Tactful way of asking about publication?

[exquisitemelody]

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I am working on putting a research proposal together for a project that I feel very invested in, and it's something that I am genuinely interested in. However, I want to know the chances of getting my work published. So far, it seems I will be doing a lot of the work - I came up with the question on my own, I will be doing all of the background work, and I will have a significant hand in collecting and analyzing the data (I am not strong with statistics and this sort of research method, so I'll be needing help). I plan on asking the PI how my project actually fits into what she is already doing, but I am not sure how to go about asking about publication without sounding like I'm doing this JUST for a publication. But who does research without thinking about publication?

Advice would be appreciated!

 

[darkelven29]

Why don't you ask about how feasible is it to submit the project to a national meeting?

If you are doing an independent project, first step is to submit to a student research forum (sometimes data isn't even collected yet), then national meeting for poster/oral (preliminary data), and then after you finish everything, then you publish. You will need your PI to fund statistical analysis and possibly poster printing/travel funds/publication-related costs.

Your PI can always entice you saying oh yeah, you can definitely publish, lots of junior faculty always do that, how realistic you have to ask other students/fellows working with your PI and yourself.

 

[45408]

Publishing is the point of doing research. I wouldn't even do a project that I didn't think I could publish.

 

[laconfidential]

It's not unreasonable to ask the PI's view on students as first/second authors on papers. If they say they never do that, well, there's your answer. You absolutely have a right to ask that your work is recognized properly.

 

[IWillChangeHC]

Both parties have a similar interest in publication. OP don't overthink it, just be transparent with PI. Hell, when I was in the sciences, I told my PI I would help support the lab in terms of grunt work, but was interested in business and would get an MBA. He supported me and eventually I helped him run a more efficient lab in the process. Just communicate your intentions!

 

[exquisitemelody]

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

 

[tjquinn]

I was in the same situation and I ultimately decided to simply e-mail my PI with my idea and a brief rationale. In this "proposal" I asked if he thought my idea was worth investigating. Now I am taking a year off to do this project, and I am glad I got his point of view regarding my question. In short, go for it. The worse that could happen is: no, this is not worthwhile, or perhaps even worse, an ambivalent answer. Either way, you will know whether or not the project is publishable

 

[45408]

It's not unreasonable to ask the PI's view on students as first/second authors on papers. If they say they never do that, well, there's your answer. You absolutely have a right to ask that your work is recognized properly.

Your work doesn't necessarily warrant such a position. I would not go in with that question. Nor does it really matter that much what position you land on in the authorship rankings. What matters is what you did and how well you are able to talk about it in an interview.

 

[magicm]

I am working on putting a research proposal together for a project that I feel very invested in, and it's something that I am genuinely interested in. However, I want to know the chances of getting my work published. So far, it seems I will be doing a lot of the work - I came up with the question on my own, I will be doing all of the background work, and I will have a significant hand in collecting and analyzing the data (I am not strong with statistics and this sort of research method, so I'll be needing help). I plan on asking the PI how my project actually fits into what she is already doing, but I am not sure how to go about asking about publication without sounding like I'm doing this JUST for a publication. But who does research without thinking about publication?

Advice would be appreciated!

an alternative that some PIs take (including my current one) is to start writting the paper ahead of time with how you expect that data to come in (or write multiple drafts for different potential outcomes) then as you get the data you put it into the proper spot. If you wanted to do that ask the PI waht they think of that method since you know of some people who like doing that. It allows you to see where a paper is going and where its weak

Also as others have mentioned if you aren't the one actually writting the paper then you may not be first or second author and then its mainly out of your hands. Personally I have never met a PI who is upset because a student wants to see how a project would fit into a paper, and I have worked in 7 labs over the course of my degrees