Transcript Show Me The Money: Looking for Funding Through Grant Writing
But I’m Not A Researcher!!!
Research 101 for the non-researcher
Jan Borgman, MSW, LISW-S, FT Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center 3333 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229 (513) 636-0069 [email protected]
Objectives:
Define a basic research proposal Discuss components of a research proposal Identify resources that can help support a research proposal
What Is Your Interest In This Presentation?
What do you want to learn?
What do you want to make sure we address during this presentation?
Overview:
I am not a professional researcher Lessons I’ve learned What worked Helpful hints Resources
CCHMC:
Large, teaching pediatric hospital located in an urban area in the Midwest Has a national as well as an international reputation Research is highly encouraged and valued
My Department:
Bereavement is housed in the Pastoral Care Department 16 Chaplains, 2 Bereavement Specialists Main programs: Chaplaincy Research designated FTE’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Research designated FTE’s Bereavement
Where To Begin:
Identify an idea Wanted to do a survey to find out what other pediatric hospitals were providing related to bereavement support Is there supporting documentation?
Do a literature search If there is documentation, does it support what you are seeking or do you want additional information?
For the information I was seeking, I could not find any information that demonstrated a standard practice or provided benchmarking criteria
Where To Begin:
Are you encouraged to gather information as part of a “research” project?
Members of my department who are involved in research as well as members of our End of Life Care Committee If there is no supporting documentation, you can add to the field of knowledge Do you have an interest in pursuing?
I am not a researcher!
I had no idea how to go about this as a research project Others encouraged me
Facts:
• Research doesn’t have to be rooted in hard science • Will it be helpful to others?
• Not everyone has to be a researcher
Support
If you decide to pursue a research project, does your agency or boss support you?
It will take time, a lot of time!!
If you are not a researcher, who is able to assist you in the process?
Support Cont.:
Is there a process or template in place regarding the submission of a research proposal? Are there requirements for training that need to be completed prior to submitting the proposal?
CITI Training (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative)
Getting Started
Follow the 5 “B-C’s:” • Be Clear • Be Concise • Be Consistent • Be Compelling • Be Correct
Format
Follow recommended format For the IRB (Institutional Review Board) For the submission of an article Does the journal require that the research be approved by an IRB?
Be brief Be as concise as you can but provide enough information to answer the question(s) Remember, the person reading the proposal may not be familiar with your area of interest Provide only information requested In the initial process, answer their questions. They may not be interested in the “whole story” but just the facts
Format
Don’t embellish This is research and to be valid, it must honest, fact driven, and reliable data Provide financial information If there is outside funding or financial support, you need to report it in the proposal as it might effect your reliability Proof-read Your proposal will be read by others who will scrutinize each aspect of your proposal Don’t “overkill” with information
Format
But,we don’t have an IRB If your organization doesn’t have an IRB, there are options: Contract with a local university, college or health care organization If you receive Federal Funding, does your organization have a FWA (Federalwide Assurance Number). If not, you will need to apply with the DHHS to receive designation Not all journals require IRB approved research for article submission. Prior to doing the research, “target search” journals to see what they require.
Submitting the Abstract and Article
Follow the format requested Don’t get discouraged, you will have many edits, revisions and re-writes Ask respected colleagues to read the article with a critical eye
Submitting the Article
Solicit honest feedback and don’t be offended Know the audience who will be reading the article Be aware of your own biases Would you read the article you are submitting?
Be in the Know
Know the interest of the journal in which you will submit your article Know the subject you are writing about Know your level of expertise on the matter Know who you can turn to for assistance and support
Know Who Can Help You
Who do you know within your professional circles who can guide and assist you?
Do you know someone who is willing to be an advisor or co-author?
Do you know someone who has successfully written articles?
Know Who Can Help You
Follow up with those who “rejected” your article and ask for their recommendations on how to improve your article Talk with other authors within your community or profession Don’t be afraid to ask for help, be open to suggestions
Summary
We all have knowledge to share You don’t have to be a “professional” researcher to do research There are colleagues who will help you, you don’t have to do it alone It will take time but if you are interested in the topic, it will be worth it You will grow from the experience