Research Idea

Dr.YuwonoUnit Penelitian Kedokteran Komunitas (UPKK) FK Unsri

Departemen Mikrobiologi FK Unsri/RSMH Palembang

Why Do Research?

• fascination with the science• passion and desire to learn more about an area • to study an important research question• see what it is like to be a researcher• see how it might fit into your career plans

Why Do Research?

• Nobel Prize aspirations• to pad the C.V.• to impress residency directors• want to solve a major clinical problem• don’t have enough money to go home• parents won’t let you come back home

Any Idea?

RESEARCH IDEA

• The fun part

• Research ideas should occur frequently and be pursued rarely.

• “Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.” John Dewey

MOVING THE RESEARCH IDEA TO A QUESTION

• IDEA• CREATIVE• IMPULSIVE• EXCITING• UNDEFINED• UNVERIFIED• UNVALIDATED• NO LIMITS

• QUESTION• METHODICAL• CONSIDERED• RESERVED• FINITE• VERIFIABLE• VALIDATED• LIMITED

– TIME PERIOD

– FIXED BUDGET

The Research Idea

Keep It Simple Identify something of

interest to you Prepare to solve one piece

of a problem Realistic expectations—

Can you reasonably accomplish it?

Hersey Chase Experiment

RESEARCH QUESTION

• The challenge is to ask a research question that is important, specific, and answerable by an investigation or experiment.

• “Happiness hates the timid! So does science!” Eugene O’Neill

THE RESEARCH QUESTION:Characteristics of a Good One

F-I-N-E-R• FEASIBLE - it can be answered.• INTERESTING - you are enthusiastic.• NOVEL - it breaks new ground.• ETHICAL - no harm to subjects.• RELEVANT - the “So What” test.

Hulley, Newman and Cummings, 1988

RESEARCH QUESTION -BACKGROUND WORK

• Review and evaluation of literature.–allows you to ask a better question–defines the questions that came before–provides insights and methodology–identifies potential mentors/collaborators–tells you what their next questions were

RESEARCH QUESTION

• In order to ask a good question, carry out the study in your mind.

• The Virtual Investigation - essential for refining the research question and moving toward an hypothesis.

• The Columbus Dispatch, April 16th:

–“Lack of Brains Hinders Research”

Keys to a Good Research Experience

• Qualified, interested, experienced mentor.• Stable, nurturing research environment.

• Given independence - • But, highly supported.

• Realistic expectations.• Stable funding.• Opportunity for continuing involvement.

Learn How to Collaborate

• Novice researchers develop best under the apprenticeship system of learning.

• Research is a creative enterprise; it is myth that creative work usually emerges from the mind of one person.

• Collaboration can occur with peers in a course setting or with an experienced researcher.

Look for Support

• Research requires vision and discipline, but you need not rely solely on your own resources.

• Look for opportunities and resources in your unit or the university:– Complete research as an Independent Study.– Apply for research grants or awards.– Apply for research assistantships.– Volunteer to assist a professor.– Convert a class project into research.– Complete a service learning experience as research.– Take a course in Research Methods.

Present & Publish Your Findings

“Moving the knowledge off the shelves and into practice, making it relevant and accessible to practitioners and patients, achieving a true marriage of knowledge with intuition and judgment – all this requires translation.”

– Dr. Claude Lenfant

Knowledge vs. Practice

“The stark reality is that we spend billions in research to find appropriate treatments… but we repeatedly fail to translate that knowledge and capacity into clinical practice.”

– Institute of Medicine

72% of Americans believe new scientific and medical breakthroughs are “essential for staying healthy.”

– Alliance for Aging Research

Where Healthcare Meets Policy

Medical Knowledge: Lost in Translation

The “Translational Highway”

Source: Schwartz K, Vilquin JT. Building the translational highway: Toward new partnerships between academia and the private sector. Nature Medicine. 2003;9:493-5.

Clinical Research

Approved TherapyStandard

Medical Practice

Patient Compliance Positive Outcome

Basic Science Discovery