Soft skills in clinical research are important for a researcher

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Attributes of Effective Researcher
Dr Nupur Gupta
Director, Well Woman Clinic
Consultant & Unit Head
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Paras Hospital, Gurgaon

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“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the
unreasonable man persists to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable.”
George Bernard Shaw

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What is Research?
 Research is the continuous discovery & exploration of the unknown, an
investigation of new facts leading to the discovery of new ideas, new
methods or improvement.
 Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena, which includes
collection, presentation, analysis & interpretation of facts that link man’s
speculations with reality.
 Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after thorough
study and analysis of the situational factors.

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Objectives of Research
 To seek new knowledge and answer the question
 Provide useful information in the form of verifiable data
 To advance human knowledge and satisfy curiosity

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Characteristics of a Researcher
Intellectual curiosity
Healthy criticism
Intellectual Honesty

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Qualities of A Researcher
 R – research oriented
 E – efficient
 S – scientific
 E – effective
 A – analytic
 R – responsive
 C – creative
 H – honest

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To be a good researcher one certainly needs…
1. An analytical mind
Need of constant analysis of variety of factors.
Urge to get the answers of different questions
Why does the client ultimately want to do this research?
What is the appropriate methodology?
When should this research take place?
What are the appropriate questions to ask and how?
Why did the respondent say that?
What are the findings telling us?
Why are they telling us that?

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To be a good researcher one certainly needs…
2. A people person
- important to work with professionals & consultants in friendly environment
- to get the best out of interview / focus group participants
3. The ability to stay calm
Sometimes stressful with pressing deadlines or problems with a data set
In such situations need to keep focused and think logically – there will always
be an end point, even if it doesn’t feel like it!”
4. Intelligence
Research requires critical analysis but most of all common sense

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To be a good researcher one certainly needs…
5. Curiosity
“You may have the necessary intelligence but if you are not curious
enough then you won’t be passionate about delving deeper to
unearth more insight
6. Quick thinker
“Things don’t always go to plan so you need to be able to think fast”

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To be a good researcher one certainly needs…
7. Commitment
“It’s a tough job – the hours can be long, the deadlines short”
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
9. Sympathetic
“Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents’
moans and groans is always a good skill to have!”

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To be a good researcher one certainly needs…
10. Systematic
Check, check and check again
“Attention to detail - the ability to ensure that data is accurately
presented and reported”

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Understand Stats and Team Work
no need to be a statistician,
aware of basic mathematical & statistical principles
to appreciate and interpret results
Considering that modern research usually requires the contribution of more
than one person, team spirit and realising that each protocol has to be
placed on a cooperative basis is essential for reaching an optimal and
meaningful outcome.

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There is a researcher within all of us just
waiting to be let loose…
Multitude,
Competent,
Knowledgeable &
Skillful
QUALITIES of RESEARCHER

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Dynamic thinking
Open-minded
adopt a critical way of thinking
 Hard working, diligent, focused and devoted to specific field of
interest
QUALITIES of RESEARCHER………………

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Notable attributes of people who tread the
path towards discovery:
1. A good researcher manifests thirst for new information.
Ready to accept new things.
Ready to explores new grounds.
 Adopts the philosophy of “thinking beyond the box“,
Innovative.
2. A good researcher has a keen sense of things around him.
 Has an observant attitude.

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Cont.
3. A good researcher likes to reflect or think about the things he
encounters.
Knowledge, easily reflects through their work & experience
Have more creative ideas
4. A good researcher must be intelligent enough to express his ideas.
Skilled in expressing ideas
Good in communication

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CONT…
5. A good researcher applies a systematic approach in assessing
situations.
In built attitude of systematic and objective thinking
Moreover logical
Easily analyze things & meaning
Ability to break down a complex situation into manageable bits

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Excellent Researcher
One has to possess a certain gift which can neither be
taught nor learned, but is rather inherent
There are innate qualities that researchers must possess in
order to succeed in this challenging task which requires a
lot of imagination and perseverance.
Remember there is a researcher within us. It is just waiting
to be unleashed.

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Suggested reading
Characteristics of the Good Researcher: Innate Talent or Acquired
Skills? CHRISTODOULOS I. STEFANADIS 1st Department of
Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration
Hospital, Athens, Greece, Hellenic J Cardiol 47: 52-53, 2006
J Invest Surg. 2012 Aug;25(4):201-2. doi:
10.3109/08941939.2012.701543.

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you