FAQ

• When will the mandatory orientation/kickoff be?

  It is estimated that the Medical Student Research Orientation will be held after the conclusion of the Medical School Year in early May. Those individuals funded by the various scholarships will be notified of the sessions time and date, this is mandatory of all scholarship recipients and their mentors.  See MDSR calendar of events for more information.

• How do I know if I need IRB or IACUC approval?

  Your mentor and their lab will determine if your project necessitates an IRB or IACUC approval. This determination should have been made at the application process.  If your project has changed from the original proposed and funded application and you now need IRB or IACUC approval, your mentor, lab coordinator or research assistant should submit the protocol to the appropriate approval body. You are responsible for all online or in-laboratory training to keep compliant with any proposed amendments or protocols.

  Resource: Human Subjects Research at OSU (PDF)

   

• Where do I send my IRB/IACUC approved protocol?

  If you did not submit it along with your COM Research Scholarship application or have new documentation to submit please submit them here. Failure to secure a necessary IRB or IACUC protocol can result in funding problems.

• My project has been denied by the IRB, now what?

  Please contact the program manager at research.education@osumc.edu as soon as possible. IRB approval is an essential tool for students to be successful in their projects and to be able to work towards completion. There are options besides returning your scholarship money, and the Office of Medical Student Research can help as best as possible.

• My project has changed from my original proposal/I need an extension on submitting my final report?

  Occasionally in research, timelines and methods need to be adjusted for a variety of reasons. The Medical Student Research Office understands how fluid research can be and wants to be made aware of changes from your original application protocol.
  
  If you or your mentor realize you will need an extension from your original end date, change your methods, specific aims, duties or hypotheses on your project, please complete and submit the extension/change in project request to the Office of Medical Student Research as soon as possible.

  Projects are sometimes permitted to continue into the next academic year. However, your time in the lab will be limited significantly due to your increased course load. This request should be submitted either by or in conjunction with your mentor so he or she has approved the proposed changes.  Submit an Extension/Change in Project form. 
  
  Should you or your mentor have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Medical Student Research at research.education@osumc.edu.

• Final Report Questions

  When is my final report due?

  All final reports for short term projects are due about 2 weeks after you begin Med2. Final reports for 1 year research experiences are due in July.  *See Orientation handouts and current scholars tab for exact dates.
  
  What is the format?

  Visit the Current Scholars page for more information regarding final report formatting.
  
  How long does the report need to be?

  The length of the final report should be dictated first by your research and second by your mentor. The final report should be however long it needs to be in order to succinctly, clearly, and intelligently describe the background, topic area, methods, discussion and conclusions.  It should also include any presentation or publication outcomes from your work.
  
  Who do I turn in my report to?

  Final reports are submitted electronically via the Current Scholars page.
  
  I have submitted an extension request, how do I submit an interim report?

  Interim reports are submitted electronically via the Current Scholars page.
  
  Do you have sample final reports?

  Final reports are specific to research proposals and experiments conducted by the students and their mentors. The Office of Medical Student Research does not have sample final reports made available to students.