Volunteer Selection Requirements

1. Research Knowledge: Minimum intermediate level.

Process Timeline:
 Volunteer Form Distribution: Scheduled for Monday.
 Evaluation of Selected Members: To be conducted on Wednesday/Thursday.
 Lecture Outline: Research Basics
Presenters: 1-2
1. Introduction to Research
 Definition and Importance: Begin by defining research as a systematic investigation
to establish facts, develop new ideas, and contribute to existing knowledge.
Emphasize its importance in advancing science, healthcare, and societal
understanding.
2. Why Conduct Research?
 Purpose: Explain that research is essential for addressing unanswered questions,
solving problems, and improving practices. It helps inform policy decisions, guide
clinical practices, and contributes to academic knowledge.
3. When to Conduct Research
 Identifying Gaps: Discuss how researchers should look for gaps in existing literature,
emerging trends, or pressing issues that require investigation. Emphasize the
significance of timing in relation to funding opportunities, advancements in
technology, and societal needs.
 During medical education
4. How to Conduct Research
 Research Design: Introduce the concept of research design as the framework for data
collection and analysis. Highlight the importance of formulating clear research
questions and hypotheses.
 Methodologies: Briefly discuss qualitative vs. quantitative methods, including
descriptive, experimental, and observational studies.
5. Where to Conduct Research
 Research Settings: Identify potential settings for research, such as universities,
hospitals, laboratories, or community organizations. Discuss the importance of
selecting a relevant environment that aligns with the research objectives.
6. Who can conduct a Research
7. Types of Research
 Overview of Types: Provide a brief overview of various types of research (e.g.,
qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods) with a focus on descriptive studies.
 Descriptive Studies: Explain that descriptive studies aim to provide a detailed
account of a phenomenon, population, or situation without manipulating variables.
They are essential for generating hypotheses and understanding the context.
8. Literature Reviews and Cross-Sectional Studies
 Literature Reviews:
o Define literature reviews and discuss their purpose in synthesizing existing
research, identifying gaps, and establishing a theoretical framework for new
studies.
o Emphasize the importance of a comprehensive review in informing research
design and methodology.
o Quality of paper and publication: good and bad literature review
 Cross-Sectional Studies:
o Define cross-sectional studies as observational studies that analyze data from a
population at a specific point in time.
o Discuss their advantages, such as being cost-effective and quick to conduct,
while also mentioning limitations like inability to establish causation.
9. Timeline for Research
 Planning Phases: Outline the key phases in a research timeline, including:
o Formulating research questions
o Conducting literature reviews
o Designing the study
o Collecting and analyzing data
o Writing and disseminating findings
 Sharing Resources: Provide examples of resources available for researchers, such as
databases, libraries, and online platforms.
10. Importance of the Title
 Crafting an Effective Title: Explain that a well-crafted title should be clear, concise,
and informative, reflecting the study’s main focus and attracting interest. It sets the
tone for the research and can influence publication success.
11. AI: DO’S and DON’Ts
 Plagiarism
 Language review
 Resources and material
 Citations
12. Publication Methods and Types of Publications
 Publication Process: Briefly outline the steps involved in publishing research,
including manuscript preparation, submission, peer review, and revisions.
 Types of Publications:
o Original Research Articles: Presenting new findings.
o Review Articles: Summarizing existing research on a topic.
o Case Reports: Detailing unique patient cases.
o Conference Proceedings: Sharing research presented at conferences.
o Quality of journals ( pred, lack of authorship)
13. Conclusion
 Recap Key Points: Summarize the importance of conducting research and
understanding its processes.
 Encouragement: Encourage the audience to engage in research, highlighting its
potential impact on their fields.
14. Research ethics
Workshop Plan: Kickstart to Writing Your Literature Review
Overview
 Workshop Title: Kickstart to Writing Your Literature Review
 Duration: 1:30 hrs
 Target Audience: Dandy TSMU EUMD members, ICRS, SSG
 Expected Attendance: 30 ±
 Exclusivity: Pre-registered members only

Requirements
 Pre-registration Form
 Devices Needed: Laptop/Tablet/iPad for each attendee.
 Volunteers Required: 7-8
o Moderators: 1-2
o Mentors: 6

Group Organization
 Group Themes: Attendees will be divided into 5 groups based on research themes:
Examples:
1. Epilepsy
2. Neurooncology
3. Neurosurgery Advancements and Approaches (AI)
4. Neurodevelopmental disorders & Neurodegenerative diseases
5. Gut-Brain Axis
 Group Allocation: Themes can be pre-decided or chosen based on registration form
responses.

Workshop Structure
1. Pre-workshop
o Group Allocation: Members emailed with the number of their group
o Email Distribution: Send attendees a detailed document outlining the steps to
draft a literature review. And the agenda of the workshop + aims and
objectives.
2. Welcome and Introduction (5-10 minutes)
o Brief overview of the workshop objectives.
o Introduction of moderators and mentors.
3. Group Division (5 minutes)
o Allocate attendees into their respective groups based on themes
4. Workshop Sessions (1 hours)
o Each group will work with their allocated mentor.
o Moderators will guide attendees through the steps of drafting a literature
review:
 Step 1: Define Research Question
 Step 2: Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search
 Step 3: Evaluate and Select Sources
 Step 4: Organize Findings
 Step 5: Develop a Structure
 Step 6: Write the Literature Review
  Step 7: Finalise references
 Step 8: Revise and Edit
5. Wrap-Up and Q&A Session (10 minutes)
o Discuss key takeaways and answer questions.
o Outline next steps for continuing their literature reviews.
6. Follow-Up (Post-Workshop)
o Mentorship Access: Provide contact information for research team members
for ongoing support.