Is this consider research or should I look elsewhere?

[bjt223]

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I am hoping if you can help me out. I am trying to figure out on how to categorize on these experiences for medical school application. The first one is being a research assistant for a project and helps build a database called the ORIEN (Oncology Research Information Exchange Network) Avatar program for a cancer comprehensive hospital. My current role consist of reading pathology reports, shipping and sorting specimens for genomic analysis, and collaborating with doctors and researchers on how to expand projects. Eventually I would have look into building a database with genomic analysis. So my question is, would this consider as a research experience? Or should I look into medically related project for research?

 

[Engrailed]

I am hoping if you can help me out. I am trying to figure out on how to categorize on these experiences for medical school application. The first one is being a research assistant for a project and helps build a database called the ORIEN (Oncology Research Information Exchange Network) Avatar program for a cancer comprehensive hospital. My current role consist of reading pathology reports, shipping and sorting specimens for genomic analysis, and collaborating with doctors and researchers on how to expand projects. Eventually I would have look into building a database with genomic analysis. So my question is, would this consider as a research experience? Or should I look into medically related project for research?

I wouldnt say lab research but could be clinical research!

 

[Catalystik]

I am hoping if you can help me out. I am trying to figure out on how to categorize on these experiences for medical school application.

1) The first one is being a research assistant for a project and helps build a database called the ORIEN (Oncology Research Information Exchange Network) Avatar program for a cancer comprehensive hospital. My current role consist of reading pathology reports, shipping and sorting specimens for genomic analysis, and collaborating with doctors and researchers on how to expand projects. Eventually I would have look into building a database with genomic analysis. So my question is, would this consider as a research experience?

2) Or should I look into medically related project for research?

1) Does this project have a hypothesis? What are you trying to prove or disprove? To be considered "research" you need more than just building a database. If you're not sure, ask for a copy of the IRB application or the grant proposal.

2) Hypothesis-based, scholarly research need not be medically-or even science-related to be of value on a med school application.

 

[LizzyM]

This is the equivalent of washing glassware. I know because I read path reports and shipped specimens when I was just starting out. It can be listed as "research" but it is very low level. To get to the next level, you need to have a hypothesis or at least have a goal.
Unlike Catalystik, I do think that database building with information on human genome (or the genome of other species, even) is valuable. It is like writing the language - to- language dictionary before you can begin working on translations.

 

[bjt223]

This is the equivalent of washing glassware. I know because I read path reports and shipped specimens when I was just starting out. It can be listed as "research" but it is very low level. To get to the next level, you need to have a hypothesis or at least have a goal.
Unlike Catalystik, I do think that database building with information on human genome (or the genome of other species, even) is valuable. It is like writing the language - to- language dictionary before you can begin working on translations.

Am I better off to find another research project? Am I wasting my time with this one?

 

[LizzyM]

If you want to formulate a hypothesis, test it, and report the results, then find another project. If you just want to tick the box "research experience acquired" or are just taking a job to pay the bills, what you've described is fine.