How can I tell whether a laboratory is collaborative or highly competitive?
To assess a laboratory, attend a visit or information session and ask not only the faculty member but also several current students about sharing data and equipment, ease of asking for help, how authorship and credit are decided, and how students support one another during busy periods. Observe student interactions and lab meetings for signs such as information being withheld, excessive comparison of achievements, or unclear roles and evaluation criteria. Do not rely on one impression; compare official information with accounts from multiple students.
Key points
- During a visit, observe student interactions and how meetings are conducted.
- Ask about sharing data and equipment, consultation, mutual review, and rules for authorship and evaluation.
- Ask faculty members and several current students the same questions, then compare their answers.
Things to check
- The degree of collaboration or competition can differ by university, faculty, field, academic year, and supervisor.
- Because a visit gives only a limited impression, also check the latest official information.