Residency Research Program

PURPOSE: The overall goal of the Resident Research Program is to provide each resident with the opportunity to expand his or her current knowledge of research design and analysis and the scientific method. To achieve those goals, each resident will plan and execute a research project. The research experience can then be extended to the clinical arena where each resident will be able to evaluate the literature critically and to apply new findings to his/her medical practice.

ADMINISTRATION: The Program is administered by Ann M. Thompson, Ph.D.

SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES: Each resident designs, completes, and presents a research project. Each resident will also prepare a grant proposal application. Each resident is given a block of time during PGY4 when data will be collected and analyzed. In PGY5, the resident is expected to present the results of the research at a scientific meeting and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The Program is organized in three levels, which are described in detail below:

Level I - Preparation of the Research Proposal
Level II - Collection and Analysis of Data
Level III - Presentation of Results

Level I - Preparation of the Research Proposal:

The resident participates in Level 1 during a month long research rotation at the end of PGY2 (May or June). During this time, the resident participates in a series of four workshops to aid in selection of a research topic, and to introduce the basics of research design, methods, statistics, and grant applications. The workshops are designed to prepare the resident for the collecting data and for completing the research proposal. In addition, in Level I, the resident selects a faculty member who agrees to serve as a research mentor for that resident. Once the research proposal satisfies the mentor(s) and the program administrator, the resident presents it to the entire faculty for their approval (the faculty is encouraged to critique the grant proposal and provide feedback to the resident, which should be considered during revision). Additionally, the core instructional areas of the Public Health Service policy regarding the conduct of science are discussed with each resident throughout Level I.

Before proceeding to Level II, the resident will have selected a research topic, designed a research project, submitted a research proposal approved by the faculty, and selected a research mentor. Preparations for the laboratory work in Level II such as purchasing needed equipment and supplies and collection of pilot data, should be done after faculty approval and before the research block starts. This will ensure that the research block time in PGY4 will be used effectively to collect and analyze data.

Level II - Collection and Analysis of Data:

Under the guidance of the research mentor, the resident completes the research project during PGY4 when he/she will be given a 4-month block of research time. The resident is expected to complete data collection and analysis during the block. Further instructions in statistics will be given if needed.

Level III - Presentation of Results:

Each resident is required to present the results of his/her research project to the faculty during PGY5. By the end of the residency (usually during PGY5), the resident is required to present the research at the campus-wide Resident Research Forum (May) and at a national meeting, as well as submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.

MENTORING: Each resident selects a research mentor whose role is to aid the resident with all aspects of the project, from initiation to presentation. During data collection and presentation in PGY4 and 5 (Levels II and III), the research mentor is responsible for evaluating the progress of the resident. A mentor may be any permanent faculty member of the department who has suitable research experience and an interest in the particular resident's project. Collaboration with other investigators who are qualified and able to provide assistance with the project, both on and off campus, is encouraged. Before the resident reaches Level II, the program administrator is responsible for ensuring that satisfactory progress is made by each resident.

REQUIREMENTS:

Successful completion of the Program depends on:

  1. Participation in and satisfactory completion of each workshop (I-IV)
  2. Selection of a research mentor
  3. Presentation and submission of a research proposal to be approved by the faculty
  4. Completion of the research project to data collection and analysis
  5. Presentation of research results to faculty
  6. Presentation of the research project at Resident's Day (May) and at a national meeting
  7. Submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal

Each resident may also be requested to complete self-assessments, as well as to evaluate the Program at various times. Furthermore, it is expected that each resident complete assignments in a timely manner, meeting the deadlines of each. As successful completion of any portion of the Program necessitates the successful completion of previous requirements, a resident will not proceed with the Program until all requirements of a particular assignment are fulfilled satisfactorily.

WORKSHOP TOPICS: The objectives of Level I (Preparation of Research Proposal) are accomplished through participation in four workshops given during the research rotation in PGY2. The workshop topics include experimental design and methods (Workshops I and II), statistics (Workshop III), and grant proposal writing (Workshop IV). Each of Workshops I, II, and IV consists of a short presentation by the program administrator to the resident. During the presentation, the director describes the purpose and assignments of that particular workshop. Each resident is then given a packet of material to read and of assignments to be completed by a date specified. The completed assignments will be handed-in to the administrator. For the statistics workshop (III), the resident will meet with the selected faculty member for a didactic, one-on-one session. The session may be extended to another time/date if needed to discuss the appropriate statistical methods to incorporate into the proposal.

The assignments that the resident submits for workshops I, II, and IV will be reviewed by the program administrator who will submit written critiques of the assignments. The resident is then required to modify the assignment, incorporating the suggestions. A workshop will be successfully completed only after the revised assignments are submitted to the director. Successful completion of the statistic workshop (III) will be assessed by the presenting faculty member.

After successfully completing Workshops I-III, the resident will prepare a research proposal application for Workshop IV. The format of the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Surgery application for resident research grants will be used. The forms will be provided by the administrator. All residents are required to submit the application to the Academy for peer-review and possible funding. Residents may apply to a different funding agency if that is more appropriate. Before the resident sends his/her application, it is expected that it be presented to the faculty so that critical comments can be incorporated before it is sent off. The resident will advance to Level II after the proposal is approved by the faculty.

The goal of each workshop is described below.

Workshop I: Orientation & Experimental Design and Methods I

  • To explain the objectives and requirements of the Program;
  • To expose the resident to research opportunities at the Health Sciences Center (faculty research interests);
  • To aid the resident in stating testable hypotheses and objectives;
  • To aid the resident in doing a literature search and completing a thorough background statement.

Workshop II: Experimental Design and Methods II

  • To aid the resident in designing experiments to test hypotheses;
  • Includes discussions of what type of data to collect, how many subjects will be needed, an introduction to the methods of statistical analysis.

Workshop III: Statistics

  • To introduce basic methods of statistical analyses;
  • To finalize the research design and statistical analyses of the proposal

Workshop IV: Grant Proposal Writing and Preparation

  • To expose the resident to the various components of a formal grant application;
  • To aid the resident in preparing a grant application;
  • Includes budget justification, resources and facilities statement, institutional animal care and use approvals (IACUC), Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, indirect costs, grant routing.

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

The research proposal will consist of at least the following components:

  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Specific Aims
  • Background and Significance
  • Preliminary Studies
  • Research Design and Methods
  • Literature Cited
  • Budget and Budget Justification
  • Resources and Environment
  • IRB or Animal Use Approvals
  • Letters of Support

Timetable: