Summer research-bench research or case studies?

[pls accept me]

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Hi, I'm a first year who is talking to some pathology professors about doing research over the summer with them. However, I don't know who to work with.

1. Basic science or case studies/surveys? If case study/survey, aim for first author?
2. How important is name? But even if they don't have name, they might have more time to work with me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[yaah]

In general, having the research exposure is the best thing. If you get published, a nice bonus, but don't do research just to get published. Most people like to see that you are trying the experience, etc. Publications can come later in your career. Do something you are interested in. I wouldn't worry so much about name, just find someone who is willing to tolerate you and mentor you instead of just leaving you to your own devices.

 

[forsparta]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but do case studies and such hold the same value as bench? For example, if I could be first author on a case study but a late co-author on a bench paper, which should I take?

 

[KCShaw]

Value to who, for what?

Generally, do what you think might interest you. You're more likely to follow through, which is far more important than what you start or piddle around in. Far too much "research" time is spent in the absence of critical thinking or follow-through in terms of publication or simply how the results do or don't fit in with the bigger picture, or the project dies from lack of interest.

There will always be programs or individuals who value bench work over clinical or case studies, and vice versa. If by "case studies" you mean just case reports, then I'd say that case reports are relatively easy to "complete" and get submitted for publication -- some programs just want to see you have some kind of exposure -- though independently only hold marginal value. If you're gunning for a basic science grant down the line and only ever want to do bench work, then go that route. It just depends, largely on your interests and goals.