Research- Getting Started

When it comes to doing research at ICOM, there are a few different starting points:

• You can develop an idea you have already into a research project on your own.
• You can come up with a new research topic with help from an advisor or mentor.
• You can join an existing project.

Here are some things to consider before you jump in: 

• How long will the research take?
  • You'll have a year, at most, to do a research project while at ICOM, so don't choose a topic that will require longitudinal data.
• Will you be able to access the participants? 
  • If you want to do human subjects research, you are going to jump through a number of hoops
  • Even surveys require time and getting access to the population of interest. 
• Do you have access to the needed equipment/software/supplies?
  • Before starting a cool lab-based project, you need to make sure ICOM has the tools/equipment you need.
  • Are you going to need specialized software or databases? 

In the case of undergraduate medical research, small, bite-sized projects are best!