MDSR AC Research Project Application - All

Greetings!  Please read the description below before beginning your application.  *Please note a meeting with the MDSR program manager or Program Director must happen prior to any applications being approved. 

Advanced Competency (AC) in Research Description:  The student will develop advanced competency in research by engaging in a specific hypothesis-driven research project under the direct supervision of a current or prior OSU faculty research mentor. The student is expected to have already developed foundational research skills while working on a summer or Med I/II part-time research project under the supervision of his/her research mentor. The student and faculty mentor should discuss and identify at least 2 learning objectives (see example below) to be acquired during the AC in research over the period.

AC in research Pre-Approval Forms are due late March, early April, check MDSR website.
Pre-Approval includes:

• AC in research general information
• Basic information about project title, mentor name and department, mentor/mentee acknowledgement of research commitments
• Submitted online: Nature of the relationship of continuing research project to previous research project and AC learning objectives, research proposal with significance, hypothesis, specific aims, innovation, research design, brief methods and signature form.

The student will receive instruction and guidance in specific learning objectives which may include competencies in study design, research methods, statistical analysis, research inquiry and critical literature review (see AC in research evaluation rubric). The student is expected to commit a minimum of 150 hours for 1 credit or 250 hours for 2 credits between May and Feb if their 4th year. 

1. Orientation and Course Preparatory Materials: Students will meet with their research mentor (and research staff if applicable) and course coordinator to identify the biomedical research topic, curricular expectations based on prior research relevant to the project and the amount of time dedicated to the research project in the AC, documentation of research compliance, project timeline, and signed mentor/mentee agreement.
2. Weekly schedule (at least “a” and 2 other activities below):

• a) One on one meeting with research advisor
• b) Attendance at research advisor weekly lab meeting 
• c) Attendance at a multi-lab meeting if relevant (once a month)
• d) Attendance of a journal club (once a month)
• e) Attendance at a multi- or inter-disciplinary clinical or research conference relevant to the biomedical research topic

3. Monitoring of student progress will occur through a written monthly progress report and a final report by the student to be sent to the research mentor and MDSR program staff. The student will also submit a logging of journal articles or other resources read or used during the AC as well as a list (and dates) of the laboratory meetings, conferences, journal clubs etc. attended during the AC.

Evaluation Description:
Evaluation: The student will be graded on his/her initiative, knowledge and critical thinking, and effectiveness in a research setting. The student will also be required to submit a 1-3 page report on the research project and summary of research accomplishments 1 week prior the end of the rotation.

Assessment & Feedback:

1. Assessment: Assessment of performance in the advanced competency in research will be performed by the student’s research advisor by
A) completion of an evaluation form (see AC rubric modeled after the nationally established CTSA core competencies (attached) which will be used to assess performance on pre-identified learning objectives in addition to
B) a summary narrative (1-2 paragraphs) prepared by the research advisor to describe and evaluate the quality of the student’s performance during the AC in Research.

2. Feedback: The student receives weekly feedback from the research advisor

Prerequisites:
A. Meeting with MDSR program manager prior to application submission.
B. Agreement of an OSU faculty research mentor to organize and supervise student research training and evaluate student performance in the AC in research for the specified time period and
C. Submission of Student Preparatory Materials via the online submission process by deadline listed on the MDSR website.
D. Approval of the AC in research Preparatory Materials by the MDSR Program Director (Dr. Ben Kaffenberger) is required for the AC in Research.