SCORE Research Guide

SCORE

2020

RESEARCH GUIDE

A U T H O R :

V E R N O N

D A V I S

J R .

ABOUT THIS GUIDE • This research guide is designed primarily to give general advice to medical students who may be interested in research. But this advice can be applied to anyone in any field of study. Research is not restrictive, as it helps to advance the body of knowledge of any area of interest.

• Research is not a foreign concept. In fact, we engage in research everyday. Exploring any question that has not been answered can technically be considered research. However, there are certain guidelines which qualify a study as scholarly, credible and globally accepted by a professional body. I would encourage you to inquire from the professional affiliation of interest what their requirements are, to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for publication, if that is your end goal.

• However, research should be fun! It allows you to be a true scientist and inquire about what, when, why, who, or how! I encourage everyone to give research a try. I too realize that research is not for everyone. So do not feel bad if you realize it is not your area of interest. Not everyone ends up becoming a researcher at the end of the day.

WHY RESEARCH?

WHY RESEARCH? • Research gives students the unique opportunity to contribute to the world. By investigating a new topic, you can expand the body of knowledge on a given topic.

• Research provides answers. It helps to unravel unsolved mysteries and create opportunities for growth, recovery and innovation.

• Research eliminates barriers. Can you imagine helping to find a cure for a lifelong illness? Can you imagine designing a device that changes someone’s life for ever?

Noble Peace Prize winners probably could never imagine the impact of their discoveries at the time of initial thought. The possibilities are endless and research allows this all to become possible.

RESEARCH IS S C A R Y… I S N ’ T I T ?

WHY IS RESEARCH SCARY? • Most times research is scary when it is your first major experience carrying one out. With any uncertainty comes doubt, anxiety and a self-evaluation process.

• After each research experience, it actually becomes easier to carry out research the next time.

• Numbers can appear be intimidating. However, grasping a knowledge of the various data reporting analysis and tools can make this less daunting.

W H AT T Y P E O F RESEARCH SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Q U A L I TAT I V E V S Q U A N T I TAT I V E • Qualitative Research: Generally based on experience and opinions of others collected with a smaller sample size. It requires an in-depth analysis and generally utilizes open ended questions.

Examples of Methods:

Focus groups Interviews Systematic Review

Quantitative Research: Generally uses structured data (numbers) and a larger sample size. Most utilizes closed-ended questions.

Examples of Methods:

Experimental Research Survey Research Correlational Research

W H AT C A N H E L P M Y RESEARCH EXPERIENCE BE BETTER?

HERE ARE A FEW TOP APPS FOR HELPING YOU WITH RESEARCH

Useful Resources: Databases:

• Your institution’s Electronic Database system • UptoDate • EBSCO Host • Medhost

Researcher: A quick reference app for bookmarking and finding recent studies based on interest.

Reference:

Purdue Writing lab is a great tool for Help with citations and reference.

Mendeley: For FREE, this reference manager allows you to organize and share research and even collaborate virtually.

Yes, there is an app for that….

Other:

Dropbox for storage of information.

O P E N S O U R C E A P P L I C AT I O N S

Todoist

Ghostwriter

Grammarly

Mendley app

• These applications help to strengthen your preparation, execution and overall quality of research. They range from assisting with grammar and spelling, to offering a distraction free platform for students to operate in. • For example, Ghostwriter offers user analytics such as session statistics, idle time report, etc.

HOW DO I REACH MY TA R G E T ?

SURVEY COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION COLLECTION OPTIONS

DISTRIBUTION METHODS

In-person interviews

Random Device Engagement

Telephone interviews

Website Postings

Questionnaires and surveys using a specific website or app (eg. Google forms, SurveyMonkey)

Online Advertisement

Focus group Observation Documents and records Experiment

Email Distribution Assisted Crowd Sourcing Outsource In-person Panel Sampling

A L L O F T H E S E R E S U LT S , N O W W H AT ?

D ATA A N A LY S I S So you have your raw data, now what?

Terms you will eventually become familiar with:

You can use these useful data reporting tools to display your information. Some of these require, however, some practice.

• Correlation

Qualitative Statistical Analysis Software

• Microsoft Excel • R • SPSS

• Causation • Distribution • Multiple Regression • ANOVA

• GraphPad Prism

• Chi Square

Interview Transcription Software

• T-test

• Scribe

• Random selection

• F4

H O W D O I R E P O R T M Y R E S U LT S ?

DATA R E P O R T I N G After you have collected and analyzed your data, the next step is to present it in a way others can understand. This can include, but not limited to, illustration such as bar charts, western blot, processed data and videos from microscope use.

Here are some tools that you can use to assist you: • Inkspace-graphical software for illustrations • Image J/ Fiji- analyze images, change picture settings and acquire bioimage and microscopy • Gimp- a free equivalent to Photoshop

S O W H AT ’ S NEXT?

SHARING YOUR R E S U LT S CAN BE EXCITING

Posters are a fun, easy way to use your creativity and properly layout your research.

Publications in scholarly journals are a way to share your research with the world. Choosing the right journal will be key to ensuring your study is accepted.

Research is meant to be shared. Data collected can help to affect change, be it policy writing or guide decisions at your institution.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N :

• For further questions regarding research, you can contact: Vernon Davis Jr. National Officer of Research Exchange Standing Committee for Research Exchange (SCORE) Trinidad and Tobago Medical Student Association (TTMSA) Email: score@ttmsa.org