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Education Research Learning & Teaching

1 Introduction to your research project

Hello from me!

Summary of project ideas

1) Literature and data analytical review of the link between gut dysfunction and manifestation of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging clinical and laboratory research suggests that for example gut inflammation (cytokines, oxidate stress factors) drive degeneration and accelerate disease progression.
Devos D et al (2013). Colonic inflammation in Parkinson’s disease. Neurobiol Dis (50), 42-48. Available: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096999611200321X

2) “Mini”-systematic review and meta analysis of a subject of your choice. Learn more about evidence-based medicine. E.g. is vitamin C really helpful in colds (you will be surprised). Can artichoke leaves reduce cholesterol levels (maybe!). Do antioxidants really do anything clinically? (Hmmm).
Bjelakovic  G et al (2012). Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews  2012 (3). Available: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007176.pub2/abstract

3) If you are considering teaching as a career you will probably wish to consider a more relevant and education-based project. This will give you an opportunity to develop qualitative and quantitative research skills (hugely useful in every walk of life actually). I’d be happy to discuss and tailor something to your interests.

4) Physiology-laboratory projects – depending on numbers and the availability of the room. This would be of interest to me – looking at the effects of music on physiological parameters, exercise performance and perceptions of exercise.
Jarraya M et al (2012). The effects of music on high-intensity short-term exercise in well trained athletes. Asian J Sports Med 3(4): 233–238. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3525819/

OR – consider validating or using some of the medical APPS on the iPAD. There is a great one that measures snoring and is used to diagnose sleep apnoea.

5) Your own choice! You may have done a placement and have data already. GREAT

What to do next?

Book an appointment to come and see me! Use the Engage in Research website to understand how to get started and read all about the research process (which is the same regardless of what type of project you are doing. A literature review is not a cop out – it is a serious piece of work with strict methodologies and ways of analysing data too 🙂 )
As the video says, try and think of an idea and come up with a RESEARCH QUESTION as the first step.

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