Internship Radboud University Medical Centre

Description of the organisation

SYRCLE is a unique and innovative research centre focussing on the continuous improvement of scientific quality and transparency of laboratory animal science and of animal welfare. Its current focus is on systematic reviews (SRs). These improve 1) the quality of scientific research, 2) the search for, and implementation of, the 3Rs (Refinement, Reduction, Replacement) and 3) patient safety. SYRCLE facilitates the development of guidelines for SRs, as well as the conduct and education of SRs.

Description of the internship

Since decades, the methodology of Systematic Reviews (SRs) have been a well adopted in the field of evidence-based medicine. This approach has led to major improvements in the methodological and reporting quality of human clinical trials such as randomization of patient and treatments, and blinding the outcome measures for the researchers. In pre-clinical research, which is often animal-based, the conducts of SRs is still very rare, despite the emerging evidence that many animal studies are biased and thus of decrease scientific value. Recent studies have showed that the conduct of SRs of animal studies can improve scientific research quality, animal welfare and also patient safety. In order to improve the implementation of the SR methodology in animal based research we need to investigate which factors influence (positive or negative) this process. The student will develop a suitable study design to address this matter and will explore for example research methodologies (surveys, interviews or focus groups) and target groups (researchers, project leaders, funding bodies). A pilot trial can be part of the thesis project. The desired end result is a detailed qualitative study design which can be launched in 2013.

Period

Summer / autumn 2012 (6 months)

Location

Nijmegen

Language requirements

Dutch and English