[How to start a research project].

One of the goals of undergraduate education should be the acquisition of a scientific attitude, determined by affective dimensions, and whose traits or characteristics should include: curiosity, objectivity, open-mindedness, flexibility, critical thinking, intellectual honesty, investigative energy, creative daring and social participation. In short, the ‘‘university essence’’: creating and transmitting knowledge and attitudes. Understanding the professional life of a doctor as a ‘‘continuous training’’, both during specialised studies and during the rest of a professional career, that university essence will be obtained through the scientific method. This method should represent the basis of the entire profession, not only of research activity, but of all clinical activities. It is important to note that knowledge must be framed within a theoretical field and a practical field in which theory will be a tool to be used and as an interpretation field. There are two principles to be kept in mind in the field of science: the first is uncertainty and the second is controversy.