How to "ask" for publications?

[FreeWeezy]

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So I thought I did research during undergrad (spent 3 years doing research) at a top academic institution. But all I seemed to do is write grant proposals and sort through data. When med school apps came along, I had one poster presentation to show for my work.

I've shadowed a group a doctors in an area of interest at my current medical school who seem to publish quite a lot. I'd also like to contribute, but hopefully this time get published. How exactly does this work? The research area is surgical. Can I somehow subtly ask up front if I can have my name on a paper? Also, how exactly would I contribute to surgical research if I'm not a surgeon? Lastly, approximately how many hours a week should I realistically expect to allocate to research?

Thanks so much!

 

[qmcat]

The following thread may help:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=837113

 

[mdeast]

So I thought I did research during undergrad (spent 3 years doing research) at a top academic institution. But all I seemed to do is write grant proposals and sort through data. When med school apps came along, I had one poster presentation to show for my work.

I've shadowed a group a doctors in an area of interest at my current medical school who seem to publish quite a lot. I'd also like to contribute, but hopefully this time get published. How exactly does this work? The research area is surgical. Can I somehow subtly ask up front if I can have my name on a paper? Also, how exactly would I contribute to surgical research if I'm not a surgeon? Lastly, approximately how many hours a week should I realistically expect to allocate to research?

Thanks so much!

I think being direct isn't a bad thing- better for you, and better for the doc to understand how he can help you. Something along the lines of "I'm really interested in this "specialty here" and want to do research with you. I also realize that my time is valuable as a med student with the workload that I have and "specialty here" is competitive. So, I want to work on a project that I could get realistically produce a publication out of in said time frame."

 

[bomgd3]

Yup, just be direct. "I hope to publish the results of my work." Bam.

 

[rxnfiend]

Lastly, just to add a quick point - They are willing to help you publish because you will do 90% of the work and they will still get their name on it. It is beneficial for them if you publish so just be upfront about it and they will definitely help you with it.

 

[justdoit31]

I think most physicians will realize if you spend your time researching with them that you are going for the publication- I would suggest asking if there were any projects they were working on and then if so asking what is the publication potential.

I know before I even started my project (in a non-surgical specialty) the doctors said they wanted to publish our results and get you the publication as well so I could potentially get into their residency program and fellowship- turns out after a summer of pulling and organizing data they gave me first authorship but did the majority of the writing process and got it submitted for conferences.

So OP be honest, a good research mentor knows there is equal benefit to getting the research experience and getting in on your CV to land whatever residency you want.

 

[SocialistMD]

Ask them if they have any projects in which you could help them.

 

[Perrotfish]

Lastly, just to add a quick point - They are willing to help you publish because you will do 90% of the work and they will still get their name on it. It is beneficial for them if you publish so just be upfront about it and they will definitely help you with it.

If you do 90% of the work on something there's usually no question about whether you get published. The problem, and undergraduates face it a lot, is when you do 10% of the work on a whole lot of different things. You're putting in the hours, but because they keep giving you small pieces of different projects rather than most of one project it's tought to get your name on a paper.

OP, I agree with being really direct. If it helps, I think you generally get the best reaction if you make it sound like you're looking for advice: "I would like to get a publication to show residencies my interest in reaseach. I know you have a lot of experience with research, how do I make that happen?". Physicians like to be mentors. Also, I think the other key is to try to get on a project where you're doing the majority of the work. If there are 10 medical students putting in hours in some massive data mining projects you probably want to walk away from that.