Research in Medicine: Planning A Project - Writing A Thesis

Description

Anyone contemplating research in medicine for the first time would be likely to find this book very useful. It is a common-sense, practical guide to the entire research process, from the beginning of thinking about doing some research to your job prospects once you have finished and published. Much of the book is in the form of check-lists which makes reading quick and easy. Although the book is specifically aimed at medical doctors (it contains much detail of medical degree structures and when it is best to fit research into your career), it would also be useful for those considering para-medical careers in research. Degree structures from different countries are compared, and useful advice is given on how much research needs to be done to qualify for a Masters versus a PhD. Many may feel that the last thing they need when starting a programme of research or a graduate research degree is another book to read. Accordingly this book is short, to the point, has cartoons, and warns of most of the pitfalls that the novice researcher may fall into. Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Aims of this book......Page 13 Outline......Page 14 Summary......Page 15 Becoming a better clinician......Page 17 Fame......Page 18 Summary......Page 19 3 Deciding when to do research......Page 21 2. Research during undergraduate medical training......Page 22 3. Research between the primary medical degree and starting clinical work......Page 23 4. Research during postgraduate medical training......Page 24 Arrangements in the US and Australia......Page 25 Summary......Page 26 What degrees are available?......Page 29 Doctor of Medicine (MD or DM)......Page 30 Master of Surgery (MS)......Page 31 Choosing a degree......Page 32 Your own qualifications......Page 33 The subject matter you wish to study......Page 34 Summary......Page 35 5 Choosing a department, research supervisor and project......Page 37 The function of your research supervisor......Page 38 Choosing your research supervisor......Page 39 2. Team vs. individual work......Page 42 3. Your supervisor's interests......Page 43 4. Considering the facilities available......Page 44 Human medical research......Page 45 Experimental systems......Page 47 Ethical aspects......Page 48 Summary......Page 51 Background information about the available position......Page 53 Your curriculum vitae......Page 54 Your funding requirements......Page 55 Applying for funding......Page 56 Applying for research positions overseas......Page 58 Summary......Page 60 A doctor in research......Page 63 Public relations......Page 64 Maintaining clinical commitments......Page 65 Extracurricular activities......Page 67 Getting started with clinical research......Page 68 Getting started at the bench......Page 69 Keeping careful notes......Page 71 Analysing results......Page 72 Consulting a statistician......Page 73 Planning ahead......Page 74 Following the literature......Page 75 Compiling references......Page 78 Summary......Page 80 Repeat the same procedure......Page 83 Give up the procedure or goal......Page 84 Summary......Page 85 Organize what you wish to say......Page 87 Abstract or summary......Page 88 Introduction......Page 90 Methods......Page 91 Results......Page 92 Discussion......Page 93 Plan your writing......Page 94 Scientific English......Page 95 Re-reading and re-drafting......Page 96 Summary......Page 97 Choosing when to write a paper......Page 99 Choosing the journal......Page 100 Writing a paper......Page 101 Preparing figures......Page 103 Submitting a paper......Page 104 Steps from submission to publication......Page 105 Summary......Page 106 Choosing where to present......Page 109 Preparing oral presentations......Page 110 Preparing poster presentations......Page 111 Summary......Page 113 Timing......Page 115 Place......Page 116 When do you stop experimental work completely?......Page 117 Format of your thesis......Page 118 Writing the thesis......Page 120 Acknowledgements......Page 121 Future work and unanswered questions......Page 122 Successive draftings of the thesis......Page 123 Final checklist......Page 124 Summary......Page 126 Number of copies......Page 129 Binding......Page 130 Preparing for the viva voce......Page 131 Summary......Page 132 Further reading......Page 135 The Commonwealth......Page 137 United States of America......Page 139 Index......Page 141