MEDI7042: Research Rotations 2

### MEDI7042 <br>Research Rotations 2
# Introductory lecture
##### Unit convenor: Assoc. Prof. Mark Butlin (BE, PhD, SFHEA) (he/him)

Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences<br>Macquarie University. On the land of the Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

<a href="https://students.mq.edu.au/support"><img src="images/mq_support.png"
    alt="Student wellbeing logo. Wallumattagal peoples at Macquarie. LGBTQI+ Safe Space for Everyone" align="right"
    width=33%></a>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="citation">This material is provided to you as a Macquarie University student for your individual research and
  study purposes only. You cannot share this material without permission. Macquarie University is the copyright owner of
  (or has licence to use) the intellectual property in this material. Legal and/or disciplinary actions may be taken if
  this material is shared without the University’s written permission.</p>

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<h3 style="color:white">Research rotation pathway</h3>
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<p> </p><p> </p>
<p style="color:white">"Research taster"<br><b>Research Rotations 1</b><br>(MEDI7041/MEDI7042)<br>2×5 week projects<br>11 hrs/week</p>
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<h3 style="color:white">Research rotation pathway</h3>

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  <p class="citationside">Image source: <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/menu-pizza-pasta-vegetables-meal-3206749/">Pixabay</a>.</p>
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<p> </p><p> </p>
<p style="color:white">"Research snack"<br><b>Research Rotations 2</b><br>(MEDI7041/MEDI7042)<br>12 week project<br>11 hrs/week</p>
</div>

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<h3 style="color:white">Research rotation pathway</h3>

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  <p class="citationside">Image source: <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/menu-pizza-pasta-vegetables-meal-3206749/">Pixabay</a>.</p>
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<p> </p><p> </p>
<p style="color:white">"Research entrée"<br><b>2nd year Masters<br>of Research</b><br>Full year project.<br>Full-time.</p>
</div>

</div>

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<h3 style="color:white">Research rotation pathway</h3>

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  <p class="citationside">Image source: <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/menu-pizza-pasta-vegetables-meal-3206749/">Pixabay</a>.</p>
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<p> </p><p> </p>
<p style="color:white">"Main course(s)"</p>
<ul style="color:white">
  <li>PhD</li>
  <li>biomedical industry</li>
  <li>biomedical research</li>
  <li>post-graduate<br>medicine</li>
  <li>academia</li>
</ul>
</div>

</div>

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<h3 style="color:white">Research rotation pathway</h3>

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  <p class="citationside">Image source: <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/menu-pizza-pasta-vegetables-meal-3206749/">Pixabay</a>.</p>
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<p> </p><p> </p>
<p style="color:white">"Dessert"</p>
<ul style="color:white">
  <li>rewarding career</li>
  <li>retirement</li>
</ul>
</div>

</div>

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### Typical research team structure
####

- Team leader
- Sometimes: Post-doctoral researcher(s)
- Sometimes: Research assistant(s)
- PhD candidates
- Masters of Research candidates
- Research placement students

<img src="images/collaboration.webp" align="right">
<p class="citationside">Image source: <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2013/5/54/Collaboration.jpg">igem.org</a></p>

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## Choosing a research placement project

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### Choosing a research placement project
#### "But I don't know what topic I want to research."

The research rotations units are designed so that you can see the types of
medical research and get first hand experience of some of those areas
before you have to choose your major second year Masters research topic

- Can try different projects
- Can see many different research topics (peer review, conference presentations)

*If you don't know what research group(s) you would like to join, please meet with the unit convenor after this seminar.*

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### Choosing a research placement project
#### "But I do know what I want to research"
- The research placements enable you to get some first hand experience of your research topic of interest.
- Allow you to make a start on the research area of your choice, could be a huge help towards a future Masters of Research thesis.
- Can also experience other techniques to broaden your perspective and skill set - essential for successful research.

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## What is the structure of this unit?

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### What is the structure of this unit?
#### For students that have *not* completed MEDI7041

**Research placement 1:** Weeks 2 to 6

**Research placement 2:** Weeks 7 to 12

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### What is the structure of this unit?
#### For students that *have* completed MEDI7041,<br>or have received credit for MEDI7041

**Research placement:** Weeks 2 to 13

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### What is the structure of this unit?
#### Supplementary on-line learning material

Most weeks have non-compulsory but informative on-line modules in iLearn that may assist in skills development in medical research. Topics include:

- The scientific method.
- Critical thinking.
- Research group culture.
- Communicating to the public.
- Statistics.
- Data presentation.
- Communicating to the scientific audience.

