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Research Cell

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Research Cell

RESEARCH CELL

Research is the foundation of medical education, yet it has been ignored for decades. Medical professionals have recently recognized its value and acknowledged their lack of expertise in the field of research. The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council has likewise taken the initiative, making it mandatory for medical students in their third and fourth years to complete a research project in order to pass the fourth-year final professional test. In order to meet this criterion and assist students in completing research.

By establishing a research cell, we can also create a platform for our staff and students to engage in research activities such as study design and execution, data analysis, and dissemination of findings via publications and presentations.

Prime Medical & Dental College has created a research cell under the supervision of Prof. Saleemullah [Head of Department CM&PH] and Prof. Farman Ullah Wazir Principal Prime Medical and Dental College.

Research is an essential component of medical education and clinical practice. It not only advances our understanding of diseases and treatments, but it also supports evidence-based medicine.

Furthermore, a Research Cell can encourage collaborations with other research institutions and industrial partners, thereby promoting research excellence and innovation within our college. Furthermore, a Research Cell can foster relationships with other research institutions and stakeholders, encouraging research excellence and innovation at our college.

According to the PM&DC and SZAMBU curricula, community medicine teaches research methodologies to first, second, third, and fourth-year MBBS and BDS students.

Research Advisory Committee

The main function of Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is to support the development of a research environment and ensure accountability mechanisms for all functions of the research at Prime Medical & Dental College. Once annually, the RAC shall devote part of one meeting to the review of its policies, practices and procedures over the preceding twelve months. It also plan and oversee the yearly scientific symposium, which is a formal academic gathering held in institutional venues, offering a focused platform for the exchange of scientific research.

Once annually, the RAC shall devote part of one meeting to the review of its policies, practices and procedures over the preceding twelve months.

Appointed Members:

  • These members are appointed by the President of the research cell when a vacancy occurs.
  • An appointed position becomes vacant automatically if the appointed member is absent without prior leave from three consecutive Research Advisory Committee meetings, or the appointed member loses his/her original qualification for appointment.
  • The term of office of an appointed member is three years. Appointed members may stand for re-appointment.
  • President Research Cell will support the smooth running of the Research Cell, provide administrative support, maintain harmony in the Research Advisory Committee and support in developing a research environment at Prime Medical and Dental College.
  • The In-Charge Research and Development Unit will coordinate with RAC and departments to facilitate research activities at the institute and will maintain a record of RAC meetings.
  • Other members will support research activities and research culture at the institute.

The Undergraduate Members: Two undergraduate students from the senior are nominated by the committee as per their performance related to research.

Members of the Research Advisory Committee

Appointed Members:
  1. Prof. Farman ullah Wazir - Principal Prime Medical & Dental College. (President of Research cell)
  2. Prof. Ambreen Asad - Dean Basic Sciences (Member)
  3. Prof. Muhammad Fayaz Khan Burki - Dean Clinical (Member)
  4. Prof. Saleemullah, In-Charge Training Cell (Member)
Undergraduate Members:

Two undergraduate students from the senior classes are nominated by the committee as per their performance related to research.

  1. President Student Research Society
  2. Vice President Student Research Society Prime Medical and Dental College. Islamabad

Institutional Ethical Review Board

IERB of Prime Medical and Dental College consists of a diverse group of members with varied backgrounds and expertise to ensure a thorough and independent ethics evaluation of research projects. Members with a multidisciplinary background, includes basic medical sciences, clinicians, social science, public health, and statistics, who are expected to be well conversant with social values. There is a representation from different genders and age groups.

The goal is to promote complete and adequate review of research, maintaining independence and objectivity. The chairperson and members, appointed are:

  1. Prof. Saleemullah (President)
  2. Prof. Ambreen Asad - Dean- Basic Sciences (Member)
  3. Prof. Muhammad Fayaz Burki - Dean- Clinical and Allied Sciences (Member)
  4. Dr. Munaza Iftikhar (Member)
  5. Dr. Mukammil Shah Yousafzai (Member)

Undergraduate Research Project Management Guidelines

1. Organising and managing the research groups.

  • To organise students into effective research groups, form each group of 5 students (one group leader will select 4 members of his/her choice who preferably belong to diverse perspectives).
  • Establish clear roles, set agendas for scheduled meetings with supervisors, ensure equitable workload, and create communication channels for regular progress sharing, emphasizing accountability and kindness.

2. Institutional Review Board.

In research settings, an Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB) or Ethical Review Committee (ERC) is a mandatory body that protects human and animal subjects by monitoring studies for continued ethical compliance, ensuring research adheres to high ethical standards, evaluating proposals for risks vs. benefits, supervising informed consent, and protecting participant rights. By assessing technique, recruiting, data confidentiality, and potential participant welfare, these committees are essential for approving research, particularly in the medical and health sciences.

3. Setting targets and timelines: (Duration of study 07 Months)

  • Topic selection/approval - Problem Statement/ research Question - Literature review - Setting Aim & Objectives - Methodology ....................................01 month
  • Proposal of research/Synopsis (Format attached as Anx "A") submission/approval- Ethical Review Board & supervisor .................................... 01 month
  • Data Collection .................................... 02 months
  • Data Analysis and representation - Discussion and Conclusion - Study Report writing, submission, review and final approval by supervisor .................................... 02 months

4. Submission of 2x printed copies of approved study in the community medicine department for evaluation, grading and marking in the 4th year Annual Prof Examination.

Attached: a. Anx A: Format of synopsis by CPSP | b. Anx: B. Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB) | c. Anx: C .How to Write a Research study/ppt

FORMAT OF SYNOPSIS (Anx.A)

Before beginning work on an article, FCPS trainees must submit a synopsis to the Research Evaluation Unit (REU) for approval. The synopsis is a brief outline of the proposed research, limited to approximately four A4-sized pages or a maximum of 1,000 words.

