To: Dr.

Kozmova
From: Rammy Dang
Subject: Proposal for a Training Manual for new Research Assistants Commented [AG1]: Capitalize?

Hello Dr. Kozmova,

When I first started working as a research assistant for the Human Sleep and Inflammatory Commented [AG2]: I would recommend breaking up this
Systems Lab, it was easy for me to absorb the information you provided during the training first paragraph. Begin with stating why you are writing so Dr.
Kozmova is interested in continuing to read the doc. Then
sessions detailing the conditions and procedures for data collection in the Clinical Research go into why you feel the need for this document and why
Center. However, I noticed that while I could recall the important aspects of the study protocol, I its needed this will better follow the though process
always had to consult you on the more technical details especially when a problem occurs with
the instruments. Here I am proposing to separate the data collection procedures from the main Commented [AG3]: Clear proposal good.
study protocol into its own document along with visuals of the key steps and hardware involved
for ease of comprehension. Not only will this manual help orient new research assistants to their
duties, it can be included in the briefing materials for potential study participants to demonstrate
and help acclimate them to the various tests conducted during their stay in the Clinical Research
Center.
Please let me know your thoughts about the proposal and any suggestions or edits you wish to Commented [AG4]: How/when should they contact you?
make to the training manual attached to this email. Email or phone?

Sincerely, Commented [AG5]: Sincerely yours?

Commented [AG6]: 4 spaces between salutation and

your name

Rammy Dang

Include (enc) or (attached) here Commented [AG7]:

 Research Assistant Training Manual

Table of Contents:
1. Conducting Sleep Research 1
2. Working in the Clinical Research Center .. 1
3. Data Collection Protocols
a. Procedure for measuring vitals .. 2
b. Procedure for recording electroencephalography (EEG) .. 3-4
c. Documentation of body fluids intakes/outputs .. 4
 1

Conducting Sleep Research

Before you begin your work as a research assistant in the Human Sleep and Inflammatory
Systems lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, it is important that you understand the
scope and importance of your responsibilities. The research being conducted in this lab examines
the relationship between sleep deprivation and physiological metrics by recruiting volunteer
participants who will be randomized into a control group with a normal sleep schedule, and a
sleep deprived group, who will have a limited sleep schedule. Because the experiment is
constantly running throughout all hours of the day, it is extremely important to have at least one
lab personnel present at all times in the Clinical Research Center, where the participants reside
during the course of the study. As a research assistant, you will be trained to collect data such as
vials, electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, and body fluid intake and outputs. These Commented [AG8]: vitals?
responsibilities include setting up the relevant instruments as well as troubleshooting common
problems encountered during the data collection process.

Working in the Clinical Research Center

The majority of your work as a research assistant will be performed in the Clinical
Research Center (CRC). The CRC is a hospital wing dedicated for clinical research conducted on
living human patients requiring the vigilance and support of hospital staff. This is a unique
environment in which research personnel such as research assistants and healthcare providers
must cooperate to ensure everything follows the institutions standards of care. You must always
be mindful of professional conduct when interacting with study participants, keeping in mind
that their rights as admitted patients take precedence over their voluntary participation in the
clinical study. Any deviation from the study protocol should be properly documented, but
participants can withdraw their consent to continue their participation at any point during the
study.
 2

Data Collection Protocols

Procedure for measuring vitals
1. Obtain a digital blood pressure monitor
device from the nursing staff, if one is
not in the room with the patient

2. Secure the cuff tightly around the left
arm of the patient, making sure that the
Velcro portions are aligned and adhere
to each other without leaving a space
between the cuff and the patients arm
Commented [AG9]: Is there any way to increase
continuity in the images you use? They alternate between
pictures with borders and then plain equipment. I think the
aesthetics can be improved.

3. Clamp the oxygen monitoring

apparatus to the forefinger of the left
arm

4. Record the heart rate, oxygen
saturation, systolic blood pressure, and
diastolic blood pressure in the research
computer situated outside the patient
room after each measurement.
Commented [AG10]: Well done using all verbs to start
instructions
Commented [AG11]: Add periods to finish the sentences?
 3

Procedure for recording electroencephalography (EEG) Commented [AG12]: Capitalize all titles?

1. After the patient has taken a shower,

attach the electrodes for EEG recording
to their head following the diagram Commented [AG13]: Maybe re-order this to follow
starting with a verb?

2. Plug the electrodes into the main unit

of the recording device, making sure
each electrode is plugged into its
proper input port (inputs on the main
unit follow labelling conventions of the
diagram)

3. Connect the main unit of the recording

device to the research computer located
outside of the patients room using the
USB cord

4. Launch the recording software Embla

Recording which can be found under
the directory
C:/Program Files/Embla Recording
 4

5. Test the integrity of the connections by asking the patient to perform calibration
tasks such as eye opening and closing. Below is an example of a clean recording.
Readjust electrodes and their connections to the main recording unit or the
research computer if clean waveforms cannot be obtained

Documenting Fluid Intake/Output

1. Record the amount of water the patient drinks every hour (each water bottle = 235
mL) in the research computer located outside the patients room
2. At the end of your shift, obtain a urine output log from the nursing staff for the
patient and record the values in this log in the research computer located outside
the patients room
a. This file can be found in the directory
C:/N191-xx where xx is the patients assigned research ID

Dear Rammy,
I found your document to be very informative, I definitely learned something new.
One overall suggestion would be finding ways to balance the paragraphs so there is the same
amount of space between them? I realize youve ordered it the way you have it to give
spacing for the pictures but the uneven length between paragraphs draws my attention more
than the text. Also, it seems like the text alternates between the active and passive voice. I
realize this is an instructional manual but I believe scientific writing is better in the passive
 5

voice. I wonder if you can maybe go into more detail on some of the topics or perhaps include
common issues faced? In your cover letter you said I always had to consult you on the more
technical details especially when a problem occurs with the instruments. Can you give
examples of some of these issues and then your advisors recommended course of action?
This might help commit to accuracy and be unambiguous.
I believe your assignment is well ordered and meets our learning goals for this unit. I
like the table of contents and believe it shows an expectation for the documents flow. You
execute this well and in a logical manner. I hope my suggestions help! Im looking forward to
seeing the final product.

My Regards,
Abigael