How to 'ask' to be included on a publication...

[bonsaipalmtree]

I've been working on the same research project with the same PI for almost two years now, and it's getting time to start writing the paper. Finally!

However, my PI has never mentioned (either way) as to whether or not I'll be included as an author on the publication. I've been involved with the study from recruitment all the way till now and have been very (probably overly) dedicated to the project. I'm fully willing to help write the actual publication.

I'm looking for any suggestions as to how to politely broach the subject with him. I'm getting ready to start medical school and the publication would help my resume very much.

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ChiDO]

you'll be included, don't worry.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

if you are doing that much i heavily doubt it'll be an issue, putting coauthors don't hurt PIs one bit. if you're that worried, i personally broach it as a "when do you think this will get accepted, i would love to have an authorship for med apps..."

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

I'd really like to make sure he intends on including me, just because on my last research project, the PI was a jerk and I got zero credit for any of my work, which included some of the writing 🙁

that said, I'd like to cover my bases, this time around. Do you think it's really inappropriate to just flat out ask for inclusion? Or perhaps to just be very proactive about it and offer to help with writing the article, to assure a publication...

 

[FluffyRabbit]

I'd really like to make sure he intends on including me, just because on my last research project, the PI was a jerk and I got zero credit for any of my work, which included some of the writing 🙁

that said, I'd like to cover my bases, this time around. Do you think it's really inappropriate to just flat out ask for inclusion? Or perhaps to just be very proactive about it and offer to help with writing the article, to assure a publication...

I would ask to be actually involved with writing the article, since it's good practice, it's a lot of fun, and it's kind of obvious that you should be listed as an author in that case. I mean, you have a copy of the draft right there, just scroll up and see if your name is on it.

Alternatively, I guess you could just ask if you will be included.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

You could say to your PI: "I have dedicated a lot of time and effort to this project and I am really interested in being a co-author; what more can I do to be included as one?"

 

[phoenixsuns]

if you don't want to ask straight out, what i did was say "i was just wondering how or if i would be included in this at all? i'm starting to get my medical school apps in order and they want specifics about research and publications and things like that"

but honestly you can just ask him. PI's realize how important publications are for your resume, much more than med students do

 

[RookTookIt]

but honestly you can just ask him. PI's realize how important publications are for your resume, much more than med students do

Maybe this is generally true, but it certainly isn't true of my current PI. In fact, he thought it mattered less to me than to other people. I guess I'll give the specifics.

When it came to paper-writing time for a project I have been on, my boss was considering me and one other person as an author. I have been working with him very closely toward the end of this project. All figures but one are my experiments and my images. Also, I will do a decent portion of the writing, but we will split that responsibility. If his English were better, he would probably be doing almost all of the writing.

The other possible author ("John") provided a lot of help at the beginning of the project. He provided the animals and then helped set up colonies and plan experiments. He never, however, did any experiment or interpreted any result. He has not been a part of the project for >1 year.

My PI wanted to give John the authorship and not me. His reasoning:
John wants to stay in basic research for his whole life and you want to go into medicine. An authorship will be more useful for him in his career.

 

[Morsetlis]

It amazes me how many people don't inquire about authorship on publications before embarking on a research project.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Maybe this is generally true, but it certainly isn't true of my current PI. In fact, he thought it mattered less to me than to other people. I guess I'll give the specifics.

When it came to paper-writing time for a project I have been on, my boss was considering me and one other person as an author. I have been working with him very closely toward the end of this project. All figures but one are my experiments and my images. Also, I will do a decent portion of the writing, but we will split that responsibility. If his English were better, he would probably be doing almost all of the writing.

The other possible author ("John") provided a lot of help at the beginning of the project. He provided the animals and then helped set up colonies and plan experiments. He never, however, did any experiment or interpreted any result. He has not been a part of the project for >1 year.

My PI wanted to give John the authorship and not me. His reasoning:
John wants to stay in basic research for his whole life and you want to go into medicine. An authorship will be more useful for him in his career.

I assume you mean first authorship, since there's no reason why both of you can't be included. It does happen like that sometimes, but it depends on the PI - thankfully some have the idea that the first author should be the one who actually did the most work. 🙂

 

[RookTookIt]

I assume you mean first authorship, since there's no reason why both of you can't be included. It does happen like that sometimes, but it depends on the PI - thankfully some have the idea that the first author should be the one who actually did the most work. 🙂

You are quite right -- it was a first authorship.

As follow up, I did end up with the first authorship. The PI was genuinely trying to help the other guy and honestly thought that it wouldn't matter to me. He wasn't malicious or anything. When I explained the situation, I got the first authorship and more of the actual writing responsibilities. But, I would have saved myself a lot of stress and worrying about whether or not my boss hated me if I had just spoken to him in the beginning and let him know what was important to me.

Bottom line: even though it can be awkward, you have to have the talk with your PI and say that you're interested in being on the paper and ask what you can do to ensure that.

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I think I'm just going to honestly tell him about my interest in being included as an author and ask what more I can do to ensure authorship. I think that will be a positive way to do it, rather than insulting or bothersome. I've already been accepted to med school with no piblications, but im sure it'll help my chances for a residency.

Thanks again!

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

Updating this post, for anyone interested in publishing.

I talked with my PI about being included on the various publications and abstracts for presentation that are going to come out of our study. I am going to be included on some of them, thankfully, but that was only true after I brought up the question and discussed it with my PI. I told him how important publications are for my career and this seems to not have dawned upon him.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend that anyone interested in being included in a publucation discuss it with his or her PI at the beginning. It saves a hell of a lot of awkwardness later on.

Good luck to all the future scientists out there.