I recently posted a thread about struggling to find research opportunities and got some very helpful responses. Now I have another quandary: I have the opportunity to get involved in some public health (non-science) research. Although I do belive the research is really interesting, it's not my ideal situation. Since a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush do you think it might be beneficial to begin that research while continuing to pursue the clinical research opportunities I have been seeking? To those of you who have been involved with research in med school, is it too hectic or scattered to be working on two different projects at once?
Research in two fields at once
- Thread starter wsxedc
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While trying to learn and publish in two fields is probably too much for someone to try to take on while simultaneously trying to do well in medical school, I would more importantly like to disabuse you of the notion that public health research is not science. It is absolutely science. Working and publishing in public health research is in no way inferior to running gels or a Taqman pool. You should do the research you want, but I would recommend against walking around and telling people that you turned down a public health research project because it wasn't "real" science.
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Though you make a very valid point, I think OP may have meant it's not basic science, or bench science.
Doing even ONE research project along with regular school work can be very challenging. I tried it out for a while and my performance in both started to deteriorate. It's possible, but you need some serious discipline. I'd recommend sticking to one project you know you can make an impact in. Again, a publication would be nice and a bonus, but think of it as a way of making contacts and finding a mentor.
