Initiating, Managing & Communicating Research

Question 1

General ‘techniques’ to formulate ideas -> research question -> research plan

Answer 1

Research idea comes about from:
- Experience, observation, needs

Successful brainstorming:

• Bringing tgt as many people (smart, creative, diverse backgrounds) for brainstorming to incr likelihood of coming up with unique perspectives
• connect dots of diff ideas
• no judging/criticism
• finish session by eliminating points that do not make sense & digesting the rest

Question 2

What is the purpose of surveying literature survey?

Answer 2

• identify gaps in body of knowledge
• identify relevant & related work done
• locate useful approach/ methodology
• keep abreast of developments

Question 3

How to proceed with literature search

Answer 3

• identify combi of keywords & phrases
• scan through articles (title, abstract…)
• be aware of quality of work (impact factor & reputation of research group)
• draft brief summary of most relevant articles

Question 4

How to read scientific papers effectively & efficiently?

Answer 4

• Aim: Gather info quickly w/o getting lost in the details
• Follow sequence of reading: title, abstract, intro, results, discussion, methods & materials
• Make notes (ie. short summary of key ideas & conclusions)
• file in personal literature database

Question 5

Types of scientific publications in peer review journals

Answer 5

1) Rapid communications/letters
- short papers for quick dissemination of information

2) Regular papers

3) Reviews
- good way to quickly get familiar with a specific research area & get key references
- not only just compilation of references, but authors usually express their own opinions (biased?)

Question 6

How to differentiate a “good” from “not-so-good” paper?

Answer 6

• clearly & concisely written
• rationale & methodology are sound
• novel & interesting findings
• logical sequence
• results (quality & qty) are clear & convincing

Question 7

Major parts of a paper

Answer 7

1) Title
- Informative, words highlighting key findings

2) Abstract
- concrete but concise info on background, qn, data & major conclusion/findings

3) Introduction
- more detailed description of background & rationale for undertaking work

4) Materials & methods
- To enable another person to generate same data

5) Results
- data
- Supplemental results sections common nowadays for + data & info

6) Discussion
- brief summary of major results
- narrative to argue for significance of findings
- how data fits into larger picture
- address limitations

Question 8

General techniques to communicate scientific work through WRITING

Answer 8

• simple & direct, short sentences
• not in chronological order, but results should tell a story

Figures:

• kept simple & deliver a single point
• understandable w/o text
• legend
• allow reader to grasp msg quickly

Tables:

• kept simple
• missing entries indicated, no cells should be left empty
• logical organisation
• place impt tables in body of text & less impt ones in appendix
• abbrievations used in the table should be defined

Question 9

Dealing with criticism from reviewer

Answer 9

Comments from reviewers usually critical, but necessary to ensure OBJECTIVITY & QUALITY

• welcome, analyse & learn from criticisms
• evaluate validity of criticism
• repeat +/or aff experiments as suggested if necessary
• write a rebuttal when revised manuscript is ready (ie. point-by-point response to each point raised by reviewer)

Question 10

General techniques to communicate scientific work through PRESENTATION

Answer 10

Position:

• Be in control of presentation
• construct outline & thn guide audience through it
• find out background of audience
• be enthusiastic

Purpose:

• communicate ideas
• determine key message you want audience to takeaway
• persuade

Outline the talk

• determine conclusion 1st
• insert only the min, but essential, info
• clear succinct opening & closing

Organise the talk

• state message & outline contents
• state significance

Powerpoint slides:

• simple in organisation (flow of info is simple)
• self-explanatory
• colours/pictures may be useful visual aids (when used appropriately)
• emphasise key points (pointer/tone of speech)

Poster:

• should be readable from 1-1.5m away
• self explanatory
• handouts ready
• practice to “walk someone through” poster
• -> add graphs, diagrams to make it easier to unds
• -> do not overload with info
• -> do not include too many methodological details