PREP Workshop 2 How to Pick a Research

PREP Workshop #2: How to Pick a Research Project and Mentor Presented by: Jesse Roth

CME Disclosure Statement • The North Shore LIJ Health System adheres to the ACCME’s new Standards for Commercial Support. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, and managers, are required to disclose all financial relationships with commercial interests. All identified potential conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by the North Shore-LIJ for fair balance and scientific objectivity and to ensure appropriateness of patient care recommendations. • Course Director and Course Planners, Kevin Tracey, MD, Cynthia Hahn, Emmelyn Kim, MPH, Tina Chuck, MPH have nothing to disclose. • Jesse Roth has nothing to disclose

1. Getting Started— what are the first three steps you will take to get your research started?

2. Starting research now— what would be the ideal outcome two years from now?

3. In seeking a research mentor, what traits will you rank highest?

4. When will you (should you) plan to start your research?

5. When should you (will you) start writing your first paper?

6. When picking a project– will you look for (a) something new and original -or- (b) something close to other ongoing projects?

7. How often will you meet with your research mentor? What elements are important to consider for each meeting?

8. When and how will you obtain “buy-in” for your research project from the chairman and other leaders in your department?

9. If you start a second project, should it be close to –or- distant from your first project?

10. Starting research now, what would you consider an ideal outcome ten years from now?

Three Excellent Tips for Young Investigators 1. Beware of your own research ideas 2. Beware of brand new research projects 3. Look for abandoned, nearly complete projects in excellent research groups

1. Getting Started— what are the first three steps you will take to get your research started?

Suggested Answers, Question #1 • Pick a few broad areas that interest you — • Find individual researchers in these areas who publish regularly — • Decide whether any of their recent papers interest you— • Contact young investigators on those papers to learn what working in that group is like— • Contact the investigator.

2. Starting research now— what would be the ideal outcome two years from now?

Suggested Answers, Question #2 • One paper published in a reputable journal with you as first author— • Additional published papers with you as coauthor.

3. In seeking a research mentor, what traits will you rank highest?

3. In seeking a research mentor, what traits will you rank highest?

Suggested Answers, Question #3 • Publishes regularly— • Accessibility— • Satisfied veterans of that lab tell you why it was an exemplary experience— • Feel reassured that the investigator will likely be supportive to ensure your success (not “sink or swim”).

4. When will you (should you) plan to start your research?

Suggested Answers, Question #4 • Now— you will need every bit of time possible.

5. When should you (will you) start writing your first paper?

Suggested Answers, Question #5 • Now— you can write an introduction. • The outline of your paper will be nearly the same as your research plan. • The outline of your paper can be modified as needed. • Reference list for paper is reading list for starting research. • An excellent outline of your paper will ensure sensible prioritization of effort.

6. When picking a project– will you look for (a) something new and original -or- (b) something close to other ongoing projects?

Suggested Answers, Question #6 • Research projects close to the center of the lab’s other projects will (a) speed your research (methods and literature very accessible) (b) lead to co-authorships on other papers. • New original projects are very enticing but risky, typically require high front-end investment, and often remain incomplete.

7. How often will you meet with your research mentor? What elements are important to consider for each meeting?

Suggested Answers, Question #7 • Turn off all communication devices or leave your communication device with someone else. • Meet often – Prepare well- Cancel when not prepared. • Start meeting by confirming time of meeting’s end. • Get up to leave three minutes early. • If actual meeting is going to be shorter than originally planned, readjust and trim agenda. • Start meeting with (a) agenda and (b) feedback of previous meeting.

8. When and how will you obtain “buy-in” for your research project from the chairman and other leaders in your department?

Suggested Answers, Question #8 • As you start looking for research mentors, keep people apprised by email and with brief meetings as needed.

9. If you start a second project, should it be close to –or- distant from your first project?

Suggested Answers, Question #9 • As close as possible.

10. Starting research now, what would you consider an ideal outcome ten years from now?

Suggested Answers, Question #10 • You have a coherent corpus of published papers (original research papers; review articles; commentaries), grand rounds, invitations to lectures, meetings, seats on committees on one single topic of value.

Thank you -&- Good luck