I, S.Yadhavi am a first professional year medical student studying at Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute belonging to the batch of 2027. I have always been interested in research but thought that it was confined to laboratory research. Having no knowledge of the topic of research, I did not know where or how to begin and this course has changed my perspective on research.
Having taken this course, I have learned that there are many types of research and that any of us can do it. The classes have progressed from teaching us the very basic concepts, like what research is and what an abstract is, to educating us on how to write our very own research paper. This course provides detailed information on the need of a research question, structuring survey questions, manuscript writing, abstract formatting, how to ensure evidence-based practice, and much more. We are also introduced to new terms like variables which were explained thoroughly using examples thus helping me understand this difficult topic. We are being taught about every minor detail that requires attention to publish a stellar research paper. Each session ended with a specified period for doubts and discussions, where I had the opportunity to ask any questions I had and receive understandable clarification without judgment. We are taught to write research papers that meet the standards of not only national but also international papers.
The classes prepare me for research by improving my knowledge and this has automatically given me the confidence to publish my own research papers while being a medical student. It is a pleasure to be a part of this course and I thank FHTS for choosing me to share my experience.