<p class="citation">For Bachelor of Clinical Science graduates that took MEDI2900 <em>Introduction to Medical Research</em>, this material will look very familiar but may still be worth looking at a second time.</p>

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### What is the structure of this unit?
#### Face-to-face workshops

Workshops will be held on the preparation of assessment tasks:

- Week 1: Writing a research diary / lab book (brief)
- Week 6: Presentation skills workshop.
- Week 11: Reflective writing skills workshop
- Week 12: Academic writing skills workshop.

Seminars / workshops may not come across well in live stream / catch-up recordings as the room as a whole does not have a microphone. Talk from anyone away from the lectern is unlikely to be captured.

Attendance is encouraged both to engage with the material and to engage with the Faculty in your new role as a researcher.

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## Assessments

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### Assessments
####

<table class="table table-striped table-bordered table-hover">
  <thead class="text-uppercase">
    <tr>
      <th><span style="font-size:small;">Assessment Name</span>
      </th>
      <th><span style="font-size:small;">Weight</span>
      </th>
      <th><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:small;">Due Date</span></span>
      </th>
      <th><span style="font-size:small;">SUBMISSION METHOD<br></span>
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>AT1. Research engagement.<span style="font-size:small;"></span>
      </td>
      <td>0%<span style="font-size:small;"></span>
      </td>
      <td><b>Weeks 2 to 13</b>
        <br>Lab book/diary due:
        <br><strong>Rotation 1 </strong>11:55 pm, Sunday, Week 7
        <br><strong>Rotation 2 </strong>11:55 pm, Sunday, Week 13
        <br>or
        <br><strong>Single rotation </strong>11:55 pm, Sunday, Week 13
      </td>
      <td><span style="">Participation in placement, and submission of research diary/logbook.</span><span
          style="font-size:small;"></span>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>AT2. Conference presentation.</td>
      <td>35%</td>
      <td>In class, Week 7 to 10.
        <br>See assessment description for your personal presentation day.
        <br><strong>Slides due 11:55 pm, the night before the presentation.</strong>
      </td>
      <td><span style="">Delivery of a scientific presentation and submission of slide deck.</span>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>AT3. Research skills reflection.
        <br>
      </td>
      <td>30%</td>
      <td>11:55 pm, Sunday, Week 11
        <br>
      </td>
      <td>Turn-it-in submission of written research skills reflection.
        <br>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>AT4. Conference paper.<span style="font-size:small;"></span>
      </td>
      <td>35%<span style="font-size:small;"></span>
      </td>
      <td>11:55 pm, Sunday, Week 14<span style="font-size:small;"> </span>
      </td>
      <td>Turn-it-in submission of manuscript.
        <a href="https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/course/modedit.php?update=7201999&return=0&sr=0#section-20"
          target="_blank">
          <br>
        </a>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

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## MEDI7042 unit calendar

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### MEDI7042 unit calendar
####

Available from the “Upcoming events” calendar on the right-hand side in iLearn.

Not compulsory, but recommended: Sync the iLearn (Moodle) calendar with your personal calendar so that MEDI7042 events (classes, due dates) are shown in your calendar. <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/35/en/Using_Calendar#Importing_Moodle_calendar_into_other_calendars">Instructions on how to do that can be found here.</a>

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## Mini-workshop: Research engagement and research diary / lab book

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### Research engagement and research diary / lab book
#### Research engagement: expectations

<b>Self motivation and initiative</b><br>These units aim to facilitate your engagement in research activity.<br>There are
only a few tutorials/workshops, no lectures, and a series of self-paced online modules.<br>Therefore, you will need to be self motivated to engage with your research
supervisor and conduct the required work to meet the expectations of your supervisor and to satisfy the goals/assessments of the unit.

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### Research engagement and research diary / lab book
#### Research engagement: expectations

<blockquote><b>management</b><br>To be in direct charge of.</blockquote>
<blockquote><b>supervision</b><br>To oversee.</blockquote>

<ul class="fragment">
  <li>Daunting and exciting as it is supervised, not managed.</li>
  <li>This provides you with huge opportunity to fulfil your potential.</li>
  <li>You organise and plan how the project will progress.</li>
  <li>Some things (e.g. whether an experiment ‘works’ or fails) are out of your control.</li>
</ul>

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### Research engagement and research diary / lab book
#### What support do I get then?

- Guidance in the research topic and direction by the research supervisor.
- Supervision by research group members in research procedures / study protocol.
- Discussion around findings with group and research supervisor.
- Someone is paying for/paid for the resources you are using.
- Feedback on assignments from unit convenor and other markers.
- Sounding board / mitigation by unit convenor when issues occur.

