Research in medicine : planning a project -- writing a thesis / George Murrell, Christopher Huang, Harold Ellis ; with line drawings by David Langdon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Murrell, George, 1960-

Contributor:

Huang, Christopher L.-H.

Ellis, Harold, 1926-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Medicine--Research.

Medicine.

Medical writing.

Dissertations, Academic.

Academic Dissertations as Topic.

Education, Medical, Graduate.

Research.

Writing.

Medical Subjects:

Academic Dissertations as Topic.

Education, Medical, Graduate.

Research.

Writing.

Physical Description:

xii, 122 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, U.K. ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Summary:

Doctors and other health professionals are increasingly drawn toward research in the course of their training, often with little guidance on the skills, techniques and personal qualities required of a medical research worker. This helpful book provides essential advice for the beginner, covering in a practical and accessible fashion all the steps involved from choosing a research project to preparing and submitting a thesis. This revised edition includes updates on the use of computers, career implications, degree structures and ethical issues in human and animal experimentation.

Contents:

2 Why do research? 5

The challenge 5

Becoming a better clinician 5

As part of an academic career 6

Competing in the job market 6

Fame 6

Lifestyle 7

3 Reading for a research degree 9

What degrees are available? 9

Time required for completion 10

Your own qualifications 10

Individual university regulations 11

The intercalated BSc 11

Doctor of Medicine (MD or DM) 12

Master of Surgery (MS) 12

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil) 13

Available funding 13

Prestige 14

Subject matter 14

Providing for your future career 15

Medical careers in different English-speaking countries 16

4 Applying for research positions 23

Timing your period of research 23

Choice of department 25

Applying for scholarships and research positions 26

Background information about the available position 27

Your curriculum vitae 27

Approaching referees 28

Graduate work in the United States 29

5 Research supervisors and projects 33

Your research supervisor 33

Choosing a research topic 35

Considering your own interests and aspirations 35

Your supervisor's interests 36

Considering the laboratory facilities available 36

Human medical research 37

Experimental systems 41

Ethical aspects 41

Team vs individual work 44

6 The first phase: getting started 47

A doctor in research 47

Public relations 48

Self-discipline 49

Maintaining clinical commitments 49

Extracurricular activities 52

Fitting in postgraduate medical examination 52

Getting started at the bench 53

Choosing laboratory techniques 54

Planning experiments 54

Keeping careful notes 55

Consulting a statistician 56

Setting out 57

Research reports 58

Following the literature 58

Compiling references 60

Personal computers 61

Choosing software 64

Internet 64

7 The second phase: frustration 67

React creatively to failure 67

Repeat the same procedure 67

Alter the procedure or method of attack 68

Modify your goal 68

Give up the procedure or goal 68

8 The third phase: as results arrive 71

Presentations at meetings 72

Verbal presentations 72

Poster presentations 73

Funding your visit 73

Publishing papers 74

Submitting a paper 75

Steps leading to publication 76

Securing your future 77

9 The fourth phase: writing the thesis 79

Time and place 79

Winding up experimental work 81

When do you stop experimental work completely? 81

Planning your thesis 82

Format of your thesis 82

Order of writing 84

Photocopying facilities 84

Preparing illustrations 85

Photographic work 86

10 Scientific writing 89

Decide what to say 89

Decide how it needs to be said 89

Organize your thoughts 90

Write quickly 90

Scientific English 90

Re-reading and re-drafting 91

11 Assembling the thesis 95

Title page and contents 95

Acknowledgements 96

Abstract 97

Introduction 97

Materials and methods 98

Results 100

Discussion 101

Future work and unanswered questions 102

Publications 104

Successive draftings of the thesis 104

12 Submitting the thesis 109

Number of copies 109

Timing 110

Printing 110

Photocopying 110

Inserting illustrations 110

Binding 111

Submitting 111

The oral examination 111

Appendix Information for research students wishing to study overseas 115.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 113) and index.

ISBN:

0521626706

OCLC:

39696203