Writing a research application Ewa Ehrenborg 1

2 Research application Write a grant application 3-4 students/group Follow-up November 14 th, 21 st and 22 nd – 20 min/group Send in title by Friday November 29 th Use the application form provided Send in your application by noon, December 20 th Oral presentations on January 15 th and16 th Each group will act as opponent for one other group Assessment form

Research application: new for HT2013 Include writing a “popular science” project summary Early discussions/feed back - start with groups with topics relating to lectures at start of course → timetable issues regarding groups

4 Choose your own project within the “broad” topic allocated –Interesting –Relevant Supply provisional title by November 29 th Application form – Popular science description Research plan should be a maximum of 3 A4 pages (12-point text, single spacing) Provide a short reference list (max 20)

5 Group 1 1A Regenerative cardiology: 1B Thyroid diseases: Group 2 2A Cell death in metabolism: 2B Diabetes and co-morbidities Group 3 3A Inflammation in CVD: 3B Immunological aspects of gastric disease: Group 4 4A Coagulation: 4B MicroRNA and vascular disease: Group 5 5A Inflammatory lung diseases: 5B Allergy: Group 6 6A Aneurysm: 6B Vascular remodelling:

6 Discussion partner Facilitate the process and discuss the strategy NOT: Decide what to study Write the application Responsible for making contact The role of the mentor

7 Examples of previous titles The role of Natural Killer T cell subtypes in different stages of asthma An in vivo comparison of the cardiovascular effects of coffee diterpenes cafestol and kahweol in relation to diabetes

8 Follow-up meeting November 14 th, (6 topics – TBA) November 21 st, (3 topics – TBA) November 22 nd, (3 topics – TBA) Separate schedule on the web Present your plans Each research team ~ 20 min Support and discussions

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Summary/abstract Relevant (what is your research question?) Clearly written Easy to follow 11

12 Research programme Title Hypothesis/Aims Background Work plan including methods Importance/ impact of results References (max 20) 3 pages

13 Research plan - Title Informative Interesting - attention catching Not too long Should not contain abbreviations

14 Research plan - Aims/Hypothesis State clearly the aims of the research Explain the scientific hypothesis –Most important part of the application –State very clearly –Is it novel? –Is it realistic? –Is it possible? –Is it well planned?

15 Research plan - Background Introduce the field (generally + specifically) Place the proposed research in the context of what is already known (or not known) How would the proposed research add to current knowledge?

16 Research plan - Work plan Define clearly the proposed research –Which research questions can the work answer –Whom will carry out the work? –What facilities are needed? –What are the critical steps?

17 Research plan - Methods Describe the methods of choice –Explain the choice –Are they the best to meet the objectives? –If novel, how do they compare with already known methods? –Novel methods require detailed description –Validation –Sample size (refer to the work of others)

18 Research plan - Importance/Impact Explain how the proposed research would contribute significantly to: –scientific knowledge –society –health care –specific patients –commercial interests

19 Research plan - References Relevant publications (key papers) May include previous work published by the applicant Cite full reference (according to instructions)

Help the reader to understand - clearly state the hypothesis and aims - include an overview slide (strategy & context) - relevant background - well described work plan - appropriate methods - include titles in the references 20

What is the evaluator looking for? 21

Scoring the research question Low = Unclear wording, poorly constructed or previously conducted Mid = Interesting but conventional High = Innovative and extremely important. 22

Low = Materials, methods or applications are not entirely accurate Mid = Correct, but not original methodology High = Unique materials and techniques. Innovative, well thought through Scoring the methodology 23

24 Oral presentations January 16 th and17 th 15 min presentation/group min discussion 3-4 students/group – all students should present Everybody in the group should be able to present all parts of the application – lottery Each group will act as “opponent “for one other group Assessment form

25 Replacement assignment Consists of two parts: Your own research project –Application (filled in forms + research proposal) –Submit a relevant article that the application is related to and explain your choice –Powerpoint presentation of the application Opponent for an application from another group –Application will be ed to you before January 8 (KI mail address) –Critically assess the hypothesis, strategies, methods and importance of the study ( ̴ one A4 page) To be ed to by January

Take home message Clearly state the hypothesis/aims and how it will be tested Specify what should be measured and why Explain how the experiments/strategy can contribute to an increased understanding - could include an overview figure with strategies & pathophysiological context 26