HOW TO DO RESEARCH

Meredith Mason Garcia, Ph.D.
Room 2044
X85769
mgarcia@tulane.edu

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The idea

• Is it doable?

• Is it novel?

  • PubMed
  • Meeting abstracts

• Is it suitable for a 4-month project?

  • $$
  • Techniques
  • Data analysis

     

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What if you don't have an idea?

• Collaboration on an idea

• Collaboration on an ongoing project

• Continuation of an ongoing project

• Talk to your faculty advisor!

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The Plan: 1 year in advance

• Development of the idea

• Informal talks with faculty

• Think about extramural funding and start applying - remember that many funding mechanisms have only one submission date per year, and that the grant review cycle will be at least 6 months long.

   

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The Plan: 6 months in advance

• Prepare a rough draft of your proposed project, including a budget.

• Meet with Dr. Garcia, Dr. Amedee, or your advisor to review your proposal and discuss possible revisions.

• Continue to pursue extradepartmental funding.

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The Plan: 3 months in advance

• Prepare final draft of proposal and submit for departmental approval, including the budget.

• Get approval for human subjects from the Institutional Review Board [IRB] or for animal use from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee [IACUC].

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The Mechanics

• IRB approval:
  http://www.som.tulane.edu/irb/

• IACUC approval:
  http://www.som.tulane.edu/iacuc/

• The Routing Sheet:
  http://www.tmc.tulane.edu/researchadmin/ forms/TUHSCROUTING3.31.04.pdf

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The Mechanics, continued

• The budget: be realistic and accurate.

• Animal costs and per diem rates can be obtained from the vendor [e.g. Charles River for rodents] or the Vivarium [988-5211].

• Most vendors have on-line catalogs to help you get prices for other materials and supplies.

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The Bottom Line

• Start early.

• Ask questions.

• Take advice.