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### Research engagement
#### Assessment

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### Research diary or lab book
####

- An official record of your research activity.
- Can serve as a legal document as evidence of the work you have done.
- Is owned (as is the research conducted) by the research group, and should be given to the research supervisor for their records at the end of your period of research.
- A helpful resource for your future self, or future people in your research group.
- Therefore, it should be organised and able to be understood and interpreted by another researcher in the group.

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### Research diary or lab book
#### Content

- Recorded on the day that it happens (i.e. chronological order, not sorted by topic/area)*.
  - A log of experiments conducted.
  - A record of data collected, or where data is stored following an experiment.
  - A record of any other daily research activities.
  - Very short summaries of important research articles read.
  - A write up of the aim of an experiment / study.
  - A detailed method for the experiment / study.
  - A record of meetings with supervisors or other group members.

<p class="citationleft">* on-line research diary / laboratory book software permits some organisation by topic/area whilst still maintaining time stamping and proper record keeping.</p>

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### Research diary or lab book
#### Paper record

Important for intellectual property reasons

e.g. proof that a discovery was made on a certain date

- Page numbered, bound book.
- Dates entered.
- Neat.
- Use permanent ink, no lead or liquid paper.
- Leave no pages blank. Partial pages that have no content crossed out with a line.

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### Research diary or lab book
#### Electronic research diary / lab book

<div class="container">

<div class="col">
  <h5>Appropriate</h5>
  <p>Electronic lab book software, e.g.</p>
  <ul>
    <li>LabArchives (Macquarie University subscription)</li>
    <li>Others available - consult your research supervisor for their preferred method.</li>
  </ul>
</div>

<div class="col">
  <h5><b>Not</b> appropriate</h5>
  <p>Any tool that can potentially be edited without tracking.*</p>
  <ul>
    <li>Word document.</li>
    <li>OneNote folder.</li>
    <li>Unformatted text file.</li>
  </ul>
</div>

</div>

<p class="citationleft">* There is a potential way to use Word document / OneNote as a research diary/lab book but involves additional steps. Periodically (weekly/monthly), the Word document/OneNote file is saved as a PDF, signed by the author and supervisor using Adobe Acrobat validated signatures, and locked from further editing. Each week's/month's document is then saved in a shared folder space.</p>

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### Research engagement
#### and research diary / lab book

<div class="container">

<div class="col">
<p>This assessment task is mostly about your engagement with your research and research team.</p>
<p>The lab book is only a proportion of that mark.</p>
</div>

<div class="col">

</div>

</div>

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### MEDI7042 <br>Research Rotations 2
# Introductory workshop
##### Unit convenor: Assoc. Prof. Mark Butlin (BE, PhD, SFHEA) (he/him)

Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences<br>Macquarie University. On the land of the Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

<a href="https://students.mq.edu.au/support"><img src="images/mq_support.png" alt="Student wellbeing logo. Wallumattagal peoples at Macquarie. LGBTQI+ Safe Space for Everyone" align="right" width=33%></a>

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### MEDI7042 <br>Research Rotations 2
# Presentation skills workshop
##### Dr Jen Rowland

Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences<br>Macquarie University. On the land of the
Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

<a href="https://students.mq.edu.au/support"><img src="images/mq_support.png"
    alt="Student wellbeing logo. Wallumattagal peoples at Macquarie. LGBTQI+ Safe Space for Everyone" align="right"
    width=33%></a>

---

### MEDI7042 <br>Research Rotations 2
# Reflective writing skills workshop
##### Dr Jen Rowland

Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences<br>Macquarie University. On the land of the
Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

<a href="https://students.mq.edu.au/support"><img src="images/mq_support.png"
    alt="Student wellbeing logo. Wallumattagal peoples at Macquarie. LGBTQI+ Safe Space for Everyone" align="right"
    width=33%></a>

---

### MEDI7042 <br>Research Rotations 2
# Academic writing skills workshop
##### Dr Jen Rowland

Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences<br>Macquarie University. On the land of the Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

<a href="https://students.mq.edu.au/support"><img src="images/mq_support.png" alt="Student wellbeing logo. Wallumattagal peoples at Macquarie. LGBTQI+ Safe Space for Everyone" align="right" width=33%></a>

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### Learning Evaluation of the unit
####
<p><b>This week</b> you have the opportunity to tell me <b>what you think of the unit</b>.<br>Survey on the right hand side on the iLearn landing page for all units.<br><a href="https://ilearn.mq.edu.au">www.ilearn.mq.edu.au</a></p>

<p>Please take a moment now to complete the survey*.</p>

<p class="citation">*This is not a wasted effort. Dr Butlin does engage with the feedback, retaining methods/content that are praised, and looking to fix areas identified for improvement.</p>