Form Approved
OMB Number 0925-0648
Expiration Date 1/31/2015
Moderator Guide
Medical/Dental/Veterinary Students with Research Interest
We’re exploring how students like you--those who may be considering a career in research--think about their career decisions. The aggregate findings will be used to inform the deliberations of the Physician Scientist Workforce Committee at the National Institutes of Health about how to improve and support a sustainable and diverse physician-scientist workforce.
This focus group will last about 1½ hours.
A few ground rules for today’s discussion:
Please just use your first name in your introduction and discussion.
We want you to do the talking and we would like everyone to participate. I may call on you if I haven't heard from you in a while.
There are no right or wrong answers. Every person’s experiences and opinions are important. Please speak up whether you agree or disagree with what’s being said.
What is said in this conversation is private to the extent allowed by law. That is, no one person’s contributions in the focus group will be identified to the Committee, and we will not provide any information from the focus group to your school. Instead, the Committee will be provided with aggregated information to help them in their deliberations. We want you to feel comfortable sharing when sensitive issues come up.
We will be tape recording the group because we want to capture everything you have to say. You will not be identified by name in the report so all comments will be anonymous. The tape recordings and transcripts will be stored in a locked file cabinet until June 30, 2014 and then they will be destroyed. If anyone objects to being taped, now is the time to remove yourself from the group.
Any questions before we get started?
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 90 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892-7974, ATTN: PRA (0925-0648). Do not return the completed form to this address.
Then let’s begin. First, let’s go around and briefly introduce ourselves. Can you share with us four pieces of information?:
Your first name
Your current family situation: single, married or in a committed relationship, parent (how many children and their ages)?
Your primary reason for attending medical/dental/veterinary school.
Your primary area of research interest (if you know)
Past Influences
What were the most important factors that made you think about pursuing a career in research? (PROBE FOR: Exposure to research – family member/friend in research, Mentor, Internship/summer fellowship program, college major; college vs. university setting)
Approximately when in your academic career did you make the decision that research might be a good career choice for you? (PROBE FOR: approximate time if they tie the decision to an event.)
Have you ever had a mentor/role model in research? If so, who? How did you find your mentor?
Current Considerations
What appeals to you about a research career? What concerns you? (PROBE FOR: How important is length of preparation, cost, potential income, lifestyle?)
When you observe physician-scientists around you at school or in the workplace, what do you admire about them? What turns you off? (PROBE: How much would you like your career to emulate theirs? What, if anything, would you choose to do differently?)
What opportunities really interest you right now? Why?
What would make it easier for you to pursue a research career?
Are you currently involved in basic science research? If so, how did you get involved? How much exposure do you have to research as part of your current schooling (coursework, etc.)?
FOR NON-PHD CANDIDATES ONLY: Would you consider an additional advanced degree (in science)? Why or why not?
Future
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20 years?
What factors do you see most influencing your career track? (PROBE FOR: length of preparation, cost, debt repayment, potential income, lifestyle)
Thank you very much!
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | owner |
| Last Modified By | Perryman |
| File Modified | 2013-12-04 |
| File Created | 2013-12-02 |