Dumb question: The meaning of "publication"

[stylerprodigy]

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Hi, I have a question about the meaning "publication". I'm in an honors program that requires research and thesis writing. Before I graduate I must defend my thesis and undertake a binding process so that my thesis becomes a permenant part of my school's library and the Honors College archives. Is this what "publication" mean? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

Tyler

 

[ChocolateKiss]

Hi, I have a question about the meaning "publication". I'm in an honors program that requires research and thesis writing. Before I graduate I must defend my thesis and undertake a binding process so that my thesis becomes a permenant part of my school's library and the Honors College archives. Is this what "publication" mean? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

Tyler

Nope, sorry. A publication is in a scientific journal. A rule of thumb: if it doesn't pop up on Pub Med, it doesn't count 😀

 

[LizzyM]

Hi, I have a question about the meaning "publication". I'm in an honors program that requires research and thesis writing. Before I graduate I must defend my thesis and undertake a binding process so that my thesis becomes a permenant part of my school's library and the Honors College archives. Is this what "publication" mean? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

Tyler

No. Usually it means appearing as a journal article or as a chapter in a book. Results of research experiments usually appear as journal articles; a review of the literature on a topic may appear as either a journal article or as a chapter in a book that is produced by a publisher for sale to the public (and not by a "vanity press", by the way).

 

[BasesofHumanity]

What constitutes a publication are as follows:

1. Published in a periodical that is mass produced and
2. The work is reviewed and approved by a group of peers (other scientists)

 

[stylerprodigy]

Thanks for the clarification. Are theses good to have at least? Does it tell the Adcoms that I go beyond just doing research and actually do something with the information I gain from research? The research I am doing deals with neurology, an area I am looking forward to.

 

[chandelantern]

Thanks for the clarification. Are theses good to have at least? Does it tell the Adcoms that I go beyond just doing research and actually do something with the information I gain from research? The research I am doing deals with neurology, an area I am looking forward to.

You have to write a thesis anyway, why not try to submit something to a journal to see if you can get it published? Or check out some conferences and see if you could maybe submit an abstract (this isn't a publication, but it is contributing to the scientific community.) To answer your question, yes, your research will matter and you can include that you wrote and defended your thesis on yada yada but I wouldn't put it as a seperate item on your AMCAS, just put it under your research experience.

 

[deuist]

"Publication" means published in a journal or presented at a conference. Your thesis will not count unless unless you can get a peer-reviewed journal to print it.

 

[relentless11]

if it doesn't pop up on Pub Med, it doesn't count 😀

Not all things are registered on Pub Med. Like books/book chapters, newly formed journals, and some conferences that do not publish in their respective journals.

Yes the more "prestigious" journals are on Pub Med, but knowledge isn't just focused in Critical Care Medicine, NEJM or JAMA articles. Pre-meds should focus on developing and expressing their creative knowledge, not worry about being published in something that appears on Pub Med.

Publication = proof of your work, but really a letter of rec from your research professor can work too. All in all, research/publications is icing on the cake. Can't hurt you, but the major driving force behind getting one into med school is your whole application.

I recommend to the OP, that they look for a journal to publish in, local/national conference for presentation, or a local journal. Some schools publish their own journal. In my opinion, despite not being "peer-reviewed" by experts in the field in these journals, it is still a publication since these are produced in relatively large quantities compared to say a thesis. If no publication option is available, recommend getting a LOR from someone who mentored your research.

 

[skypilot]

I would count any published work as publication including fictional writing and non scientific published articles.

Of course they are not part of your scientific background but they do demonstrate motivation and writing ability and would be important to any admissions committee.

Thesis wouldn't count unless it is published somewhere but I would include it in your application anyway!

 

[Flopotomist]

You have to write a thesis anyway, why not try to submit something to a journal to see if you can get it published? Or check out some conferences and see if you could maybe submit an abstract (this isn't a publication, but it is contributing to the scientific community.) To answer your question, yes, your research will matter and you can include that you wrote and defended your thesis on yada yada but I wouldn't put it as a seperate item on your AMCAS, just put it under your research experience.

Best advice ever. If the thesis is fairly decent - there is SOME journal somewhere that will publish it. It might not be very prestigious, but yeah - get that thing published!

 

[stylerprodigy]

Thank you so much. I guess maybe after I successfully finish and defend the thesis then I can ask my principal investigator if he can help? Maybe I can be a copublisher?

 

[ChocolateKiss]

Thank you so much. I guess maybe after I successfully finish and defend the thesis then I can ask my principal investigator if he can help? Maybe I can be a copublisher?

It's very rare to publish on your own as an undergrad. You almost always will publish with someone else. If it's primarily your research, you will be first author, but your PI will be last author/corresponding author.

Good luck!