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

2. Presenters Kelly M. Everard, PhD 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
Make sure your name and affiliation are correct.

3. Disclosures
The presenters have no financial interests to report.

4. 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

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

6. The Research Process
20 minutes

7. 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

8. 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?”)
“What do I need to do to get a publication?”
I need a slam dunk.
I’ve been collecting data for years.
Diagramming sentence.

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

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

11. Getting Started Choose something you are passionate about
Write down ideas from:
Teaching
Your clinical practice
Conferences
Reading
Conduct a literature review
Has this been done before?
Talk to others about the topic
Consider including learners and practice partners in these steps
I will talk about how finding research questions is not easy. MDs usually don’t think in those terms, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have good ideas.

12. The FINER model Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant
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
Pass out worksheets

13. Demonstration: How to Develop a Research Question
do a 15 minute session with an audience member who has a semi formed research question
Or you could coach me through a thought process for a real study I am doing. I can have one prepared.
15 minutes

14. 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
Add to finer worksheet

15. Breakout Groups 60 Minutes
Divide participants into 4 groups so we each have one to work with.
How best to handle this? I’m thinking whoever gets research questions written down first gets to start. We can divide time between number of participants who want help with their questions. David, this is how I handled my MSEDI group. Some may just want to observe. I imagine they will be at different stages of readiness.

16. 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, Template for research reports.

17. Conclusions/Q and A

18. References
Cook, D.A. (2010). Getting started in medical education scholarship. Keio Journal of Medicine, 59,
Hulley, S.B., Cummings, S.R., Browner, W.S., Grady, D., Hearst, N., Newman, T.B. (2001). Designing clinical research: An epidemiologic ap­proach. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.
Misra, S., McElroy, J.A., & Hosokawa, M.C. (2013). Lessons from a successful collaboration between a researcher and a clinician. Family Medicine, 45,
Morrison, J. (2002). Developing research questions in medical education: the science and the art. Medical Education, 36, 596–597.
Dobbie and Freeman, Template for research reports.