How can I help?

Follow these numbered directions/examples.

Please be sure to keep track of your sources. Every statement that is added to this wiki should be backed up by data. (We want to find out what we know based on existing knowledge, so that we can identify deficits).

So, conceptually this is how it would work.

1. You will read an article - we are working on How to Examine Literature.

2. You will summarize the findings for yourself and either email to us or if you know how to work wiki, edit it yourself with citation.

3. Email or your own editing should include the following.

- Full Citation with author, journal name, title, date of publication,

- Your evaluation of the data (what was the strenth of data etc.)

- Where this information would go: for example: Disease CAD, subcategory: treatement or Disease: hypercholestrolemia, subcategory: Genetics

4. Either you or one of our Wikiexperts will input the data in the following manner.

4a. If a disease category does not exist, create a disease category under DiseaseList. If an appropriate subcategory does not exist, you will create a subcategory. To assure proper indexing, if you create a new disease, please also create a link from Alphabetical Index.

4b. You will put the citation in Bibliography.

4c. After you input your evaluation/input please create a link to the bibliography (so someone else can also find out how you arrived at your conclusions).

What is the big picture?

The big picture is to create an evidence based database of information on South Asian population. This will help us understand what questions need answers, and we can plan better as to how to approach the problem.

Once we have compiled all the information, we can have our experts review the literature, and create an evidence based database of information that we can all use.

How does this help me?

We hope that by being involved in this effort:

- you will learn (how to review literature, how to design studies etc.).

- You will get to work with some of the world's foremost experts in their respective field.

- Since not much is known for most of the diseases, you have an opportunity to become a subject matter expert and create your own research projects as well. Our hope is that once the organization is in firm footing, SAHRI will try to help you with research design, grant writing, and securing funding etc.

With the wiki technology (to our best estimation), there is no way to personally identify who made what change. All the information is editable by anyone. For credit, publications etc. you will need to work with our Subject Matter Experts.

Biren