Course Syllabus

Research Assistant

 

DIS Logo

 

Semester & Location:

Spring/Fall - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Pre-Medicine, Health Science, Public Health

Faculty Members:

My Catarina von Euler-Chelpin

Program Director:

Tina Mangieri - tma@disstockholm.se

Time & Place:

Will be decided in consultation with research mentor

 

About the Research:
Mammography screening for early detection of breast cancer is offered in most European countries, as well as in the U.S. Breast density has turned out to be one of the more significant risk factors for breast cancer. Efforts have been put into studying the possibility of adding computer assisted diagnostics (CAD) for automated breast density analysis and cancer detection, but also to the possibility of using computer assistance in breast parenchymal texture analysis (i.e. other patterns than density and the associated risk of breast cancer).

In order to assess whether screening works differently in women with different types of breasts in terms of density and texture, we are currently using data from the Capital Region mammography program, Denmark. We are comparing the sensitivity and specificity for the different density and pattern measures and evaluating the positive predictive value. We will also be evaluating the relative risk of being true positive classifying the women by radiology assessed BI-RADS density, using both chi-square and logistic regression as a method of analysis. The project will also be working with at least one other European collaborator and their data.

With this background, and within the realm of more personalized screening, the Research Assistant will collaborate with a senior researcher in a project studying recent data from mammography programs with the aim of assessing measures of quality assurance in relation to varying density in populations at national and regional levels.

Researcher Bio:
My von Euler-Chelpin (Ph.D. – University of Copenhagen) is an Associate professor in Epidemiology at the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. She does register research mainly into programs of breast cancer screening, long and short-term outcomes and evaluating harms and benefits. She has collaborated with Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) in Seattle, Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), Barcelona and Department of Molecular medicine and Surgery at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm. Most recently she is studying the possibilities of different imaging procedures in relation to determining breast density, an important risk factor for breast cancer, in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen. She also holds a degree in Social Science, from University of Stockholm, and has earlier done register-based research at Statistics Sweden, UNESCO, Paris and Nairobi, and as a consultant for e.g. EU, Unifem, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Description of role and responsibilities of the Research Assistant

You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hrs per week on the project.

The specific interests of the Research Assistant will be taken into consideration and will play a role in deciding the focus of the work – for example, whether the focus should be on theory, epidemiological analysis, bio-statistics, or IT-related issues.

As research assistant you will:

  1. Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the term.
  2. Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
  3. Keep a research journal and/or send weekly emails to your research mentor describing the activities of the week, and outlining goals for the following week.
  4. Conduct literature reviews.
  5. Participate in carrying out the research project, e.g. data collection, analyses, writing, coding, documentation etc. The specific responsibilities in a given semester vary depending on the phase of the project and will be set by the research mentor at the beginning of the semester. Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable.  
  6. Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other disciplines.
  7. Make a final presentation of the research you are involved in orally and/or written, depending on what is agreed with your research mentor.

Learning Objectives

The primary objective is for you to experience the world of scientific research and gain experience that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the semester you will grasp the complexities of the research project, and have made your own contribution to the project. You will also have learned to communicate scientific ideas and findings, both orally and in writing, to members from your particular discipline as well as peers from other disciplines.   

Additional objectives include:

  • Conduct background reading (selected articles and reference material) and independently write an introduction to the project
  • Become introduced to statistical modeling, and, if appropriate, conduct analyses with statistical software
  • Analyze results related to the statistical model with research mentor
  • Develop an understanding of the specific challenges of epidemiological research and the investigative nature of the subject
  • Learn from contact with other researchers both inside and outside the Centre for Epidemiology and Screening

Readings

  • Online readings are provided in the 'Readings' folder under Files in the Canvas course page.
  • Epidemiology (Gordis, 5th edition, 2014) - pick up in the Library

DIS Research Resources

More information can be found on this page.

Approach to Mentoring

All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper - level than what is typical in the class room. However, mentoring also comes with some degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to be prepared for. The research mentor will work closely with you throughout the term but part of the training is also for you to use your own judgement, to make assessments and decisions. As part of planning your tasks and responsibilities together, the research mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.

Expectations of the Research Assistant 

The specific expectations of the individual research assistant are agreed at the beginning of the term. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative, take ownership of the project and work independently. Obviously, to be prepared for meetings and be willing to part take in scientific discussions. Carrying out a research project is not a straight forward and predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating about problems or issues that arise.

Data

The data sets are register based, on individual level, anonymized or pseudo-anonymized. If needed, the format can be adapted to the any prior knowledge of software the student might have. The project is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency 2016-41-4961, which is the approval needed for purely register based research in Denmark.

Evaluation and grading

All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor. It may include literature reviews, a poster presentation for an expert panel, a working paper, etc.

Participation 30%
Draft formulation 5%
Annotated reference list 20%
Paper/report draft 15%
Final paper/report 30%

Disability and Resource Statement  

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this.  In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

Policies

Attendance

It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software.  See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Academic Regulations

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.disabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due