Page 33 - Recommendations-for-biostatisticians-in-managing-and-conducting-medical-research-consultations

6.4 To actively participate in research and

scholarly work

People do not learn about research solely from textbooks or by attending lectures
inside the classroom. This is a similar concept to learn how to swim. Although we
cannot deny the fact that it is necessary for us to have a basic knowledge of water
safety and various swimming styles, however it is far more important for us to
actually go into the swimming pool to learn the different strokes of swimming. In
other words, those who have experienced the full journey of research will learn from
the research itself, by first getting to know how the scientific idea has been conceived
until the full research report gets published which shall then benefit many people in
the future.

Therefore, the knowledge gained from learning about research should be
complemented by the real-life experience of conducting a real research study; and both of
which are necessary for equipping a competent biostatistician to become a professional
research consultant. Besides that, by actively participating in research, one will be
encouraged to read scientific papers more avidly, and to share and disseminate his/her
knowledge and research findings through publication of scientific manuscripts and/or
deliver oral presentations during the local or international scientific meetings (or
conferences).

In addition, it will also be advantageous for a biostatistician to be appointed as a
reviewer to review scientific papers that have been submitted for consideration for
publication by international peer-reviewed journals. All these scholarly activities will
enable a biostatistician to further enhance his/her research skills by constantly applying
the knowledge and the relevant skills in biostatistics in a practical manner. Such a practical
application of biostatistics skills will be complementary to the knowledge gained from
attending lectures in the taught modules of biostatistics.