Preparing for Resident research day

Documentation and Deadlines Abstract and manuscript due on May 13, 2019. Agenda, abstract book, and manuscripts sent to adjudicators on May 17, 2019. PowerPoint Presentation due on May 27, 2019.

Abstract and Manuscript components Introduction/Background Research Question(s) Methodology Findings/Results Discussion Conclusions Recommendations/Acknowledgements References

Abstract Use template attached to the memo. Do not modify the template. Maximum of 300-350 words. Do not include in-text citations.

Introduction/background Briefly introduce your research topic. Include a concise review of the literature. Reference current Canadian literature and statistics where possible. Highlight the gap(s) in the literature that your question(s) emerged from. Funnel down to your research question(s).

Research question(s) State your research question as a question. Does regular exercise (>30 minutes of cardio, 3-4 times/week) result in lowered blood pressure for patients with hypertension? Avoid using vague language, such as ‘aim’ or ‘objective’. The aim of this research project is to… Rule of thumb: you can answer a question, but you cannot answer an aim or an objective.

Methodology Identify the type of research design you used for your project. Chart review, case study, meta-analysis, etc. Describe your research setting. Describe your participants. Sample size, sampling strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria. Identify and describe the tool(s) you used to collect your data, if any.

Methodology Describe your data collection process. Outline the methods you used to analyze your data. Analytical software, statistical tests, coding techniques, theme saturation. Suggestions for reporting on quantitative methodology? State whether you received ethics approval and operational approval, if applicable.

Findings/Results Avoid speculating about why the findings/results may be the way they are. That is what the Discussion section is for. Suggestions for reporting quantitative research? Findings/results stated in graph- or table-form should not be repeated within the text of the manuscript. If reporting qualitative research, be sure to clearly state your themes and give adequate consideration to each one. Include quotes from data, as necessary, to support your statements. Avoid using a large number of long quotes.

Discussion Situate your findings/results within the literature. Make links between what you found and what has or has not been found in other research. Reasonable speculation about why your findings/results may be the way they are. Consider your research setting and participants. Utility and transferability of your findings/results to other settings and populations. Salient limitations can be included in this section.

Conclusions The conclusion answers your research question(s) using your reported findings/results. Straight line from research question through findings/results to conclusion. Future directions for research can be included in this section.

Recommendations/Acknowledgements Recommendations need to be supported by the findings/results. Acknowledge any funding received to complete your research. Acknowledge any outside support. The Social Sciences Research Laboratories at the UofS or the Research and Performance Support Unit in the RQHR.

References References to be formatted in NLM. The NLM handbook, Citing Medicine, is available for free download from PubMed. Citations should be ordered sequentially (ie. 1, 2, 3) within the manuscript and references list, instead of alphabetically. Number of in-text citations is consistent with language used in manuscript. Many studies show that… | A significant body of research has emerged… → 5+ citations. Few studies indicate that… → 2-3 citations.

Evaluation Criteria Abstract Manuscript Presentation and Communication Introduction Critique of the Literature Research Question(s) Methodology Results/Discussion/Conclusions Ethics Approval Presentation and Communication Originality Benefit(s) to Family Medicine/Primary Healthcare

Tips for Success Use terms consistently. Define your terms. Primary care physician, family physician, general practitioner → family physician Define your terms. Introduce acronyms and, once introduced, use them consistently. The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) establishes standards for… Formatting is just as important as writing. If working in a group, have one group member edit the finished manuscript for cohesiveness.

Tips for success Start now! Create a plan with your group and identify who will complete what by when between now and May. If you are still doing data collection, be sure to factor in enough time for analysis and summarizing results. Focus on preparing your manuscript first. Your PowerPoint presentation should reflect the information in your manuscript. Consult journal articles similar in topic and/or design to your project for examples of how to write up results, compare your findings/results. Consult your supervisor or research supports for assistance.

Questions?