Research during masters

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
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z2xz2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2024 3:24 pm

Research during masters

Post by z2xz2 » Sat Feb 24, 2024 5:00 am

Does it look bad if the only research done during a masters is through a thesis? or is this expected?

What i’m basically asking is should I be looking for research opportunities apart from my thesis or should I just focus on my thesis?

Thanks.

eamath
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:54 am

Re: Research during masters

Post by eamath » Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:52 am

Hello, You should primarily focus on your master's thesis research. However, what "looks good", and should really be your goal in research, is to have impact from your efforts, i.e. outcomes from your thesis research. In order of benefit, I would say: 1) journal paper, 2) conference paper, 3) conference talk, 4) conference poster. Very few people will read your thesis (it is a long form academic work to satisfy degree requirements). You gain impact and contribute to the field by presenting and publishing findings from your thesis research.

That said, if you have an opportunity to help out on a second research project with a minor amount of effort, that may readily lead to an presentation or paper, that could be of interest. This is more common and doable in applied project areas than in pure math research. In most cases you would be far better served focusing on your thesis research and getting outcomes from it .

Good luck!

z2xz2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2024 3:24 pm

Re: Research during masters

Post by z2xz2 » Sat Feb 24, 2024 2:44 pm

eamath wrote:
Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:52 am
Hello, You should primarily focus on your master's thesis research. However, what "looks good", and should really be your goal in research, is to have impact from your efforts, i.e. outcomes from your thesis research. In order of benefit, I would say: 1) journal paper, 2) conference paper, 3) conference talk, 4) conference poster. Very few people will read your thesis (it is a long form academic work to satisfy degree requirements). You gain impact and contribute to the field by presenting and publishing findings from your thesis research.

That said, if you have an opportunity to help out on a second research project with a minor amount of effort, that may readily lead to an presentation or paper, that could be of interest. This is more common and doable in applied project areas than in pure math research. In most cases you would be far better served focusing on your thesis research and getting outcomes from it .

Good luck!

Thanks!



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