A synopsis must have the following headings:

TITLE:

Should reflect the objectives of the study. It must be written after the whole synopsis has been written so that it is a true representative of the plan (i.e. the synopsis).

INTRODUCTION:

Should contain brief background of the selected topic. It must identify the importance of study, its relevance and applicability of results. It must clearly state the purpose of the study.

OBJECTIVES:

An objective is an intent of what the researcher wants to do stated in clear measurable terms."

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION:

Is the definition of the exposure and outcome variables of interest in context to objective in a particular study and their means of measurement/determination.

Examples:

  • Anemia
  • Effectiveness
  • PPH
  • Wound healing

HYPOTHESIS:

A hypothesis is a statement showing expected relation b/w 2 variables. A hypothesis is needed in the following study designs:

  • All interventional studies
  • Cohort
  • Case control

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

STUDY DESIGN:

Mention the name of the appropriate study design.

SETTING:

Name and place where the research work is to be conducted.

DURATION OF STUDY:

Indicate the total study duration.

SAMPLE SIZE:

How many patients will be included. If there are groups how many in each group?

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Type of sampling technique employed.

SAMPLE SELECTION:

Inclusion criteria: On what bases will patients be inducted in the study?

Exclusion criteria: On what bases will patients be excluded from the study?

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE:

A detailed account of how the researcher will perform research; how s/he will measure the variable. It includes:

  • Identification of the study variables
  • Methods for collection of data
  • Data collection tools (proforma/questionnaire), and informed consent form

DATA ANALYSIS PLAN:

Relevant details naming statistical software to be used, which descriptive statistics and which test of significance if and when required, specifying variables where it will be applied.

REFERENCES:

Use Vancouver style for citations.

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT:

The researcher must attach, as an annex, the proforma or questionnaire and informed consent form with the help of which he/she intends to collect data. The proforma/questionnaire must match the objectives and must not contain irrelevant sections like inclusion and exclusion criteria etc.

INSTITUTIONAL ETHICAL REVIEW BOARD APPLICATION FORM (Anx.B)

For Official use:

Date application received: _____________ Protocol No. _____________

Full Review ☐ Expedited Review ☐ Exempted Review ☐ Renewal or Modifications ☐

1. Project Title:

Researchers Names/Designation | Institutions | Signature

  • Principal Investigator
  • Co-Investigator
  • Co-Investigator

Submission category: (√ Check all that apply)

☐ Therapeutic drug(s)
☐ Non-approved dose for approved drugs
☐ Diagnostic Research
☐ Experimental surgical procedures
☐ Experimental use of Devices
☐ Molecular/Genetic studies
☐ Infectious agents
☐ Animal Research
☐ Patient data
☐ Behavioral Research
☐ Community Research
☐ Radioactive agents
☐ Others (please specify): _____________

2. Project Summary

(Please give a brief background of the study in 250 words or less):

Objectives:

Description of research design/methods/protocol: (brief detail of any experimental drug/medical device including dosage, side-effects, invasive/non-invasive procedures, if applicable):

3. PROPOSED RESEARCH SUBJECTS:

Subject information.

  • a. Group: ☐ Patients ☐ Healthy Subjects ☐ Others
  • b. Age range: _____________
  • c. Gender: ☐ Male ☐ Female ☐ Both
  • d. If vulnerable subjects (children, pregnant women, soldiers in service, mentally handicapped individuals, foetus) are involved, give brief explanation to justify the need
  • e. Inclusion and exclusion criteria of patients and controls (type separately).
  • f. Expected duration of study period From: _____________ To: _____________

4. POTENTIAL RISK TO THE PARTICIPANTS

  • a. Describe adverse effects/risks expected to the subjects involved in the investigation during the study?
  • b. What are the provisions/measures for managing these cases?
  • c. Specify the potential benefits of the study to the participants, if any:
  • d. Specify the potential benefits of the study to the society at large, if any:

5. FUNDING

Source of Funding: _____________

6. SETTINGS /FACILITIES TO BE USED FOR THE STUDY

(In case of multi-centered studies, kindly list the name of participating centers/countries):

  • a. ☐ Inpatient Department(s) (Please specify): _____________
  • b. ☐ Outpatient

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA STORAGE:

How will confidentiality of the data collected be maintained?

8. CONSENT FORM OF PROPOSED STUDY AS PER ETHICAL GUIDELINES ATTACHED?

☐ Yes ☐ No

9. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

10. DECLARATION BY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

As Principal Investigator, I am responsible for the ethical conduct of this study and will adhere to any stipulations of the PRIME MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGE-IERB, protect the rights and welfare of research subjects. I agree to conduct the research as presented in this application and as approved by the PRIME MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGE-IERB, and am qualified to perform the procedures described herein.

I will submit any proposed changes/modifications for review and approval before these are implemented. I agree to notify the IRB of any adverse events that may occur during the study.

I certify that the information provided in this application is complete and accurate.

Signature of Principal Investigator: _____________

I have reviewed this proposal and agree that it is scientifically and ethically sound. I feel that facilities are adequate for research. I recommend the participation of the concerned personnel of my department in this study.

Signature of Dean/Principal/HoD: _____________

11. (FOR IRB OFFICIAL USE ONLY):

PMDC' ethical committee decision:

This request for ethics approval has been:

  • a. ☐ Approved (no additional ethics form is necessary)
  • b. ☐ Approved with conditions (see below comments)
  • c. ☐ Declined

Comments: _____________

Signature and Seal of Chairman IRB: _____________

Signature and Seal of Director/Dean Research: _____________

Contact Research Cell

Email

research@pmci.edu.pk

Phone

051-5139110

Location

Research Cell Office
Prime Medical College