(c) 2004, 2008 UCC Medical Society.

Research is one of those buzzwords you hear thrown around and maybe thrown up by someone who convulses at the thought of more work. It isn't as complicated as it sounds. Think of it like doing a school science project that actually means something.

If you are interested in getting involved, start with one of a really deep question: "what are you interested in?" If you like blood and guts, think of surgery. If you are taken by the complexity of the mind, think neuroscience or psychiatry. If you like taking pictures of people, think radiology.

For tips on how to complete your Final Year Project successfully.

If you are making a research poster, here is an excellent link.

What's this with reading journals? What is evidence-based medicine and why am I told I have to practice it? Benefits, drawbacks. UCC has an institutional subscription to many of the main medical journals that can be accessed from the UCC campus network (including CUH and halls of residence). Some journals charge an arm and a leg just to get one article for one day so it isn't worth reading in that case. See if you can find it somewhere else like in a library.

Medical computing is important. If you are interested in research, being familiar with certain programs is essential. The Epidemiology & Public Health and the Statistics SSM will all give you a taste of the tools that will make your life a lot easier in research.

In order to make research more accessible to students, there are several funding bodies that provide summer research grants. If you want to earn less than minimum wage for eight weeks of prime summer, this may be for you. Most that do it say it is an excellent experience and worth it. It can also be used to get a headstart on your Final Med project and be paid for the work (not kidding).

The UCC Medical School Research Page lists all the research groups at UCC. You can do your own investigating then bother one of the following for money to fund your research addiction:
HRB, Wellcome Trust, SFI UREKA.

It would also be nice to know who actually takes students for research. Any groups that would like a student to come on board are invited to advertise here on MedStud.