4 ms·
I think it would be very unethical for an undergraduate who contributed to a research effort not to be listed as an author. normally the professor's name goes
by currymj 7y ago
I think it would be very unethical for an undergraduate who contributed to a research effort not to be listed as an author.
normally the professor's name goes last on the paper, and the convention is well understood that being last author means they functioned in an advisory/funding role and may not have done much of the actual work.
there's plenty to be cynical about in the world of scientific research but it's definitely not the norm for professors to claim sole credit for work done by their students or employees.
- toyg 7y agoMost of the stories I’ve heard from people I know who used to be in the sector (mother, brother, ex-wife, friends...) don’t match your perception. This is in Europe, but still: credit is hard currency in that world and people can be pretty cut-throat about it.
- mam2 7y agoEuropean research is considered less cutthroat at least in my experience.
- currymj 7y agoPeople can be cutthroat about trying to get their name on papers to which they contributed little, and they may be reluctant to discuss work too openly with others lest the discussion be construed as a collaboration which would require coauthorship. But I think leaving people off the paper who made some contribution is really frowned upon at least in the US.