Emphasis, impact, do’s and don’ts in preparing a research proposal are just some of the topics for module 2 of the Mentorship Program. Module 2 of the mentorship program commenced last October 8 to 10, 2018, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. The Regional Health Research and Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) invited one renowned researcher in the Philippines who is an expert in the field of Chemistry and Biology and a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist awardee to facilitate the Mentorship Program. The moderator, Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, is a seasoned researcher who is a member of the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Chemistry and an Associate Vice President for Research in the University of San Agustin, Iloilo.
Module 2 did not only focus on the methodologies, but the moderator prepared an intensive one-day course on the essential elements in preparing a proposal for a grant. Some of the key elements of a research proposal are the title and abstract which must be aligned in the priority areas from the National Unified Health Research Agenda 2017-2022 of DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, the introductory paragraph that should engender enthusiasm on the ideas of the mentees, the objective must have well-defined endpoint, and a repetitive reminder of the moderator to always be clear and concise. After the lecture, Dr. Saludes suggested to re-write the entire proposal from introduction to objectives of the study. The following day, the mentees were given the chance to sit down with Dr. Saludes for a one-on-one critiquing. The third day continued the one-on-one for the fifth mentee thereafter a presentation for the revised proposal for critiquing of the moderator and peer was done. After module 2, the mentees are expected to submit their draft output for the 2nd Module to their respective mentors for review and comments and final output must be sent to RHRDC XI secretariat as basis for Module 3.
The 3rd Module for the Mentorship Program is scheduled on November 7-9, 2018.3
By: Mabel Diana M. Calipes