Rate and predictors of publication by medical and health science summer research students: a 14-year analysis from Auckland, New Zealand

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction Undergraduates are capable of making valuable contributions to the medical sciences. At The University of Auckland, many students complete summer studentship projects. Anecdotally, students have enjoyed these projects, developed an interest in academia, and published peer-reviewed articles. This study aimed to i) determine the publication rate following the studentship programme from 2001-2013, and ii) identify factors correlated with publication. Methods Students completing summer studentships at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland from 2001-2013 were identified. Seven databases were searched for articles with student and supervisor as named authors. Outcomes of interest were; i) publication within 3 years of studentship completion, ii) publication at any time, and iii) publication with the student as the first author. Results Over the 13-year period, 1345 studentship projects were completed, with 666 identified subsequent publications by 425 students. At 3 years follow-up after studentship completion, 22% had published, increasing to 32% at any time following studentship completion. Degree, department, and research category were all significantly correlated with successful publication. Conclusion Summer studentships provide New Zealand undergraduates with opportunities to make valuable contributions to science. Further investigation may facilitate improvement strategies and maximise benefits for students, supervisors, and universities.