would have covered for the Grad student unless he was openly malicious or in the habit of harassing you. This is an extracurricular for you, its a career for him. The most you could gain from this would be a slightly stronger letter of recommendation. He could lose the respect of an adviser that he is inexorably tied to through graduation and beyond (if he graduates).

There's nothing to do about it now, but you might face similar situations in the future. In general, I don't think you should risk hurting someone in a really significant way for a minor personal gain, even if you're in the right. Just my personal ethics.

I agree too. If his job was at risk I wouldn't have sent the email. I highly doubt that he would lose his job, based on the character of my mentor. But he isn't the most responsible worker and showed a lack of caring in the work he is doing. Which is why I was upset. Such a simple and avoidable mistake yet he overlooked that.

Also, I doubt he sent an email apologizing. I'm sorry I can't really explain more than this; that's just the way he is.

If I can do over this week, I would've not sent the email based on what you guys said (which is right). But I did and can't send it back so I wanted to see what you guys thought. And the purpose of my email was to prove my credibility; but also I specifically said not to blame the person and that I would take care of it.

But yeah, you guys are right

 

[Perrotfish]

I agree too. If his job was at risk I wouldn't have sent the email. I highly doubt that he would lose his job, based on the character of my mentor. But he isn't the most responsible worker and showed a lack of caring in the work he is doing. Which is why I was upset. Such a simple and avoidable mistake yet he overlooked that.

Also, I doubt he sent an email apologizing. I'm sorry I can't really explain more than this; that's just the way he is.

If I can do over this week, I would've not sent the email based on what you guys said (which is right). But I did and can't send it back so I wanted to see what you guys thought. And the purpose of my email was to prove my credibility; but also I specifically said not to blame the person and that I would take care of it.

But yeah, you guys are right

Well if it makes you feel better I think most of us have done something similar at least once. I know I have given some residents pretty terrible evals on clinicals for, what looking back were pretty petty issues. Thankfully but not surprisingly of them got fired for it, and I doubt your grad student will have any serious problems in his career either.

 

[Ashley1989]

OP stop beating yourself up, if anything it will give the researcher a good kick in the arse to be more careful but I really don't think he's going to get in trouble or that you will be vilified by anyone. You seem like a very nice person and I'm sure your mentor as well as researcher would agree.