Research Methods Forum
The Research Methods Forum provides an interactive setting for investigators to present new and developing research ideas to multidisciplinary experts in clinical research methods and potential collaborators, who will provide recommendations. Written feedback is provided after the conclusion of the forum. With sufficient notice, experts are also available to investigators who presented at the forum to review their written grant proposal before submission.
Interested investigators are able to present their research proposals at various stages, for example at an early stage of project development, and again when the research design is more advanced and the collaborative team is more established.
New/early-stage investigators who plan to apply for a UR CTSI Pilot or KL2 award are especially encouraged to participate in the forum or a similar peer review process prior to applying. Such faculty will particularly benefit from this forum, including acceleration of their integration into the URMC research enterprise; obtaining early comprehensive feedback on their proposed research plans; and, ultimately, advancing toward an independent research career.
Funding Pathways for Junior Investigators
Forum Schedule
The forum is held virtually every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Ad hoc forums can be scheduled to accommodate investigator availability. Investigators who are interested in presenting at the forum should contact Alaina Maiorano at alaina_maiorano1@urmc.rochester.edu to schedule a session.
Academic Career Mentoring Consultation
This service provides a supportive infrastructure for both new and seasoned mentors and their protégés to improve the mentoring relationship and ultimately increase the number of investigators who obtain mentored research career awards.
We offer a series of educational workshops designed to foster better mentoring skills by addressing common challenges such as giving feedback, diversity and cross-disciplinary mentoring. In addition, we offer an online mentor course with readings and vignettes that address specific situations. Mentors post their responses to these vignettes and can attend a workshop to discuss their responses. Get a free individual consultation with a member of the mentor development committee by submitting a request to the UR CTSI Research Request Dashboard.
Consultations may address the following:
- Finding a mentor: Meet with a member of our mentor development committee for advice on where to find a mentor and how to build a mentor team.
- K-Award applications: Early-stage faculty applying for mentored research career awards (K01, K08 or K23) can receive feedback on their mentoring plan, supporting letters, career goals and institutional environment with respect to career development activities. Proposal draft and any reviews should be submitted along with current NIH-style CV from both protégé and mentor. Mid-career faculty applying for K24 or other training grants can also apply for similar feedback after submission of a draft of their grant application and CV.
Additional Research Methods Resources
Find a host of learning modules, developed and curated by the UR CTSI, on the UR CTSI Research Education Hub on Black Board. These modules provide professionals and trainees across the translational research spectrum with an overview of the key considerations in the design and conduct of clinical and population health studies. Faculty who are preparing to present at the Research Methods Forum are encouraged to review these resources as relevant to their particular project so that they can effectively discuss their goals, methods, issues and limitations regarding study design, recruitment, funding, and beyond.
The NIH Clinical Center's Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) course trains registrants on how to effectively and safely conduct clinical research. The course focuses on the spectrum of clinical research and the research process by highlighting biostatistical and epidemiologic methods, study design, protocol preparation, patient monitoring, quality assurance, ethical and legal issues, and much more. Visit this YouTube page to see recordings of past courses. Register for the current course.