What topics are typically covered in a basic biomedical research course?

Basic Biomedical Research Course Topics

A foundational biomedical research course should prioritize experimental design, research ethics, statistical analysis, and scientific communication as core competencies, with emphasis on reproducibility and rigorous methodology. 1

Core Curriculum Components

Research Methodology and Design

• Experimental design fundamentals including hypothesis formulation, ensuring testability, and achieving adequate statistical power 1
• Literature review skills to ascertain the exact state of knowledge before undertaking new investigation 1
• Protocol development covering study design, appropriate controls in clinical investigation, subject recruitment, and institutional approval processes 1
• Data collection methods including preparation of routine data forms and handling of artifacts, missing data, and outliers 1

Research Ethics and Integrity

• Ethical considerations in biomedical research including informed consent, protection of privacy, and patient protection principles 1
• Research misconduct awareness covering data acquisition/management, conflicts of interest, publication practices, authorship, and scientific conduct 1
• Risk-benefit analysis regarding both patient (subject) and societal implications 1

Statistical Analysis and Reproducibility

• Statistical inference methods and development of analytic approaches specific to research questions 1
• Best practices in experimental design emphasizing reproducibility, appropriate powering of studies, and inclusion of validated reference standards 1
• Critical analysis skills for evaluating experimental design and reporting in published literature 1

Scientific Communication

• Results presentation covering both oral and written formats, with emphasis that no investigation is complete until reported as a full paper in peer-reviewed journals 1
• Grant writing fundamentals including research plan development and funding proposal preparation 1
• Publication standards including adherence to reporting guidelines (ARRIVE, CONSORT, MIQE) and publication checklists 1

Practical Research Skills

Project Selection and Execution

• Leveraging institutional resources by exploiting intellectual and physical resources of immediate surroundings, including access to specialized equipment and neighboring laboratory expertise 1
• Distinguishing basic versus applied research understanding that basic research leads to serendipitous findings while applied research translates existing knowledge into therapies 1
• Experimental paradigm development including assays, models, designs, and data platforms 1

Reagent Validation and Quality Control

• Research reagent authentication covering antibodies, chemical probes, cell lines, and transgenic animals 1
• Minimum specifications for experimental reagents, probes, and tools to enhance research quality 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Methodological Deficiencies

• Publication bias through selective publication of positive results; courses should emphasize the value of publishing negative data 1
• Inadequate experimental powering leading to irreproducible results; training must emphasize appropriate sample size calculations 1
• Lack of reagent validation particularly for antibodies and tool compounds, which varies across research paradigms 1

Knowledge Gaps Across Disciplines

• Fundamental principles from established disciplines (physiology, pharmacology) are not fully appreciated across emerging areas like omics-based research 1
• Cross-discipline standards require emphasis on commonalities and basic principles shared across various research guidelines 1

Course Structure Considerations

Duration and Depth

• For clinical practitioners (Level 1): 6-12 months (up to 18-24 months) devoted to specific projects, which can be undertaken concurrently with clinical training 1
• For teaching and clinical investigation (Level 2): minimum 18-24 months dedicated to research training 1
• For substantive research commitment (Level 3): extended dedicated research time with progressive independence 1

Faculty Requirements

• Multiple faculty members with proven investigative skill demonstrated by published original research in peer-reviewed journals 1
• Critical mass requirement of several cardiovascular investigators (discipline-specific), with at least one full-time faculty member demonstrating clinical investigative skill 1

Emerging Curriculum Needs

Contemporary Research Challenges

• Transparency in reporting preclinical research as first step to improve clarity and effectiveness of peer review 1
• Meta-analysis methodology to improve translational research and cross-study analysis 1
• Data sharing and publication of refutations as recommended by NIH Rigor and Reproducibility guidelines 1