Moving from a training project to a real international project: an experience with an on-line mentorship model

Abstract

The International Research Interdisciplinary School (IRIS) program is a training for young researchers with a biomedical background who are interested in acquiring the methodological knowledge and experience in preparing a study protocol for a project. The IRIS program is an outcome-oriented problem-solving workshop designed to promote team collaboration. The paper describes the process of moving from the training project proposal into a real-life research project. It compares the initial proposal and its assumptions with the reality of writing a research protocol and management of the study. It also reflects on the obstacles met at each stage of the project (protocol preparation / team recruitment / data collection and analysis / manuscript writing) and strategies to overcome difficulties regarding conducting the study inspired by the training project proposal.

Keywords

• research study protocol preparation
• research management
• academic writing
• education