Research Objectives

Principles Regarding Scholarly Activity

In addition to participating in the core curriculum, all trainees will be expected to engage in projects in which they test relevant hypotheses or in projects of substantive scholarly exploration and analysis that require critical thinking.

Areas in which scholarly activity may be pursued include, but are not limited to:

  • Basic, clinical, or translational biomedicine
  • Health services
  • Quality improvement
  • Bioethics
  • Education
  • Public health policy of Perinatal relevance
  • Health informatics

In addition to biomedical research, examples of acceptable activities include:

  • Critical meta-analysis of the literature resulting in a publishable product
  • Systematic review of clinical practice resulting in a publishable product
  • Development of evidenced-based, or significant revision of, public or unit guidelines
  • Curriculum development, carried out in a scholarly manner, which includes an outcomes-based (assessment/evaluation/dissemination) component.

Involvement in scholarly activities must result in the generation of a specific written, “work product” of substance.

Examples of “work products” include:

  • A peer-reviewed publication in which the trainee played a substantial role
  • An in-depth manuscript describing a completed project
  • A thesis, dissertation (not course work) or research project prepared in connection with an advanced degree
  • A grant application that has either been accepted or favorably reviewed
  • A detailed progress report for projects such as an ongoing clinical trial or a laboratory study where the trainee’s significant role and contribution are outlined and clearly documented
  • An educational intervention with an evaluation, assessment and outcome report.

Proposals for scholarly projects should be initiated after approval by research subcommittee. Fellow or the faculty will fill the application form for any new project and to be submitted and approved by research subcommittee. Successful completion will be determined by the Research Sub Committee in order to ensure that projects are equitable regarding standard.

First year trainees will be expected to present a short report (ten minutes) of their proposed scholarly activity at a Research in Progress Meeting scheduled every third week of their rotation blocks. Their supervisor should attend this presentation.