Main description:

Health professionals are increasingly drawn towards research in the course of their training, often with little guidance on the skills and techniques required. This practical text provides essential advice to guide the beginner through the processes involved in selecting, organizing, funding, undertaking, evaluating and publishing a biomedical research project, and completing a postgraduate qualification. Cartoon illustrations provide a wry commentary on the ups and downs of life in research. This edition contains new content on choosing supervisors, career implications, degree structures, ethical issues and time conflicts between research and service needs, and is fully revised and updated to reflect changes in the structure of medical careers and degree courses, and the use of computational and information technology in research presentation. An invaluable guide suitable for all stages of a medical research career, from the first stages of research, through to professional supervisors, career counselors and postgraduate tutors.

Contents:

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Deciding whether to do research; 3. Deciding when to do research; 4. Selecting a research degree; 5. Choosing a department, research supervisor and project; 6. Applying for research positions and funding; 7. Getting started; 8. Overcoming frustration; 9. Writing scientifically; 10. Publishing a paper; 11. Attending scientific meetings; 12. Writing a thesis; 13. Submitting a thesis and preparing for a viva; Further reading; Appendix: Information for research students wishing to study overseas; Index.