VY 2

Question 1

L2 objectives

Answer 1

Initiate, Manage, Communicate

Question 2

How does research idea come about?

Answer 2

Promote formation of ideas in shaping up an exciting (innovative) research qn:

• read papers, attend seminars/scientific meetings, join active research team/ interest group, discuss and exchange ideas with others frequently, think

(experience, observation, needs are the 3 Driving forces leading to imagination/creativity –> formation of research problem)

Question 3

How to come up with new unique perspectives?

Answer 3

• Brainstorm
• bring smart, enthusiastic and creative individuals
• people from diverse background and experiences would inc likelihood for the team to come up with unique perspectives

Question 4

What is the purpose of publications?

Answer 4

• expand knowledge
• prevent replication of effort
• enable independent checks on results
• disseminate new info/ opinion
• provoke discussion
• gain wider recognition for our work
• get money for research
• promotion

Question 5

Why survey the literature?

Answer 5

• identify gaps and discrepancies in body of knowledge
• identify relevant and related work done
• locate useful approach/ methodology
• keep abreast of developments and current state-of-the-art

Question 6

Which e-databases is the most widely used?

Answer 6

PubMed

Question 7

How to we proceed a literature search?

Answer 7

• Identify diff keyword combi
• retrieve articles and scan through them (title or abstract [most of the time])
• BE AWARE OF THE QUALITY OF WORK (impact factor; higher score better)
• summarise most relevant articles

Question 8

Literature surveys are a _____________ than a simple list of papers.

Answer 8

Critical appraisal

Question 9

A literature survey demonstrates _____ of an adequate body of knowledge and the ____ to apply that knowledge to the project

Answer 9

• awareness

- ability

Question 10

How to read a scientific paper?

Answer 10

• Be selective, Read efficiently, Read effectively
• Don’t believe everything you read
• Not essential and often get lost in every single word in the paper

Question 11

What is the aim of reading a paper effectively and efficiently?

Answer 11

to gather key info quickly w/o getting lost in details

Question 12

Which software can be used to create our own reference database?

Answer 12

EndNote

Question 13

What are the 3 types of scientific publications in peer review journals?

Answer 13

• rapid communication or letters
• regular papers
• reviews

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Entire paper presented in a logical sequence and the results (QUALITY AND QUANTITY) for supporting the conclusions are clear as well as convincing

Question 15

Apart from the major parts of a paper, what other components are useful?

Answer 15

• supplemental results for additional data and info

- address weakness in study (confession)

Question 16

Why must we be careful of ‘review articles’?

Answer 16

does contain personal opinions and may intentionally omit certain viewpoints

Question 17

What are some points to take note in writiing a scientific paper?

Answer 17

• read a few good scientific papers extremely carefully to learn about scientific writing
• art of writing is similar to sculpturing, lots of polishing and refinement
• Writing style: simple and direct. short sentences
• Results: Dont need to be always in chronological order BUT RESULTS should tell a story
• Choice of journal: aim high, but not too high

Question 18

Why is criticism from anonymous reviewers absolutely necessary?

Answer 18

Ensure objectivity and quality

Question 19

How should illustration (Drawing and designing figures) be?

Answer 19

simple, understandable w/o test, deliver a single point, grasp msg quickly, legend, subdivide figures if necessary

Question 20

What are some points to take note for oral presentations?

Answer 20

• be enthusiastic (acting skill)

- state significance (assuming the audience having the ‘SO WHAT’ mentality about your work in their minds)

Question 21

What should constitute in a slide?

Answer 21

• What it is all about
• method
• results
• label the picture
• message/conclusion

Question 22

How to deal critical questions?

Answer 22

• if you sense hostility, offer to talk to them later

Question 23

What are the 5 Ps?

Answer 23

Practice and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Question 24

For poster presentation, what are the important details that need to be added?

Answer 24

• title
• intro/rationale
• aim of study
• results
• conclusions
• significance
• ref/acknowledgement