How to report research hours?

[alphamine]

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Hey guys,

So I'm a sophomore at a community college (don't worry, I've already gotten accepted into a 4 year uni for this fall), and at the end of my freshman year I was approached by one of my professors to assist in testing new physiological equipment he received. During this time, he told me that if I were interested in this equipment to use for research, I could do so (EKGs, EMGs, GSRs, pulse plethysmography...etc.) And I did just that. For almost a year now I've been designing and conducting IRB-approved research on, to put it extremely generally, the vagus nerve. I am still in the data collection phase, but I haven't recorded any hours and am wondering how I can do so.

I have spent a significant amount of time on this project. What counts toward the hours? Last year, I probably spent about 10 hours a week for a month just researching to find a subject on which I COULD research. Then I spent maybe the same amount per week for a couple of months writing up a plan, figuring out my variables, researching on different calculations...I then worked on the IRB application through the first month or so of my sophomore year and worked on the actual experimental design and procedural steps, as well as analysis steps (maybe 15 hrs a week for a month). Then I worked about 15 hours on a presentation for a conference at which I presented. I waited until January, which was when I received the IRB approval, to actually start data collection. I have since done about 3 hours total (it isn't that long of a procedure).

I know this is fairly long but I honestly have no idea about which parts count toward research hours. If my calculations are correct, this comes out to about 200 hours. Is that too much? I plan to do more research when I transfer to my new university, which may result in more hours.... I don't want it to sound ridiculous on my application. But I'm interested in research. That's why I want an MD/Ph.D...

So...I guess what I'm asking is..could someone please advise on which parts of this entire process count toward the hours? Is it only the data collection part?

 

[Ad2b]

To me, from the moment you started writing the plan to now is all research and possibly the time spent on literature research prior as well.

 

[alphamine]

Thanks, @Ad2b . I wonder if there are any other possible answers out there?

 

[ifnotnowwren]

200 hours is not ridiculous. If you are concerned that you don't have anyone to corroborate that, talk to the person letting you use his equipment, ask him if that sounds like a reasonable number given all that you've done, and if not, what he thinks is an appropriate number. When you list extra curriculars on AMCAS you have to give a contact person and contact information. If you continue the research, you will add those hours. You also have to give a time span for when those hours were complete, no one is going to think twice at 15 hours/week. Experiment design and lit review count as research, definitely. PIs don't just get paid for time in the lab.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

^I completely agree. Just use your best judgment about how many hours you've done so far and keep track going forward.

I would count all of your hours, including the time you spent researching potential projects and planning the project you chose. All of that time was essential to getting to where you are now with your project.

Definitely don't worry--200 hours is not a ridiculous number, especially if you're applying MD/PhD. I applied with 6,000+ hours (I'm a nontrad, working full-time in clinical research) and didn't even apply MD/PhD! If you're interested in research, having strong EC's in this area is the perfect way to show it.

 

[alphamine]

Thanks everybody! Really appreciate this great advice!