On the shoulders of students? The contribution of PhD students to the advancement of knowledge

TL;DR

This study analyzes the research contributions of PhD students in Quebec from 2000 to 2007, highlighting their significant role in publication output, collaboration patterns, and the impact on their academic careers.

Contribution

It provides the first large-scale analysis of doctoral students' research efforts and their influence on publication productivity and career development.

Findings

PhD students contribute about one-third of Quebec's publications.

Natural and medical sciences have higher student publication involvement.

Involving students in publications is linked to higher degree completion and research careers.

Abstract

Using the participation in peer reviewed publications of all doctoral students in Quebec over the 2000-2007 period this paper provides the first large scale analysis of their research effort. It shows that PhD students contribute to about a third of the publication output of the province, with doctoral students in the natural and medical sciences being present in a higher proportion of papers published than their colleagues of the social sciences and humanities. Collaboration is an important component of this socialization: disciplines in which student collaboration is higher are also those in which doctoral students are the most involved in peer-reviewed publications. In terms of scientific impact, papers co-signed by doctorate students obtain significantly lower citation rates than other Quebec papers, except in natural sciences and engineering. Finally, this paper shows that involving doctoral students in publications is positively linked with degree completion and ulterior career in research.