Introduction to Clinical Research I

Code:

OPT4_03

Acronym:

IICI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Medical Teaching
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Masters Degree in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIM	0	Official Study Plan	4	-	3	32	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Primary objectives:

Provide knowledge of scientific methodology, stimulating creativity and, simultaneously, the development of scientific thinking.

Encourage students to identify clinically relevant problems that deserve to be investigated and to design a research proposal in their different scientific, ethical and financial aspects.

Provide opportunities for initiation into clinical research in various areas of knowledge within the Medical Sciences.

Secondary objectives:

To awaken the scientific vocation, to encourage and identify potential talents among medical students, for their effective participation in research projects.

To awaken a new mentality in relation to the hospital medical activity, regarding the clinical research strand.

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon completion of the CU, the students should:

Have acquired knowledge of scientific methodology and known how to apply it;

Be able to prepare, interpret and discuss scientific texts;

Demonstrate analysis and synthesis skills, as well as discussion/justification of ideas;

Know how to use bibliographic management programs;

Know the major types of research studies and identify the main characteristics;

Have basic knowledge of biostatistics;

Know the national structures to support research and the applicable laws;

Have been integrated into a research team;

Have identified clinical problems susceptible to be investigated;

Known the structure of a research project and having wrote a proposal;

Be able to prepare scientific communications and have presented their research proposal;

Be prepared to write a review manuscript and to submit it for publication (optional).

Working method

Presencial

Program

Scientific community, scientific fields and structures to support research.

Research studies: epidemiological studies, research projects and clinical trials.

Ethics in research.

Scientific literature search and update.

Standards and legislation in research, registering property and copyright.

Biostatistics.

Bibliometrics and Scientometrics.

Drafting a proposal for a research project: working plan, ethical issues, budget and financing.

Dissemination of results to the scientific community, scientific communications and publications.

Mandatory literature

Bell J.; DOING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT. A GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME RESEARCHERS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SCIENCE. 4th ed, Opening Univ. Press,, 2005
Bowling A.; RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH: INVESTIGATING HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES. 2nd ed., Opening Univ. Press, 2002, 2002
Chernick MR, FRIIS RH; INTRODUCTORY BIOSTATISTICS FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2003
Diggle PJ, Chetwynd AG; STATISTICS AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD: AN INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS. 1st ed., Oxford Univ. Press, 2011
Gerstman BB; BASIC BIOSTATISTICS. STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE. 2nd rev. ed., Jones and Bartlett Publishers , 2008
HEALTH RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. A GUIDE FOR TRAINING IN RESEARCH METHODS; 2nd ed., WHO, Reg. Office Western Pacific, Manila, 2001
Kothari CR; RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. METHODS AND TECHNIQUES. 2nd rev. ed., New Age Intern. (P) Limited, 2004
Syng IK; FUNDAMENTALS OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND STATISTICS. 2nd rev. ed., New Age Intern. (P) Limited , 2006

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures;

Integration into a research team;

Conception and drawing of a research proposal;

Regular meetings for monitoring the writing of the research proposal;

Oral presentation of the proposal;

Submission of the research proposal for approval at the CHP;

Draw up of a review manuscript (optional).

 

Learning will take place in a phased manner. After a few lectures of introduction to research, students will be integrated into research teams where, with the help of a supervisor and the teacher responsible the CU, are encouraged to:

1. a) identify relevant problems from the clinical point of view and to review the literature on the subject;
2. b) conceive and draft a research proposal that aims to find possible explanations/solutions to the problems;
3. c) present the proposal; and, if appropriate,
4. d) draw up a review article.

Partnerships will be promoted between the CHP, the ICBAS and UMIB, as well as other Faculties / Research Units

The classes will be based on the theoretical presentations, on the discussion of the contents of the program and on the resolution of practical cases. We will try to promote a dialogue in which everyone participates (professors, students and project supervisors), through their own experience and knowledge.

The integration of students into research teams will allow them to conceive and write a research proposal designed to address a clinical problem.

The presentation of the research proposals will enable students to develop skills in organization of scientific meetings and scientific communication.

A guided writing a review manuscript (optional) and its submission for publication in a scientific journal with peer review, will allow students to acquire skills in scientific writing and in the submission process of scientific manuscripts for publication.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	40,00
Trabalho de campo	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	32,00
Trabalho de campo	49,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

They will be approved students with rank equal to or higher than 10.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation of this course will have two components:

Continuous evaluation

Continuous evaluation in terms of attendance and  active participation in classes and work meetings, ease of integration in the research team, performance and problem-solving capacity during the research proposal elaboration process.

Final evaluation

Assessment of the research proposal (written document) regarding the structure and content, concerning the scientific (originality, clarity of objectives, suitability of the work plan, feasibility, etc.), ethical and financial components.

Evaluation of the oral presentation of the proposal.

Evaluation (0-20):

Attendance and participation in classes and follow-up meetings – max. 4;

Integration into the research team –  max. 4;

Evaluation of the research proposal (writing document) – max. 8;

Evaluation of the oral presentation of the proposal – max. 2;

Additional valuation (e.g. review manuscript) – max. 2.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students may submit their research proposal (written document) and present it in the form of oral communication within 48 hours, after the expected date.

Classification improvement

The student will have the opportunity to improve his research proposal and to resubmit it. The proposal will be discussed in oral test.