My story and questions about research

[Verloren]

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I've looked at other threads but none of them really answer my questions.

I have worked in a lab for one semester and one summer for credit (6 units total) and now I am working there and getting paid. I hope to stay for at least a year total.

(1) Does it make a difference if I am paid or if I do it for credit? Like if I get paid will it not count as research? (I realize this may be a ridiculous question) 😳


(2) Will med schools favorably take into account the longevity of my stay at a lab if I don't get published? Does knowing the material, being able to explain it and describe why I like it really matter that much? I feel like I've read that in a lot of places...but somehow that seems really optimistic to me 😕


(4) How do you know when the work you're doing is "dish-washing" and when it is something at all worth mentioning?



(5) But would he be allowed to write a rec for me for this school if he's a faculty member? Would that be a conflict of interests or something??

(6) Would that tiny side project I mentioned be worth putting on my resume?




(7) Are there any fields in which there are more research opportunities? Any research that's particularly fun/involves patient interaction?

Mille grazie if you answer at all, and if you answer all of them.

 

[BerlinDude]

1. No
2. Yes
3. You know best.
4. You'll know it when you see it.
5. Yes, no.
6. You know best.
7. Research involving patients is boring. Basic science is where the fun is.

 

[Narmerguy]

I'll do my best.

1) No it doesn't really matter. This is up to you. Often people prefer the credit because usually research is an A or at least A-. As such, the GPA boost is highly favorable. They pay is never good enough anyway and if you're going to become a doctor, just keep front loading all your debt anyway because you'll have ample ability to pay it off in the future (hopefully that is...)

2) Yes. They seem to be interested in how interested YOU are in your topic and how much involvement you have in the creative process.

3) This is not necessarily "dish-washing" but it is not exactly a project with a lot of your own creative input. This is ok because a lot of research opportunities for undergrads begin this way but keep in mind that your creative involvement in the research is the most important part.

4) Hard to say. As we're all undergrads we have to know our limitations (this was hard for me starting out). It's impractical to expect to just create some project and then carry out publishable research on it under your PI's dime. However, some work is very much lab-rat work and this usually involves cleaning supplies or just running experiments without an understanding of what or why you're doing it. You have to try to get as much as you can out of the limited experience we're allowed.

5) Not usually. It would actually be a boon if he has any kind of personal sway our clout with the school.

6) Not your resume, per se, but you can incorporate it into your essays about your research experiences or why you want to go to that school.

On the whole publishing things, don't put too much stock in it. Researchers always declare a potential for publishing because that's the currency of the research world. Sure there's a possibility but I'd be skeptical of what your chances are. Generally, the longer you're with a lab, the better your chances of getting published.

7) It really depends what you have access to and how willing they are to cooperate with you. Clinical research may involve more patient interaction but I'm skeptical of how much contact you would be allowed for liability reasons.

Hope this helped

 

[shiftingmirage]

(1) Does it make a difference if I am paid or if I do it for credit? Like if I get paid will it not count as research? (I realize this may be a ridiculous question) 😳

I say no. Research is you in a lab working on a given project. In my mind, whether you get $ or credit is not in the definition of research.

As for getting published, lots of UG's who do research don't get published, let alone first author. If it happens, great, if it doesn't, no beggie. Don't be worried about presenting a poster. You will 'present' when you do rounds, and having confidence is good. Just do your thing, it'll go fine.

(2) Will med schools favorably take into account the longevity of my stay at a lab if I don't get published? Does knowing the material, being able to explain it and describe why I like it really matter that much? I feel like I've read that in a lot of places...but somehow that seems really optimistic to me 😕

If you are talking about 4 yrs versus 1 semester, than yes, but if you're talking about 3 yrs versus 2, I don't think so as it often depends on when you join the lab, and some labs you need stuff you learn sophomore year.

Like I said above, lots of UGs don't get published. If you aren't published, you are in the majority. Getting published is a + but not doesn't deter from your app as most don't.

(3) Is this "dish-washing" work? I guess it does require some skill, like being able to identify the cross section of a bone, being able to spot mistakes. But sometimes I worry that that's just me trying to convince myself that I'm not a "dish-washer." 😳If you can't answer my specific question, how about this:

You use 'skill' in a manual manner, research is more about the thought process than the physical test tube mixing.

(4) How do you know when the work you're doing is "dish-washing" and when it is something at all worth mentioning?

Dish washing is pretty literally dish washing. I was the only student in my lab, I did all the dish washing, I also did 80% of the research. Think of a list of all the things you do in the lab. If it's a long list of bench stuff, you're fine.

(5) But would he be allowed to write a rec for me for this school if he's a faculty member? Would that be a conflict of interests or something??

I think it would actually look worse if you are missing the letter.

(6) Would that tiny side project I mentioned be worth putting on my resume?

Do you have something better to put there? Why not. As long as you can explain what ya did, and ya did it, seems fine to me.

(7) Are there any fields in which there are more research opportunities? Any research that's particularly fun/involves patient interaction? Just trying to narrow down my choices. I kinda want to do something with kids...🙂

If you're interested in kids, I would avoid geriatrics. Within a given field, the PI will have their own interest. Read the research descriptions and see what appeals to you.

 

[Verloren]

Wow. You are all amazing for spending a chunk of your life reading this post and answering.

THANK YOU