> but it seems like the part about learning the mechanics of research and publishing should be something so well documented it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
No.
I think you're thinking: "how to format/structure a paper/grant, how to conduct an experiment, how to write a proof, how to write a bibliography, how to conduct a literature search, how to submit a paper to a conference, ..."
Those are all very easy and formulaic by comparison.
What your parent actually probably meant: "how to pick a research problem, how to develop a multi-year research program that addresses that problem along with other related problems, how to find collaborators and succeed in working with other researchers, how to write a convincing paper, how to write a winning grant proposal, how to find funding, how to present your work in a compelling way at meetings/conferences, ..."
Those things all have a million particularities and can't be taught from a text book or lecture. You have to just do them and experience the millions of little things that come up and see a pro handle each situation.
It's like the difference between knowing how to incorporate a Delaware C and put together a passable pitch deck vs. actually running a particular type of business through every stage. Like a start-up focused on X, where X is your research field and there are maybe only a few other labs (companies) doing X in the world.
No.
I think you're thinking: "how to format/structure a paper/grant, how to conduct an experiment, how to write a proof, how to write a bibliography, how to conduct a literature search, how to submit a paper to a conference, ..."
Those are all very easy and formulaic by comparison.
What your parent actually probably meant: "how to pick a research problem, how to develop a multi-year research program that addresses that problem along with other related problems, how to find collaborators and succeed in working with other researchers, how to write a convincing paper, how to write a winning grant proposal, how to find funding, how to present your work in a compelling way at meetings/conferences, ..."
Those things all have a million particularities and can't be taught from a text book or lecture. You have to just do them and experience the millions of little things that come up and see a pro handle each situation.
It's like the difference between knowing how to incorporate a Delaware C and put together a passable pitch deck vs. actually running a particular type of business through every stage. Like a start-up focused on X, where X is your research field and there are maybe only a few other labs (companies) doing X in the world.