Developing a research question Steps for research success

Developing a research question: Steps for research success from the idea to publication Kelly M. Everard, Ph. D Fred Rottnek, MD, MAHCM David Anthony, MD Tammy Chang, MD

Presenters Kelly M. Everard, Ph. D Fred Rottnek, MD, MAHCM Saint Louis University School of Medicine David Anthony, MD Brown Alpert Medical School Tammy Chang, MD University of Michigan Medical School

Disclosures The presenters have no financial interests to report.

Learning Objectives Develop an idea for a scholarly project from educational or clinical experience Write a research question that meets the FINER model criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) Define the terms used in the research question and determine how they will be measured Be ready to start your project

Schedule The research process and FINER model: 20 minutes Demonstrate how to develop research question: 15 minutes Breakout groups: 60 minutes Conclusion/Q&A: 10 15 minutes

The Research Process 20 minutes

Why is This Important? Typically physician faculty have not received much training in research methods YET, they are expected to engage in research at some level The process, not just the outcome, is important for filling a knowledge gap and getting publications

The Research Question Is a clear, focused, and relevant question from which a research project is developed and implemented Provides a path through the research and writing process A drawer full of surveys does not a research question make. Must explicitate terms (“What do you mean by that? ”)

Pitfalls of Getting Started Lack of research training “It’s Starting too big and scary” with too broad a question “There’s Waiting “I Lack no way I can get this study done” for the perfect study don’t have the money to do the study I want” of time “I just can’t think about a research question right now. I’ll wait until my schedule frees up. ”

The Good and the Bad News It takes work It is doable

Getting Started Choose something you are passionate about Write down ideas from: Teaching Your clinical practice Conferences Reading Conduct Has Talk a literature review this been done before? to others about the topic Consider including learners and practice partners in these steps

The FINER model Feasible Is the question answerable, do you have access to patients/data/students? Do you have resources? Interesting To yourself and others? Novel Has the study been done before? Ethical Can the study can be done without excessive risk to human subjects? Relevant

Demonstration: How to Develop a Research Question 15 minutes

Breakout Groups Determine what you want to know Write research question down Define terms Apply FINER You might be asked: Why is this important? What do you mean by that? Can you measure that? How do you want to measure that? Accountability Roster

Breakout Groups 60 Minutes

Next steps Do you have a shovel ready research question? If not, what do you still need to refine? If so, what is your next step? Use this conference time (and travel time) to identify the next steps Dobbie and Freeman, 2005. Template for research reports.

Conclusions/Q and A

References Cook, D. A. (2010). Getting started in medical education scholarship. Keio Journal of Medicine, 59, 96 103. Hulley, S. B. , Cummings, S. R. , Browner, W. S. , Grady, D. , Hearst, N. , Newman, T. B. (2001). Designing clinical research: An epidemiologic ap proach. 2 nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001. Misra, S. , Mc. Elroy, J. A. , & Hosokawa, M. C. (2013). Lessons from a successful collaboration between a researcher and a clinician. Family Medicine, 45, 357 358. Morrison, J. (2002). Developing research questions in medical education: the science and the art. Medical Education, 36, 596– 597. Dobbie and Freeman, 2005. Template for research reports. http: //www. fmdrl. org/index. cfm? event=c. begin. Browse. D&clear. Selectio ns=1&criteria=Alison%20 Dobbie#1069