MedRise MedicineresearchPublish Without a Lab: MedRise Beginner’s Course
Plan, run and write a publishable paper with no wet lab: case reports, reviews, surveys, chart reviews, QI and more.
Welcome to the MedRise Research Academy! This course will guide you step‑by‑step through planning, conducting, and writing publishable medical research papers – all without access to a wet lab.
Designed for medical students, residents, IMGs, and pre‑meds, the curriculum assumes no prior research experience and uses simple, clear language. You’ll learn how to choose a paper type, set inclusion/exclusion criteria, execute your research, and craft a submission‑ready manuscript.
How to use this course
- Start with Module 1 – Foundations to learn why research matters and how to set up your study.
- Use Module 2 – Navigator to choose which type of paper fits your question.
- Follow the research workflow and manuscript templates in the module for your chosen paper type.
- Check the quality/reporting checklist before you submit.
Modules 3–13
Paper types
Each paper type will get its own lesson with a workflow, a manuscript template and its reporting checklist. Until then, the checklist named here is the one most journals expect.
| Paper type | What it is | Reporting checklist | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Report (CARE) | Single patient with instructive/novel case. | CARE | In development |
| Case Series | Multiple similar cases. | Journal's instructions (often CARE-based) | In development |
| Narrative Review | Educational overview summarizing existing literature. | SANRA | In development |
| Systematic Review / Meta‑analysis | Comprehensive evidence synthesis with PRISMA guidelines. | PRISMA 2020 | In development |
| Scoping Review | Broad mapping of literature and gaps. | PRISMA-ScR | In development |
| Survey Study (Cross‑sectional) | Measure prevalence, attitudes, or knowledge via surveys. | CROSS (CHERRIES for web surveys) | In development |
| Retrospective Chart Review | Observational study using existing medical records. | STROBE | In development |
| Quality Improvement (QI) Study | Improve processes or outcomes in a healthcare setting. | SQUIRE 2.0 | In development |
| Medical Education Research | Evaluate educational interventions or curricula. | Depends on the design | In development |
| AI/ML Prediction Model Study | Develop or validate machine learning models using secondary data. | TRIPOD+AI | In development |
| Brief Report / Letter to the Editor | Rapid communication of a focused finding or commentary. | Journal's instructions | In development |
Anything that uses patient information, including case reports, case series, chart reviews and QI work you plan to publish, needs a decision from your institution's IRB or privacy office before you collect data. Case reports also need the patient's consent under most journals' policies.
Stuck on your first paper?
Tell us your idea and where you are, and we will point you to the next step.