How to Get Started
Research Projects
Research can be conducted individually or as a part of larger research group. Being part of a project is a great way to ease into research. In the start you will be taught the basics of the department/lab, then given small tasks which will grow as you learn and gain experience.
If you wish to participate in a research project, many RSU departments are very active in research, but sometimes the opportunities can be difficult to find, since most of them are announced internally within the departments. How does one find the projects?
- Departments and labs can have information on their RSU pages. This should be the first place to look for the projects or contact information for the project leaders. The departments can be contacted directly, their contact information is available in the RSU web page.
- The easiest way is to ask your teachers, lecturers, and professors if they know if the labs/departments have any vacancies in their projects. If you have been active during the classes, the teacher can recommend you to the team leaders of research projects you are interested in.
- The myRSU Research Platform has some active projects students can apply. The projects can be in Latvian or in English.
Please be respectful and use your official RSU student email (@rsu.edu.lv), otherwise the department might not be inclined to answer.
Things to keep in mind
- Be active! No project will fall onto your lap!
- There might be many students applying for the projects, some more seriously than others. Many departments have interviews or even waiting periods before the students can participate. This is to ensure that students are not applying just from a whim.
- The projects are time consuming work, and the departments and labs are looking for minimum commitment of 6 months to a year. Be honest how much time you can put into a research project.
- Some projects have requirements such as specific courses, study year or language, some have none.
- Sometimes it is just not your thing, or your university studies takes more time than you expected. Let the project leader know immediately and not just disappear into thin air. The departments appreciate straightforwardness.
Individual Research
- Step 1: Choosing the research topic
It is a myth that you need to be beyond preclinical subjects to conduct research. On the contrary, the earlier you start the better!
If you have no prior knowledge on research, the best way is to stick with the subjects you have already had or are currently having. For example, preclinical students can thing about anatomy, histology, biochemistry, or genetics as possible options. If you have prior knowledge or working experience, more options are available to you.
Finding a supervisor is easier if you already have in mind what kind of research you would like to do. Just saying that you would like to do research does not make you a very good candidate in the eyes of the possible mentor, because they do not want to do the work for you. Reading articles, participating in conferences, and speaking with students who have already done research may help to come up with an idea. Simply changing the research population may offer a myriad of new possibilities! For inspiration, do not forget to use RSU library resources.
- Step 2: Finding a supervisor
After coming up with the field for the research or even the specific topic, the next step is contacting the supervisor. Having a general direction and a topic, makes finding a supervisor easier. The supervisor will help to hone the idea, think about the type of research most suitable for the idea and discuss the limitations and challenges.
- The higher semester you are, the more you have met teachers, doctors, professors, and other experts, who might be able to help you.
- Attending Academic Society and Latvian Student Scientific Interest Group meetings of the specific field will offer you possibilities to meet not only possible mentors, but also students who have participated in research previously.
- RSU Research Portal collects information on the research output and activities of the academic and research staff in RSU.
Many students approach the university doctors and professors with ideas for research, but then quickly loose interest when it’s time to work. This leads to possible supervisors being careful with their time. If you are serious about doing research, do not give up even if you do not get an answer right away.
Please be respectful and use your official RSU student email (@rsu.edu.lv), otherwise the professional might not be inclined to answer.
- Step 3: Doing the work
Like previously mentioned, doing research is time-consuming work. Discuss with your supervisor how much time per day or week should be allocated to the project and how long the project is going to take overall. Do not make your schedule too tight since there can be setbacks and other changes outside of your control leading to delays.
Problems you might have to overcome
Lack of time - can be solved with good scheduling and time management.
Waiting in line – some departments and labs have waiting list for students interested in research, because
- there are a lot of students who would like to do research
- they want to see if the students are serious and stick around. Be patient and you will get your turn!
Lack of experience or appropriate courses – some departments offer research opportunities only to students who have already done pre-clinics or specific course. Do not be disappointed, you will get there eventually and in the mean while you can increase your knowledge of research in other departments.
Difficulties with language – being able to interact with the patients is important, especially in the clinical setting. The problem can be solved by
- learning proficient Latvian,
- having Latvian counterpart helping with the research,
- conducting the part of the research where patient interaction is necessary in your home country.
- Step 4: Presenting the research
RSU organises many conferences throughout the year where students can present their scientific work orally or as a poster presentation. Students may also apply for funding to present their work outside of RSU. In case you are interested presenting your work in an international conference, you can apply for funding. For more information, see “Financing research activities” below.
