Research Project 1

BIOL66121 Research Project 1 30 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Andreas Prokop Unit coordinator Janine Lamb Unit coordinator John Curtin Unit coordinator Guoqing Xia Unit coordinator Joe Swift Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 The initial part of Research project 1 is a supervised literature review on an important current research topic in the field. The second part of the unit will involve students formulating a research proposal that arises from their literature studies. Research project 1 provides an opportunity to delve deeply into a biomedical topic, the  underlying basic science, and to imagine how present-day research can contribute to  improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The starting point for the project will usually be a topic defined by your supervisor(s). This  may be an interesting gene or protein, a basic physiological process or pathway, a known pathology, a promising prospective mode of treatment or a set of clinical or laboratory  observations. Your supervisors will provide you with a brief outline of the topic and some starter references. At this stage you will not be given specific project aims as you are  intended to develop a hypothesis and aims during the research proposal aspect of the unit. During the first 10 weeks of the unit you will focus on the literature review. You will need to read the background and history of the problem, critically examine previous research that has been reported in the literature, consider the relevant molecular, cellular and tissue level processes, and any clinical implications. Your supervisors will help you to fill gaps in your basic knowledge, depending on your background. The methods you learn in the practical skills unit and techniques workshops, and your tutorial and seminar work will all help you to better understand the concepts and methodologies you will later use. During the work on your literature review, you will have regular progress meetings with your supervisors. <o:p></o:p>When the literature review is well-advanced and you have introduced yourself to the scientific context, you will prepare a research proposal to  address a hypothesis you generate based on the gaps in knowledge identified during the  literature review. Your proposal should be for a 6-month project which usually is the project that you will carry out. Developing a proposal is an essential skill for researchers, for example when writing applications to apply for research funds by convincing an independent body that the research will be worth the investment. <o:p></o:p>Your engagement during Research Project 1 will have a major impact on your performance during your actual project work which will benefit from good background knowledge and understanding. <o:p></o:p> The aims of RP1 are to train students in strategies ..<o:p></o:p><ul><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">to identify relevant literature and data sources.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">of critical resource analysis and information filing.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">to identify important questions, formulate respective hypotheses and design experiments to address them.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">to plan and organise written reports.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">to plan and generate appropriate illustrations and their legends.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">of appropriate scientific referencing.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">of effective communication with other researchers (here your supervisor).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">of effective time management.<o:p></o:p></li></ul> Students should be able to ..<o:p></o:p><ul><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">identify and isolate relevant aspects of research problems which, depending on the MSc programme and project, may concern basic, translational or clinical science, epidemiology, and even demographic or social matters.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">synthesise, analyse and store data and information including the application of statistics and the use of relevant software.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">demonstrate the ability of critical thinking, including abstraction, analysis, critical judgement and the ability to formulate testable hypotheses.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">report on the current status of research in a chosen area.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">pose a problem and frame it in a fashion that is amenable to solution.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">apply communication skills in written and spoken form, including the use of illustrations, electronic media and constructive dialogue with peers and supervisors.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">use software for word processing and to generate illustrations and manage references.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">make efficient use of library, electronic and online resources.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">plan time effectively, apportioning efforts to literature research and writing in a well-balanced way, while undertaking other essential course activities<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height:normal;margin-top:3.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;">On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:<ul> <li> identify and isolate basic scientific, translational, clinical, (and where relevant) epidemiological, demographic and social elements of their research problem</li> <li> undertake background work to provide themselves with the intellectual foundations for a full understanding of their chosen area, especially where interdisciplinarity demands a wider frame of reference than former training might have required</li> <li> report on the current status of research in a chosen area </li></ul> On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:<ul> <li> identify and isolate basic scientific, translational, clinical, (and where relevant) epidemiological, demographic and social elements of their research problem</li> <li> undertake background work to provide themselves with the intellectual foundations for a full understanding of their chosen area, especially where interdisciplinarity demands a wider frame of reference than former training might have required</li> <li> report on the current status of research in a chosen area </li></ul> On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:<ul> <li> use effective word processing</li> <li> use library, electronic and online resources</li> <li> use reference manager software</li> <li> develop appropriate illustrative materials for a report</li></ul> On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:<ul> <li> to improve their own learning through planning, monitoring, critical reflection, evaluation and altering strategies</li> <li> to use word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation software and the Internet</li> <li> independently gather, sift, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and critically evaluate its significance.</li> <li> make a written presentation using language appropriate to a specialist readership</li> <li> collect and integrate evidence to formulate and test a research hypothesis</li></ul> Analytical skills Critical Evaluation Research Experience of devising and preparing research proposals <ul><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:96%;margin:3.0pt 9.65pt .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">Regular (biweekly) consultations with supervisor starting with project orientation meeting  and starter references. Email exchanges with supervisor. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:96%;margin:3.0pt 30.8pt .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">Regular informal contacts with research staff with overlapping interests.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:96%;margin:3.0pt 30.8pt .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">Training in critical evaluation of published work, and locating the edge of current  knowledge. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:96%;margin:3.0pt 30.8pt .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">How to distinguish 'I don't understand this' from ' the answer is not known',  leading to the identification of an important unsolved problem. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:normal;margin:3.0pt 0cm .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">Scientific writing: constructive feedback and improvement. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="border-style:none;line-height:96%;margin:3.0pt 48.3pt .0001pt 35.7pt;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">Training in project design and formulation of hypothesis in close consultation with  supervisor - on-line guidelines. <o:p></o:p></li></ul> 0 Other 50% 4 Dissertation 50% The literature review and research proposal are equally weighted and both contribute 50% towards the final mark for this unit. Formative feedback is provided by a supervisor for both the literature review and research  proposal on: <o:p></o:p><ul><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="border-style:none;line-height:normal;margin:.3pt 0cm .0001pt 35.45pt;mso-add-space:auto;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">a detailed plan <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="border-style:none;line-height:normal;margin-left:35.45pt;mso-add-space:auto;mso-border-shadow:yes;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-pagination:none;">a few-page excerpt of the report for academic writing style <o:p></o:p></li></ul>Submitted reports will be annotated by assessors and detailed feedback given on the marksheet.  MSc Biological Sciences MSc Biological Sciences PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MRes Tissue Eng for Regen Medn MRes Tissue Eng for Regen Medn PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Developmental Biology MSc Developmental Biology PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Cell Biology MSc Cell Biology PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Biochemistry MSc Biochemistry PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Neuroscience MSc Neuroscience PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Cancer Res and Molecular B MSc Cancer Research and Molecu PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MRes Infection Biology MRes Infection Biology PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Precision Medicine MSc Precision Medicine PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Infection Biology MSc Infection Biology PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N Students will receive starter references relevant to their research projects from their Supervisor(s). 0 0 300