Managing Research Projects during Medical School

[hotwasabi]

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[Ebola4Breakfast]

Two months is sufficient for a pub if you have a considerable amount of luck, a mentor who isn't going to dick you out of authorship, and a project that actually provides info that you can explain. Good luck with all that happening simultaneously.

TL;DR: probably not... But it's also not impossible either

 

[pd1112]

Totally project dependent, so without more details, it's impossible to know.

 

[LoveIR]

Good for you getting started early! Overall dedicated research time is nice, but for the most part you just have to make time in the afternoons/evening/weekends to work on research.

In my opinion 2 months is enough time to get all the data, assuming there is already an IRB in place and that you are credentialed. But once you have the data you have to wait for the statistician, then you have to write up the manuscript, then wait for PI to approve it, then make edits, then submit somewhere, in a few months they get back to you and say to revise and re-submit, so you collect more data...etc. In my experience, going from "here is an idea for a project" to getting it accepted for publication takes about 1 year.

 

[pd1112]

It will be extremely difficult to compose a manuscript in the fall once you start M1. If possible, I would get the IRB approved ASAP, complete the literature review, write the introduction, and establish the methods - all BEFORE the two month period. If this is all done AND you can complete the data collection in one month, then you might have a chance to have a manuscript done by the end of the second month. I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just speaking from my own experience with research during premed and M1-M2. It's time consuming and very difficult to balance with the adjustment to classes. If it's a field you're interesed in, and you really begin to enjoy the project, you should be able to chip away at it during the fall and maybe finish it over winter break. You'll also need to have a good working relationship with your mentor, so you can have efficient communication when questions and issues arise (they will, constantly).

 

[Amba]

It will be extremely difficult to compose a manuscript in the fall once you start M1. If possible, I would get the IRB approved ASAP, complete the literature review, write the introduction, and establish the methods - all BEFORE the two month period. If this is all done AND you can complete the data collection in one month, then you might have a chance to have a manuscript done by the end of the second month. I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just speaking from my own experience with research during premed and M1-M2. It's time consuming and very difficult to balance with the adjustment to classes. If it's a field your interesed in, and you really begin to enjoy the project, you should be able to chip away at it during the fall and maybe finish it over winter break. You'll also need to have a good working relationship with your mentor, so you can have efficient communication when questions and issues arise (they will, constantly).

All great points. I would also note that the writing portion will go infinitely faster if you have written a scientific manuscript in the past. If not...then good luck doing it in a month on top of classes.

 

[VanGoghNeuro]

I am interested in neurosurgery and began neuroscience research in October of my MS1 year. In the second semester, I began two neuroanatomy research positions and signed on for a clinical neurosurgery project (mostly chart review). It is a lot, usually too much and I don't do anything but study and do research but to me it's worth it. If you need a considerable amount of research, I would do the bench work over the year and write the publication manuscript over the summer (that takes more work and concentration to me than the bench work). But this is an ideal scenario.

 

[trino]

During the first semester of med school you'll figure out how much time you have and what you can devote to research. My recommendation is to get involved with a project only after you have taken your second test. Then keep adding projects as time arises.

FWIW, I started on a chart review the end of first semester, am now involved in a clinical trial, and planning on doing something different/long term over the summer. My projects overlap a bit, but I try to keep the time frame separate as much as I can so things don't keep building on each other.

Please keep in mind to keep some time for yourself. You never want to feel like you are missing out on things other people are doing because of research. It will make you miserable, no matter how driven you say you are.