A year ago, one of my friend (his lab is different) discussed an algorithm with me and since then we are working on it and we also used some publicly available data to test it. The thing is, now we have some results and we want to publish our results. This project is completely different from our PhD projects. We are now confused while writing the manuscript. Do we have to mention any funding because for this project no funding was involved? I was thinking to discuss it with my supervisor but my friend does not support the idea that we should discuss it with our supervisors. It would be helpful if you can share what would you do if you are working on some project at personal level and you want to publish (as a PhD student)?
Although you say this is different than your PhD project, Is this even remotely related to the work done in your lab(s)? What would the downside be to talking to your advisor(s) about it? Is it a dysfunctional relationship? Wouldn't you, at the very least, get some useful feedback that'd help you to make your story stronger?
I recommend you guys to check first with your supervisors, just to be clear, avoid IP problems and not creating a "conflict of interests" issue. You don't need to report any funding in your publication specially when you didn't have any.
Totally agree. Your supervisor isn't just supposed to be your boss, they are your scientific mentor. I worked on lots of side projects during my PhD and didn't consider any of them to be purely personal pursuits. I kept my supervisor apprised of what I was doing and with whom, because he had the right to know. It also meant he could offer advice and help when it came time to submit for publication.
Did you do this in your spare time or in work time?
I've published spare time projects without discussing it with my supervisor, just as I wouldn't discuss editing Wikipedia, posing on forums, etc. However, some of the people I published with did get clearance from their supervisors, and used official affiliation, email, etc. (which was fine by me). If you did this during work time or using institute resources, I'd recommend talking to your supervisor about it. When 'private' projects intersect with work time, I think it's fine to add your supervisor as an author.
Well, a good supervisor realizes you need personal time to do things other than science, empirical data shows it makes you a more effective scientist after all. But I would certainly consider any science I did part of my "work time" as a PhD student. Whether it is a side-project/collaboration or not, it is still part of your training IMHO.
I totally agree with you -- as I think you are suggesting, if you wanted to take an improv comedy class or something, yeah go for it. If you are doing work "part time" that is related to the work done in your lab but haven't involved your advisor at all while doing it, or even mentioned something about it as you are trying to publish, I think it gets a bit sticky. The advisor may be fine with it, but still I think it shows a bit of respect if you just float it by her. This is, of course, just my opinion.
@dan : I have not yet been enrolled for PhD. Can I send Manuscripts to Journals for a totally independent computational work? I hold Master's Degree in life Sciences. (No other job or post yet). Is supervisor must?
Yes, we did it in our spare time, mostly on the weekends. I used my own laptop but I have to admit that some weekends I was in the lab and not working from home.
Although you say this is different than your PhD project, Is this even remotely related to the work done in your lab(s)? What would the downside be to talking to your advisor(s) about it? Is it a dysfunctional relationship? Wouldn't you, at the very least, get some useful feedback that'd help you to make your story stronger?