1. Honours & Research Opportunities Evening
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2. How to get involved in undergraduate research
I wish to arm you all with a clear concise approach for getting involved in research
Seems daunting at first but really becomes easier once you start doing it
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3. 1. Consider what research you want to do
Timing: Vacation/during the term/Honours
Area of interest: ENT? Endocrine? Anything and everything?
Type
1. Consider what research you want to do
Lab-based
Clinical
“Data-based”
Direct contact
First consider what research you want to do
Do you want to do vacation summer research? Or research alongside your course work? Or have a GAP year dedicated to research in the form of Honours
Consider what area of medicine you wish to research. You may not have narrowed down your options at this point so anything and everything will be fine
Consider the type of research you want to do. Many people do not realise
Classification is not entirely comprehensive excluding some special options e.g. research into medical education
Pictures:
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UoA 2017 Honours & Postgraduate Research Opportunities document
Download via AMSS website
Basil Hetzel Institute website
2018 BHI Honours & Postgraduate Student Research booklet
Check out their research themes
SAHMRI website
2. Find the research
Next you need to find the research
These are 3 really good sources for finding out about what research is going on in Adelaide, what groups are taking in students and the contact details of their supervisors
Just note that the projects listed are not necessarily the ones you would be working on if you joined the group. Rather, the use of this information is to see what sort of projects and areas the research group is involved in. If their projects interest you then likely the project they would involve you would also interest you.
2 documents summarising this
Basil hetzel institute – research building across from the TQEH
You all know of the cheesegrater
Website descriptions on the BHI website and SAHMRI
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5. 2. Find the research (no luck so far?)
Google “(specialty of interest) research Adelaide”
Hospital department e.g. plastic surgery
hospital unit directors
2. Find the research (no luck so far?)
Not all research ongoing in Adelaide is listed in that document.
If you have not been able to find research in your area of interest, I would suggest you trying these measures
Googling something like neonatology research Adelaide may lead you to finding the details of a relevant research group
If no luck there, try going to the web page for the hospital department in your area of interest and using the contact details listed
Otherwise, consider ing hospital unit directors directly, They are often aware of the research ongoing in their specialty in Adelaide and may be able to directly help you or refer you onto other colleagues.
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6. 2. Find the research (don’t forget)
Talk to lecturers / doctors on the wards
2. Find the research (don’t forget)
But don’t forget the resources right in front of you. Talk face-to-face with lecturers or your supervisors on the wards and ask them about research opportunities.
I myself first got involved with my honours research group through talking with a lecturer from a case wrap. He referred me onto Prof Michael Horowitz and Prof Rayner.
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7. 3. Contact potential supervisors
Use the contact s available in the docs.
Let them know you are:
A year __ medical student
With a particular interest in
Keen to get involved in research
If no response….
Re-
Try another contact address
Contact an alternate group
Organise to meet
3. Contact potential supervisors
Contacting potential supervisors is simple if you find them by those documents I mentioned. Their details will be listed.
In your , let them know you are a keen medical student and that you wish to discuss research opportunities.
Worth mentioning your year level as in the supervisor’s mind it will determine what sort of projects you may be suitable for
In saying that, there is no harm in getting involved in research early. The research component of the course may be in 3rd year but don’t let this stop you from finding your feet earlier than this if you are keen.
Unfortunately, supervisors are busy and not all of them check their s frequently.
Picture:
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8. 4. Meet your supervisor and plan your research
Now you’ve reached the pot of gold
You can now organise the research project. The supervisor will likely have one in mind for you.
Keep in mind, they may also not have research suitable for you but have organised the meeting because they want to help you get involved in research anyway. In which case, make use of the situation and discuss the opportunities available to you.
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9. 5. Apply for scholarships
Google
Don’t forget…. Ask your supervisor!
5. Apply for scholarships
One last step. Apply for free money. Seriously, research takes time that you could otherwise spend working for money. There are many scholarships out there, particularly for vacation and Honours research, that can ease your financial situation while undertaking research.
I’ve listed those I am aware of on this AMSS webpage.
There is a search function on this University of Adelaide website for looking up further scholarships
And these webpages are certainly not completely comprehensive, more can often be found via googling.
Don’t forget to ask your supervisor. They are likely to be aware of scholarships out there available to you.
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10. Summary (& any questions?)
Consider what research you want to do – timing, area, type
Find the research
honours-opportunities/
Contact potential supervisors
Meet supervisor and plan your research
Summary (& any questions?)
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