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

Questions & Discussion