Why do we need to

perform research?
CRP Unit
Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University
 OUTLINE
A. What is medical research?

B. The importance of research

C. Performing research as a student

D. Performing research as a medical professional

E. Performing research as an academician

F. Bibliometrics

G. Developing your research track record

 A. What is medical research?
Research is defined as “a systematic investigation, including research
development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute
to generalizable knowledge.”

This is a broad definition that may include:

1. Biomedical research
2. Clinical research
3. Epidemiological studies
4. Health services research
5. Studies of behavioral, social, and economic factors that affect health.
 B. The importance of research

Health research is of high value to society

Health research has led to:

1. Understanding of pathogenesis
2. Development of therapies
3. Refining diagnostics
4. Remarkable improvements in public health and well-being
 B. The importance of research

Example 1:
• Medical records research led to the discovery that
supplementing folic acid during pregnancy can
prevent neural tube birth defects (NTDs)
• Studies in the 1970s found folate deficiency and
use of anticonvulsive drugs that deplete folate
were associated with higher rates of NTDs
• Studies in the 1980s found that use of folate
supplements was associated with decreased
rates.
• Population-based surveillance systems showed
that the number of NTDs decreased 31 percent
after mandatory fortification of cereal grain
products.
 B. The importance of research

Example 2:
• Data were collected from a cohort of more than
9,000 breast cancer patients whose tumor
specimens were consecutively received at the
University of San Antonio (1974–1992, from across
the United States).
• This database was analyzed to identify prognostic
factors, and the results showed that amplification
of the HER-2 oncogene was a significant predictor
of both overall survival and time to relapse in
patients with breast cancer.
• This information subsequently led to the
development of Herceptin (trastuzumab), a
targeted therapy that is effective for many women
with HER-2–positive breast cancer.
 B. The importance of research
Example 3:
• The Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR) technique, invented in 1985 by
Kary B. Mullis, allowed scientists to
make millions of copies of a scarce
sample of DNA.
• The technique has revolutionized
many aspects of current research,
including the diagnosis of genetic
defects and the detection of the AIDS
virus in human cells.
• Now marking its 35th anniversary,
PCR has become a ubiquitous
laboratory tool.
• Without the PCR, routine detection of
SARS-CoV-2 genes would not be
feasible today.
 C. Performing research as a student

Skills obtained by students

through research (Remes et al
2000):
1.analytical and critical thinking
2.research method
3.information gathering
4.critical analysis and review
5.data processing skills
6.science communication skills
 C. Performing research as a student

Research experience may also boost career

profile:
1. Research experience as a medical student is
strongly associated with postgraduate
research involvement (Reinders et al, 2005)
2. When a cohort of students at the Stanford
University School of Medicine was
encouraged to participate in research, 75%
gained authorship of a paper and 52%
presented data to a national conference
(Jacobs, 1995)

Good opportunity to contribute to science: in

Germany, for example, medical students
authored 28% of the publications of one
institution, including first authorship in 7.8% of
papers
 C. Performing research as a student

Paul Langerhans made his first major contribution even before Charles Best (left) was a medical student at the
he finished medical school through discovery of epidermal non- time that he and his supervisor, Frederick Bunting
pigmentary dendritic cells that are derived from the bone marrow (right), discovered insulin
and play a role in cell-mediated immunity.
 D. Performing research as a medical professional

There are few absolutes in science, and without inquiring minds

medicine will stand still.
(Neena Modi)
 D. Performing research as a medical professional

Medical professional– lifelong learning

Rapid growth in knowledge: have brought both a richness to the practice of

medicine as well as a challenge.

Benefits of research exposure:

1. increases understanding of clinical medicine
2. facilitates critical thinking and critical appraisal
3. improves prospects of successful application for post graduate training, grants, and high
impact publications
4. develops teamwork skills
5. increases exposure to the best clinical minds
 E. Performing research as an academician

Research is the catalyst for all changes in society:

1. Knowledge-driven growth is vital for all aspects of civilization, and benefits
students, universities, and the nation
2. Solution to many problems, not just in medicine but society in general
3. Research informs practice
4. Integral part of national and global development

Research is one of the most vital components of an academician’s career:

1. Candidates for tenure and promotion must demonstrate their research
impact and uniqueness
2. Faculty members applying for grant funding must provide evidence of the
merit of their research
 F. Bibliometrics – traditional metrics
Research is showcased through bibliometrics to display academic accomplishments, interact with
potential collaborators, and successfully compete for funding and promotion.
It is then equally important to understand the value and relevance of the currently available evaluation
metrics
 F. Bibliometrics – emerging metrics
The Altmetrics indicators (altmetrics.com) reflect public attention in a wider context and counterbalance
some of the limitations of the citation metrics.

Downloads, reads, bookmarks, shares, mentions, and comments on published items at any, not
necessarily scholarly, outlets of social media are now available to analyze public value of publications
(societal impact)

https://research.library.gsu.edu/altmetrics
 G. Developing your research track record
1. Participate in research projects and look for good mentors
2. Publish your results in credible journals
3. Apply for funding
4. Lead and develop your research projects
5. Keep writing and disseminating your research
6. Develop your personal research metrics:
– Apply for an ORCID.ID http://orcid.org/
– Create your author profile http://scholar.google.com/
7. Become a peer reviewer
 References
1. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health Research and the Privacy of Health Information: The HIPAA Privacy Rule;
Nass SJ, Levit LA, Gostin LO, editors. Beyond the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Enhancing Privacy, Improving Health Through
Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009. 3, The Value, Importance, and Oversight of Health
Research. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9571/
2. Laidlaw A, Aiton J, Struthers J, Guild S. Developing research skills in medical students: AMEE Guide No. 69. Med Teach.
2012;34(9):e754-71. doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2012.704438. PMID: 22905661.
3. Reinders JJ, Kropmans TJ, Cohen-Schotanus J (2005) Extracurricular research experience of medical students and their
scientific output after graduation. Med Educ 39: 237.
4. Remes, V., Helenius, I., & Sinisaari, I. (2000). Research and medical students. Medical Teacher, 22(2), 164-167.
5. Jacobs, C. D., & Cross, P. C. (1995). The value of medical student research: the experience at Stanford University School of
Medicine. Medical education, 29(5), 342-346.
6. AO, Christine Bennett. "Why all medical students need to experience research." Australian Medical Student Journal 34
(2016): 10.
7. Aslam, Fawad, Murtaza Shakir, and Muhammad Ahad Qayyum. "Why medical students are crucial to the future of research
in South Asia." PLoS Med 2.11 (2005): e322.
8. Jacob, H. (2016). Why all doctors should be involved in research. BMJ, 352.
9. Gasparyan, A. Y., Yessirkepov, M., Duisenova, A., Trukhachev, V. I., Kostyukova, E. I., & Kitas, G. D. (2018). Researcher and
author impact metrics: variety, value, and context. Journal of Korean medical science, 33(18).