How does research really work?

[deleted988749]

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So in my lab I'm basically promised a lesser authorship if I help my grad student with his work. The problem is I'm just doing techniques and data analysis, not getting anything intellectual out of it. I know my project well, but I simply don't have the knowledge to make good suggestions for the project. The way this is going down my PI will just hand me a project after my current project is done and I'll just do grunt work for the PI under the guise of it being an "independent" project. I don't understand how people do summer programs and get a project in it enough to do a poster presentation. How do I get a more intellectual role in the lab?

 

[Goro]

Do you understand why you're doing what you're doing?

What hypotheses are you testing?

If you don't get this, then you merit nothing more than an acknowledgement for "expert technical assistance".

If yes, then you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, at leats in terms of what med schools want out of you.

BTW, research is overrated as an EC. Pre-meds do it because, frankly, other pre-meds do it.

 

[deleted988749]

Do you understand why you're doing what you're doing?

What hypotheses are you testing?

If you don't get this, then you merit nothing more than an acknowledgement for "expert technical assistance".

If yes, then you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, at leats in terms of what med schools want out of you.

BTW, research is overrated as an EC. Pre-meds do it because, frankly, other pre-meds do it.

I know the hypothesis and what the experiments are for.

 

[Goro]

I know the hypothesis and what the experiments are for.

Then learn all can you learn, read up on all the background, and see what flows from that.

Keep in mind very few pre-meds get a publication from their research.

 

[narla_hotep]

Sounds like you're doing all you can in the actual lab for now, but I second Goro's suggestion to do more reading. Start with papers by your lab, so you know your PI's research and the rationale behind your project forward and backwards. Then branch out to other papers within the same field. Maybe the reading will help you start having your own ideas, so you can come to the PI or the grad student you work with and say, "well what if we tried this instead of that?" or "what if we branched out the project in a different direction?" That way, you may eventually end up with an offshoot of the individual project that becomes uniquely your own. Or if all else fails, just talk to the PI and ask if you can either get a different independent project or get a bit more ownership in the one you're currently working on.

 

[DNAJB6]

BTW, research is overrated as an EC. Pre-meds do it because, frankly, other pre-meds do it.

Isn't this true of 99% of pre med ECs? I bet reviewing thousands of nearly identical applications is fairly monotonous.

 

[Goro]

Isn't this true of 99% of pre med ECs? I bet reviewing thousands of nearly identical applications is fairly monotonous.

If only there was something to tell you what med schools want from you.

Oh wait, it's called the admissions website:

Admissions Interview

medicine.temple.edu

Before You Apply

While the students admitted to HMS reflect an extraordinary diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests, and backgrounds, they also share many things in common. They are self-motivated, visionary in their ambition, and compassionate in their approach to the art of healing.

meded.hms.harvard.edu

Selection Factors

Admission to Harvard Medical School is very selective. We seek students of integrity and maturity who have concern for others, leadership potential, and an aptitude for working with people. The Committee on Admissions evaluates applications based on several factors, including the following:

meded.hms.harvard.edu

Most med schools state on their admissions websites that they expect you to engage in acts of altruism and patient contact. Some do not expressly state that you have to do research, but some do:

The Office of Admissions

medicine.utah.edu

 

[Rachapkis]

So in my lab I'm basically promised a lesser authorship if I help my grad student with his work. The problem is I'm just doing techniques and data analysis, not getting anything intellectual out of it. I know my project well, but I simply don't have the knowledge to make good suggestions for the project. The way this is going down my PI will just hand me a project after my current project is done and I'll just do grunt work for the PI under the guise of it being an "independent" project. I don't understand how people do summer programs and get a project in it enough to do a poster presentation. How do I get a more intellectual role in the lab?

When you graduate from college and graduate or medical school, you feel (somewhat) accomplished and ready for important and meaningful work. In some ways you are: you will be trusted to do the basics of your profession. However, you are not yet ready to do the same tasks as someone who has been in their career for two decades. If you learn the basics and commit to being a team player, you will gradually rise through the ranks to lead those who follow in your footsteps. Keep doing your best, learn from your mistakes, and you will rise over time.

 

[deleted998607]

So in my lab I'm basically promised a lesser authorship if I help my grad student with his work. The problem is I'm just doing techniques and data analysis, not getting anything intellectual out of it. I know my project well, but I simply don't have the knowledge to make good suggestions for the project. The way this is going down my PI will just hand me a project after my current project is done and I'll just do grunt work for the PI under the guise of it being an "independent" project. I don't understand how people do summer programs and get a project in it enough to do a poster presentation. How do I get a more intellectual role in the lab?

You're going about this the right way, the logical way...which is totally wrong, yet, understandable since you are still in undergrad.

Three years into med school and I've finally understood that productivity and "intellectual" involvement does not come through hard work and dedication. It's all about targeting the right PI, and then doing MINIMAL WORK while kissing @$$. I've seen FAR too many casualties work on projects for 2+ years with no end in sight, while classmates pop an Addy, do some late night stats, and then get a publication with a round trip ticket to San Diego for a conference.

I know, I wish I was joking, too. But this is real life. It's all about finding the right PI.

 

[narla_hotep]

You're going about this the right way, the logical way...which is totally wrong, yet, understandable since you are still in undergrad.

Three years into med school and I've finally understood that productivity and "intellectual" involvement does not come through hard work and dedication. It's all about targeting the right PI, and then doing MINIMAL WORK while kissing @$$. I've seen FAR too many casualties work on projects for 2+ years with no end in sight, while classmates pop an Addy, do some late night stats, and then get a publication with a round trip ticket to San Diego for a conference.

I know, I wish I was joking, too. But this is real life. It's all about finding the right PI.

Choosing the right PI is definitely important, but sounds like someone's just a leeeetle bit jaded from their own bad experience...

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

So in my lab I'm basically promised a lesser authorship if I help my grad student with his work. The problem is I'm just doing techniques and data analysis, not getting anything intellectual out of it. I know my project well, but I simply don't have the knowledge to make good suggestions for the project. The way this is going down my PI will just hand me a project after my current project is done and I'll just do grunt work for the PI under the guise of it being an "independent" project. I don't understand how people do summer programs and get a project in it enough to do a poster presentation. How do I get a more intellectual role in the lab?

Worked on 5 projects in undergrad. Due to author limitations, I was cut from all 5. Gathered data, did stats, and contributed to the manuscripts. Unfortunately the graduate student was basically a genius and all faculty in the department wanted authorships on the papers because they were going to journals like Nature and Cell.

It was a very humbling experience, and I don't have any hard feelings. I loved my PI and the lab.

I took that experience and used the same work ethic in medical school. Ended up with a publication in PNAS (not Nature, but still awesome).

Only do research if you enjoy it, it can be a grind. I wouldn't be the researcher I am today without this experience.

That time behind me, now a resident, I'm not an advocate for cutting people out of papers. Quite the opposite, now I include everyone I can on my papers, haha.