Introduction to scientific research
Objective of the module
To teach students to use all elements of research in biomedicine, from key research principles to publication of research results.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand the sources and paths of production of genuine knowledge, recognize types of clinical research studies, formulate a hypothesis and consecutively define main and secondary outcome measures, search for specific literature in relevant databases, critically appraise all parts of research reports, understand and apply the basic statistical concepts in biomedical research, present data with respect to their nature and meaning, understand the principles of evidence-based medicine and its use, understand the complexity of performing own research and apply principles of responsible conduct of research.
Searching the medical literature
Objective of the module
To teach students to independently search for key sources of funding and search for scientific information in online databases.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: list and describe the main sources of medical information, define their search strategy, analyze the publications of individual scientists, implement searches within the main databases, define the principles of evidence-based medicine.
Writing a research manuscript
Objective of the module
To teach students how to write research manuscripts, use reference manager software, prepare figures, and submit manuscripts.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: describe the structure of a research article, independently write a scientific article, demonstrate usage of the EndNote reference manager software, independently use online manuscript submission systems, and independently prepare a figure for manuscript submission.
Assessment of a research article
Objective of the module
To teach students to appraise the quality of research articles critically.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: critically evaluate publications, independently differentiate credible from poor sources of research information, independently assess the validity and reliability of research result assessments, and independently analyze the risk of bias in research.
Writing a research grant
Objective of the module
To teach students how to write a research grant proposal.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand basic concepts of research proposals and the importance of the principal investigator and optimal research surroundings, distinguish various formats of project proposals, understand the process of evaluation of various project components, analyze and compare various parts of a project proposal, discuss the importance of the summary, understand the body of the proposal, understand and appreciate time constraints and the format that is a prerequisite for writing a proposal.
General biostatistics
Objective of the module
To train students to independently evaluate the results of statistical analysis in published articles and develop their data analysis plan.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand and describe the basics of statistical reasoning; explain the results of statistical analysis; understand the use, advantages, and disadvantages of certain statistical methods; apply the algorithm for the choice of statistical tests; apply the methods for determining the sample size and statistical power of a study; synthesize knowledge of the study design; independently use statistical packages; present statistical aspects of the research results; critically evaluate statistical methods used in scientific articles.
Lab management and laboratory animal science
Objective of the module
To train students to perform basic laboratory procedures under supervision and to critically evaluate basic principles of research that involve experimental animals.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand the legislation and basic principles of laboratory work; manage human resources; describe and define procedures necessary for safe laboratory work; describe experiment planning procedures; describe basic laboratory equipment; use a laboratory notebook; name and explain the legislations involved in acquiring, care and use of animals in scientific research; describe and explain the methods for handling laboratory animals; describe the procedures for planning experiments in which laboratory animals will be used; define, describe and explain the 3R principles (reduce, replace, refine); critically analyze the basic ethical principles and ethical issues arising from the use of laboratory animals in research; name and describe the animals most frequently used in scientific research; describe, discriminate and explain the methods for anesthetizing and euthanizing laboratory animals.
Writing the research plan
Objective of the module
To train students to independently write a detailed plan of research related to the topic of their doctoral dissertation.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to independently prepare a research plan with 20 precisely defined elements: 1. Title of the research project, 2. Background, 3. Hypothesis, 4. Description and design of the study, 5. Sample, 6. Methods and procedures, 7. Main independent and dependent variables, 8. Treatment/intervention, 9. Main outcome measure(s), 10. Secondary outcome measure(s), 11. Calculation of the minimal sample size, 12. Statistical tests, 13. Possible biases and confounding variables, 14. Validity of the study, 15. Ethical approval, 16. Research funding, 17. Conflict of interest, 18. Literature (references), 19. Publication plan, 20. Authorship.
Researchers’ skills
Objective of the module
To train students in transferable skills.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: explain principles of critical thinking, define quality assurance principles, describe and apply data management principles, describe principles of teamwork and work with a mentor, describe basic principles of management of a research group, describe principles of international collaborative work, describe and analyze interpersonal relationships problems in the work environment.
Communication and presentation skills
Objective of the module
To train students to communicate with the media and professional communities.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: prepare a good presentation, present information in a highly efficient way, control public speaking anxiety, communicate with the media, prepare press releases, describe legislation related to media relations, describe principles of business correspondence, prepare a poster for a research conference, and organize a research conference.
Ethics in research
Objective of the module
To train students in critical analysis of ethical principles related to biomedicine and related disciplines.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand ethical principles and procedures related to research; explain ethical concepts of research on humans and experimental animals; apply basic knowledge in ethics to concrete research activity; relate the knowledge of ethical principles with the methodology of research; compare different ethical principles in different ethical requirements and rules in EU countries; interpret the recommendations of the Ethics Committee on ethical approval for research; assess ethical aspects of research proposals and acquire skills to participate in the work of ethics committees; accept ethical and social responsibility for the success of research process, social benefit of the research results and possible social consequences.
Entrepreneurship and transfer of technology
Objective of the module
To teach students skills in entrepreneurship and transfer of technology.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: understand how to become an entrepreneur; develop a successful business idea, independently and/or in cooperation with others; start an entrepreneurial company, independently and/or in cooperation with others; identify opportunities and generate ideas; perform a feasibility analysis; write a business plan; perform a competitor analysis; develop an effective business model; prepare appropriate ethical and legal foundations; assess the financial strength and viability of new ventures; construct a new business team; understand the importance of intellectual property; prepare for the challenges of growth and its evaluation; describe the strategy for growth companies; describe franchise.
