Research Project 1

MEDN66151 Research Project 1 30 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Ashraf Kitmitto Unit coordinator School of Medical Sciences 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 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.  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 parallel practical skills and tutorial units and attendance at seminars and group meetings will all help you to understand the concepts and methodology you encounter.In addition, you will prepare a research proposal to address a hypothesis you generate based on the gaps in knowledge identified during your review of the literature. Developing a proposal is an essential skill for researchers and provides an opportunity for you to formulate a hypothesis and design a research project.   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.  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 parallel practical skills and tutorial units and attendance at seminars and group meetings will all help you to understand the concepts and methodology you encounter.In addition, you will prepare a research proposal to address a hypothesis you generate based on the gaps in knowledge identified during your review of the literature. Developing a proposal is an essential skill for researchers and provides an opportunity for you to formulate a hypothesis and design a research project.   The unit aims to train students in:•    Literature and database searching •    Critical analysis •    Identification, conceptualisation and exposition of unsolved problems •    Literature review planning •    Creating and using appropriate images •    Scientific writing and referencing •    Oral presentation skills •    Research proposal design •    Critical evaluation and debate •    Effective time management 0 Other 50% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 50% Literature review presentation and Q&A (12-minute oral presentation and a 15-minute Q&A assessment session) - 50% (this mark is comprised of a split of 30% for the presentation and 70% for Q&A)Research Proposal (2,500 words) - 50%   Formative feedback is provided by a supervisor for a section of the literature review presentation and for the research proposal. Submitted reports will be annotated by assessors and detailed feedback given on marksheets returned to students. N Project supervision 8 0 292