A classmate has decided not to contribute to our research paper, and I’m unwilling to give him any credit. I hope the context is clear, as I’m not from the US.
I’m currently a final-semester BPT (physiotherapy) student, and part of my coursework involves completing a research seminar in a team of three. One teammate is a good friend, while the other is someone I don’t know well. I’m really passionate about our chosen topic, even if the others aren’t as engaged. I don’t mind doing most of the work since I enjoy the process, but I never expected to end up carrying the entire load.
Initially, we divided the tasks for our research proposal so that they would tackle small sections based on the work I’d already done or other basic information. As the deadline drew closer, both of them went silent. I ended up completing their parts as well, missing classes in the process. After the deadline, I expressed my frustrations in a lengthy message. My friend apologized, explaining his focus was on his pregnant wife, promising it wouldn’t happen again. Meanwhile, the other teammate didn’t respond at all, which was incredibly frustrating.
Fast forward two months, and we’re due to submit our research protocol, ethics committee form, and informed consent form. Once again, I wrote the research protocol alone and asked the others to handle the simpler forms—essentially just copy-pasting into a template. As the deadline approached, my friend, now a new dad, began to reply, but on the due date, he sent me a document titled “scientific consent,” which was completely irrelevant to our research on exercise in VR. It was a complete mess and demonstrated a lack of understanding of our topic.
Feeling quite frustrated, I returned the document with my feedback, but he didn’t respond, so I ended up doing all the work again.
I’ve communicated my concerns to our professor, who has acknowledged the situation but suggested I try to work it out with my team. After everything that’s unfolded, I requested a meeting with both teammates; my friend apologized again, and we discussed how he could balance family duties. The other teammate, however, ignored my requests entirely.
After several attempts to reach out, I sent a message to the unresponsive teammate stating: “Given your lack of communication and minimal contribution, I will not include your name in the project. I will not be using the materials you provided.” He replied almost immediately, and we had a brief and somewhat awkward conversation. I tried to remain civil, except when I pointed out how embarrassing his document was.
Now, I’m left managing this situation largely on my own. The professor and a member of management want to hold a meeting with us all, and I’m feeling anxious about it. I really dislike confrontations and I worry they might pressure me into giving credit for no contribution. I want to be prepared but often tend to overdo it when I’m nervous, and I’m unsure how far back to go in discussing the issues.
Additionally, I’m conflicted about my friend’s behavior; he’s not acting like the person I know. I understand that having a new baby is a big responsibility, but I can’t ignore the imbalance in our contributions. I’m worried the other teammate might try to bring my friend down with him during the meeting.
Overall, I feel stuck and apprehensive. I don’t mind doing the majority of the work, but I really need them to contribute at least a little. I worry that giving credit to the non-contributor feels like giving in to bullying. Moreover, I fear I can’t prove that he didn’t actually help me with the proposal, as I had to rewrite what he submitted due to errors, and I don’t have a copy of the original.
It sounds like you’re in a really tough situation, and it’s understandable to feel scared about the upcoming meeting. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare and approach this effectively:
Gather Evidence: Collect any messages, emails, drafts, or documents that showcase the communication (or lack thereof) and contributions from your classmates. Having this evidence will help substantiate your claims in the meeting.
Stay Calm and Professional: In the meeting, aim to remain composed. Start by summarizing the current state of the project, highlighting your contributions, and then briefly mention the lack of communication from your classmates. Keeping your tone respectful but firm will help you convey your points more effectively.
Stick to the Facts: When discussing the contributions (or lack thereof) from each member, focus on concrete examples. You might want to mention the deadlines, the work you did, and the issues with the other classmate’s submissions without getting overly emotional about it.
Stick to Recent Events: While you can give some context to the situation, it’s best to focus on recent events leading up to the meeting. This will keep the discussion relevant and manageable.
Be Prepared for Defense: Understand that your classmates may push back or try to shift the blame. Be ready to explain why you felt the need to take over the work and how it impacted your ability to collaborate effectively.
Talk About Solutions: If you’re comfortable, suggest possible outcomes that seem fair, such as allowing you to complete the work independently while being careful to address any issues fairly without rewarding non-contribution.
Seek Support: If possible, consult with your professor beforehand to express your concerns. They may be able to provide guidance on how the meeting typically goes and additional support if needed.
Consider the Friend’s Situation: If you believe your friend is under significant pressure as a new parent, it might be worth acknowledging that in the meeting. You can express that you understand he has challenges but highlight that collaboration on the project is crucial and should still be respected.
Ultimately, focus on asserting your position with confidence and standing up for the effort you’ve put in. Good luck—you can handle this!