Research Publication

[Alexis]

Do undergrads frequently get published?

Is it unrealistic to expect to be published for doing summer research?

[nem90]

It all depends on the prof, your talent/effort and luck.

 

Some profs will give undergrads names in publications, some have a no-no policy to undergrads. But if your something special, then you might as well deserve your name on something.

 

It all depends really, but yes, it is possible. To expect one in undergrad may be unrealistic since research takes long time and by the time you're published, you might have graduated already.

[NewfieMike]

Do undergrads frequently get published?

Is it unrealistic to expect to be published for doing summer research?

 

I would say in general, it is unrealistic to expect a publication after only one summer. However, the number of variables (clinical vs. basic science, high impact vs. low, new project vs near completion, solid first draft vs. needs major experimental revision, lots of luck vs. none) makes this question impossible to answer.

[rask]

I agree with NewfieMike. I work in a basic science lab and 4 months is a very short period of time in which to produce meaningful results. Normally we give undergraduate students a small project to work on that is part of a larger research question. This may result in a publication, but often not until long after the student is gone. Of course, this may vary depending on the nature of the research and how close to completion it is when the student starts.

 

As well, many undergrads seem to be under the impression that simply running a few experiments that someone else designed or told them to run entitles them to a publication. In my field, the general rule is that unless you have provided an intellectual contribution (e.g. thought of the research question, performed background research, selected the tests, designed controls, interpreted the results etc.) you are not listed as an author. Although, as pointed out there are many variables that come into play and situations may differ. We usually try to get the undergrads on but a first authorship would certainly be quite rare.