Research sabotaged by another student!

Graduate School
1

<p>As a new masters student who is involved in research, I was paired up with a PhD student.
We are a very small group and our research area is very focused. Its very difficult to come up with unique research ideas and most of my work has just been assisting the PhD on some projects here and there.</p>

<p>For the last year, this guy has made every effort possible to actively or passively sabotage my work. He has this hyper competitive attitude and it seems almost like he is threatened by me. Either that, or his own projects that he works in independently are much more interesting for him and he won't lift a finger to work on the project we are jointly assigned on. I don't know...the Professor says for me to work on some project and be assisted by the PhD. This guy will drag it for months, delay or meetings, postpone or deadlines, etc ,etc.</p>

<p>When I keep trying to push to get the work done, he seems to get seriously irritated with me and I usually just back off. And every group meeting we have, many other students are presenting their work and as usual, I am blocked because this PhD guy just won't help me, isn't interested in spending any of his time on our project, isn't giving me the data I need, etc.</p>

<p>I have refrained from complaining or blaming the PhD guy because we are a small knit group. If I make enemies its going to make the atmosphere extremely negative and make it very hard for me to make progress. </p>

<p>Long story short, I have had so much anxiety, frustration, and anger towards this student who has almost gone out of his way to stall me and prevent me from achieving anything. I consider this entire year a waste because of how uncooperative he is.</p>

<p>I decided to switch to another research group. I carefully picked this group- it is an area where I can work much more independently and be in charge of my project. So, I guess I don't have a great cause to be upset...but I still am. I'm still very frustrated about how I was treated. I think it is an injustice, his behavior is cruel, and I don't think he should just get away with it. </p>

<p>The question is: when I switch to a new adviser, I'm sure my current adviser is going to be upset and I'm going to have some explaining to do. Should I complain about the PhD student? I feel like I should explain my reasons and be honest. On the other hand ,if I have too many negative things to say about the PhD student, I'm afraid it will backfire and make me look bad. So, what should I do in a situation like this?</p>

2

<p>Being honest is always for the best. While it’s good to take your relationships with others into account before bringing up your concerns, you shouldn’t be so concerned about others that you end up putting yourself in a bad situation.</p>

<p>If your concerns are legitimate, a good adviser’s principle problem will not be the fact that you are switching but the fact that you waited a year to discuss these issues. Being up front with your adviser after your own efforts to solve a problem have failed is every bit as important as being honest.</p>

<p>If you are concerned about being viewed negatively, the best advice I can offer is as follows. Give only the facts, not opinions or accusations. And be fair, don’t exaggerate or cherry pick details.</p>

3

<p>

Explain, don’t complain.</p>

<p>Tell your advisor that you and the PhD student have not established a working partnership, and you feel this situation has prevented you from reaching your full potential within the group. Don’t elaborate unless pressed, and don’t use the word “sabotage”. Make it about your lack of a partnership, not about his behavior.</p>