RSU Research Week – a multidisciplinary event comprised of a range of international research conferences on medicine, social sciences, public health issues and university teaching and learning designed to explore how excellent and relevant research is delivered at the University and beyond. Organized in March every other year.
International Student Conference (ISC) - a two day-event organized annually in March. ISC is managed by the Student Union and an organizing team to promote both local and international students’ participation with their research work in various sections of medical and social sciences. ISC was organized first time in English in 2014 and over the years it has grown to be one of the largest conferences in Baltic states. Several oral and poster sessions are organised together with a myriad of workshops, guest lectures and plenary sessions.
ISC – International Student Conference
RSU Student Morphological Sciences Conference – Organised annually in May since 2002 by the RSU Morphology department, offers an excellent starting point for any aspiring young researcher.
For more information, you may contact Assoc. Prof. Dzintra Kažoka at dzintra[pnkts]kazoka
rsu[pnkts]lv (dzintra[dot]kazoka[at]rsu[dot]lv) or Anatomy Circle rsuanatomygmail[pnkts]com (rsuanatomy[at]gmail[dot]com).- Step 5: Reap the benefits!
Conducting research comes with a myriad of advantages
- Understanding of how research is conducted and validated.
- Practice with time management, scientific writing, statistics, and critical thinking.
- Cooperation with peers and supervisors.
- The winning presentation in the RSU conferences will count as the author's final year Research Paper.
- It looks good on your CV!
- Post-graduation it might help with getting a residency, depending on the country and the specialization.
- Furthering the knowledge of the scientific community.
Financing research activities
Funding to Support Science
RSU Student Union offers funding for scientific activities several times a year for active students to better their skills and knowledge in forums, congresses, workshops, and conferences. The financial support is between 300 and 600 e.
RSU SU Funding to Support Science
RSU Student Research and Innovation Grants
Aimed to support and motivate RSU students to conduct research and improve professional skills. Students can apply in teams of 2-5. Applications for the grant are open once per semester for as long as financial resources are available and the applications are evaluated by the Grand Committee. The amount of the grand is between 1000 and 4000 e.
RSU Student Research and Innovation Grants
Research Related Courses at RSU
Research Methodology and Epidemiology
Students do not conduct research themselves, but the course aims to provide knowledge and skills in research methodology, how to read scientific literature and to understand what evidence-based medicine means. An A course in the 5th study semester.
Research Methodology and Epidemiology Course Abstract
Biostatistics
The course aims to teach basic knowledge and skills in statistical data processing methods, which are needed for scientific research. An A course in the 6th study semester.
Research Paper
An A course where student must produce a scientific research paper, sometimes also referred as “thesis”, which is mandatory to defend before the state exam in the 12th semester. The topics and available mentors are released officially at the beginning of 10th semester, but many students choose to start already during their 8th semester. You may also choose a topic of your own in a speciality you like. In this case one must contact the secretary of the department you would like to work with, to relate to an available mentor. After this, together with the mentor you must do the application to head of department about the topic of the paper as well as to the university ethics committee.
Additional Sources of Information
Academic Societies
If you are interested in specific specialization, you can participate in the international Academic Societies’ events, where you can meet students who are interested in the same field and mentors who are active in the student community.
- Latvian Scientific Student Interest Groups
Latvian equivalent to the Academic Societies. The meetings are mostly in Latvian, and occasionally in English.
International students are welcomed to join any meeting!
- Research Academy
Student Union & Alumni Association project organized in the form of lectures and seminars, within which it is possible to receive answers to basic questions that are relevant to every researcher. Some of the material is in English.
- Vertically integrated projects (VIP)
A project offering multidisciplinary opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for research in an in-depth and practical way.
- B-Space Business Incubator
B-Space Business Incubator provides students opportunities to experiment and create prototypes of their business ideas, meet like-minded people to build a team, consult with experts and receive support from mentors. Multi-disciplinary project, prior knowledge in business is not needed!
- RSU Doctoral School
RSU Doctoral School hosts a lot of interesting lectures and workshops in English: Doctoral School offers a lot of events in English.
- Research platform
The RSU Alumni Association in cooperation with the RSU Student Union has developed a research platform with the aim to enhance cooperation between students and researchers.
- RSU Career center
RSU Career center offers interships (Latvian).
- RSU research support