Research Proposal Guidelines – Master’s Degree in Medical Sciences

General Information

The Master’s thesis serves as a framework for students to apply the research methods they have learned, including planning, execution, and data analysis, while employing scientific and quantitative thinking. The goal is for the thesis to be of a quality and scope suitable for publication in a scientific journal. The primary objective of the thesis is to train students in scientific reasoning and independent research.

Submission Deadline

• The student must submit the research proposal for the thesis by the end of their second semester of study.
• Deferral of the research proposal submission is permitted, at the latest, until the end of the first semester of the second academic year.
• A student committee will deliberate on terminating the studies of a student who has not submitted a request to defer the research proposal.
• Students planning to transfer directly to the direct Ph.D. track are exempt from submitting a Master's research proposal.

Submission Procedure

• The student must submit the research proposal for review by the advisor only at the end of the first year of Master's studies. After the advisor reviews the research proposal, the student must submit the research proposal, signed and approved by the advisor, to the Graduate School Secretariat: noacb@tauex.tau.ac.il.
• Note: This policy does not apply to Public Health students or students in the Department of Epidemiology. Please contact the School of Public Health's academic advisor for more information at sphconsult@tauex.tau.ac.il.

Format of the Proposal

The student must submit the research proposal in the following format:

• The research proposal may be submitted in English or Hebrew.
• The scope of the proposal is limited to 3 pages, with 1.5 line spacing, font size 12, on A4 paper. If preliminary results exist, they may be added as an appendix of up to 3 pages.

Structure of the Research Proposal:

1. Student's name and ID number.
2. Name(s) of advisor(s).
3. Title of the thesis in Hebrew and English.
4. Definition of the research topic and research questions.
5. Research work plan—methodological methods and tools.
6. Definition of the student's specific contribution to the research.
7. Optional (recommended): Preliminary results as an appendix (up to 3 pages).
8. Bibliography / References list.
9. Human Subjects: If the proposed research involves human experimentation, an approval from the University Helsinki Committee (for work conducted at the university) or a hospital Helsinki committee involved in the study must be attached by law.
10. Animal Research: If the proposed research involves animal experimentation, the student must attach approval from the University Animal Care and Use Committee, along with proof of completion of the course "Principles of Using Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research."
11. Laboratory Safety Form : Signed by both the advisor and the student.

Evaluation of the Research Proposal

To ensure that the proposed research achieves its objective, the advisor will review the research proposal based on the following criteria:

• The existence and foundation of a clear research question or working hypothesis.
• Evidence that the student has acquired and will acquire experience using a diverse and extensive range of research methods.
• The student has performed and will independently perform all or most of the proposed tests/analyses.
• Assessment of the degree to which scientific and experimental knowledge is imparted to the student, preparing them for independent research work in the future. Therefore, projects where the student's contribution is primarily technical (e.g., data collection, surveying, sorting, cataloguing) or largely based on routine lab tests or basic physical measurements (e.g., height, weight, pulse) will be rejected by the committee.
• Detail regarding data processing methods and statistical tests. Research involving observational elements or population interventions requires completion of mandatory methodological courses:
  • Introduction to Epidemiology (0158.1011) – 2 credits
  • Biostatistics (0158.1110) – 3 credits + lab/practice
  • Research Methods in Epidemiology (0158.1013) – 3 credits
• If the proposal is rejected, the advisor may allow the student to submit a revised proposal, instruct the termination of studies, or make another decision regarding their standing.