BASIC RESEARCH TRAINING IN NEUROSCIENCE
for Undergraduates
With the prospect of ameliorating neurosurgical health care, sound research training is both a never-ending journey and an ever-lasting goal in the neuroscientific profession. Too often, however, research skills remain in the hands of experts and specialists. The Hydrocephalus Research Group aims with the programme to lend a hand to medical students and democratise access to these skills. Drawing on the research group’s years of experience, the lighthouse project of Cairo-Greifswald Neurosurgery provides Basic Research Training in Neuroscience for undergraduates.
The programme’s mission is to facilitate a bridge of knowledge transfer between the different ranks of the medical hierarchy. Exploring a bottom-up approach to research practices, this programme seeks to lower the threshold for undergraduate medical students to voice their questions to medical specialists.
By means of intergenerational and cross-cultural dialogues, the programme is intended to create a platform to render the Hydrocephalus Research Group’s experience-based knowledge into a collective experience. The training is directed to research as a collaborative practice within a collective of peers and professionals. The development of both constructive, critical, and reciprocal relations with colleagues is thereby central.
The programme opens up a chance for students to exercise skills relevant to a professional research-oriented career in the field of Neuroscience. During the training, the undergraduates will be confronted with the technical aspect of research practice. The students will be guided in the process of researching and scientific writing. The emphasis is on the articulation of a critical approach to performing literature reviews, interpreting medical statistics, collecting data, and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
A particular focus of the programme will be on writing and publishing a co-authored scientific manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. By formulating, designing, executing, and publishing research, the craft of scientific writing is shown as essential to evidence-based medicine. Diagnostics, modelling of diseases, and developing treatments poses a great challenge in the field of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery. Concurrently, the training serves as an entry point for medical students to reflect on their role in knowledge production along with the prospect of becoming medical practitioners.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
MODULE 1: BASICS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Online Zoom Webinar
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Duration: 4 weeks
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Format: 4 didactic lectures
The first module grounds the medical students in the methods of scientific research. The webinar introduces the practical aspects of publishing academic articles in the field of Neuroscience. A particular focus in the module is on the basics of scientific writing. Drawing on online scientific libraries and databases, students will be guided in the process of searching for primary and secondary sources. The ability of the students to interpret medical statistics, conduct a systematic review and perform meta-analysis are essential indicators of qualitative research. A further concern is developing the skills to set up a patient data registry. ​
MODULE 2: HANDS-ON RESEARCH
Hybrid: Online & Onsite Cairo University, Egypt
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Duration: 6 months, 6/8 hours a week
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Format: research practice
The second module consists of a particular focus on hands-on research practices. Participants are supposed to position their research in relation to the substance of the literature in the related field. The skills to raise meaningful research questions and case studies are grounded in qualitative data collection and literature reviews. Protocol writing is the result of this critical evaluation of the data and literature. This review of published literature is a stepping stone for students to review, plan, and guide their own research projects. Proactivity and initiative are important characteristics of professional researchers. Accordingly, the students are encouraged to show independence in completing their assignments. However, access to guidance and coaching is provided under the supervision of the instructors.
MODULE 3: GRADUATION PROJECT
Online
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Duration: 3-6 months
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Format: research writing and evaluation
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The third module is dedicated to the practice of scientific writing and academic publishing. The students are expected to prepare their manuscripts for publication. The modules are overall designed for students to experience the full cycle of a research project including data collection, protocol writing, design and implementation of research, scientific writing, and academic publishing. The last module is concerned with the last phase of the research process. Apart from research writing, the process of publishing the manuscript allows students to develop a reflective mode toward their conduct of research. This evaluation enables students to formulate new questions for the future and gain deeper insight into why or if their research method and strategy were most relevant and productive.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Egyptian or German nationality/ Resident in Egypt or Germany (Foreign students with a valid Egyptian or German residency permit are welcome to apply)
Enrolled in the third year (or higher) of medical school at Cairo University or the University of Greifswald
English language proficiency
EVALUATION
Module 1: ​
Distant MCQ Exam
Attendance (100%)
Module 3: ​
Students who co-author at least one manuscript accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal pass and are qualified to earn the programme's Certificate of completion
APPLICATION BASIC RESEARCH TRAINING IN NEUROSCIENCE
CLOSED, NEXT CALL 2023
For questions please contact:
neurosurgery@uni-greifswald.de