5 Screenshots of Postdoctoral Scientist Entrance Survey

Attachment 7: Screenshots of Postdoctoral Scientist Entrance Survey

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing

OMB # 0925­0046     Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 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 20892­7974, ATTN: 
PRA (0925­0046*). Do not return the completed form to this address. 

Page 1

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
Introduction

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the pilot testing for the surveys for BEST trainees. Please note that this pilot testing will only be used to 
improve the instructions and wording of the survey questions. 

*Please record the start time when you begin, so we can approximate the time it takes to

complete the survey.
HH
Start Time

MM
:

AM/PM

6

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 1. PARTICIPATION IN CAREER INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*1. In the past 12 months, which of the following have you done as a part of your career

exploration and development?
a. Completed an Individual 

Yes

No

I do not remember

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Development Plan (IDP)
b. Held internship(s) 
internal to the institution
c. Held internship(s) 
external to the institution
d. Attended a course(s) 
about career planning for 
credit
e. Attended a course(s) 
about career planning not 
for credit
f. Sought career advice 
from your PI
g. Sought career advice 
from a faculty member 
(other than your PI) or a 
staff member
h. Discussed career plans 
with professionals outside 
of academia
i. Attended career­related 
event(s) at your institution 
(e.g. workshops, speakers, 
career fairs, seminars, etc.)
j. Attended career­related 
event(s) NOT at your 
institution (e.g. workshops, 
speakers, career fairs, 
seminars, etc.)
k. Read books, articles, 
and/or online sources 
about career development 
or planning
l. Other (please specify) 

Page 3

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 2. UNDERSTANDING OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, CONFIDENCE IN
CAREERS, AN...

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*2. How confident are you in your ability to do the following?
5 
Complete 
confidence
a. Accurately assess your 

4  
High confidence

3  

2 

Moderate 

Minimal 

confidence

confidence

1  
No confidence

I do not know

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abilities to pursue your 
desired career path(s).
b. Determine the steps to 
pursue your desired career 
path(s).
c. Talk to your PI/faculty 
advisor regarding your 
desired career path(s).
d. Seek advice from 
professionals in your desired 
career path(s).
e. Identify potential 
employers, firms, and 
institutions relevant to your 
desired career path(s).
f. Achieve your career 
goals.

Page 4

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 2. UNDERSTANDING OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, CONFIDENCE IN
CAREERS, AN...

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

Table 1

e. 

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing

*3. Based on the list of career paths, to what extent are you currently considering the

following?

5 

4  

3  

2 

Will definitely 

Strongly 

Moderately 

Slightly 

pursue

considering

considering

considering

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b. Research in industry.

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c. Research staff in a 

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h. Clinical practice

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i. Public health related 

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j. Scientific/medical testing

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k. Science writing

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l. Research administration

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m. Science policy

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n. Intellectual property

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o. Business of science

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p. Entrepreneurship

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q. Sales and marketing of 

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a. Principal investigator in a 

1  
Not considering

I do not know

research­intensive 
institution

research­intensive 
institution
d. Combined research and 
teaching careers
e. Teaching­intensive 
careers in academia
f. Science education for K­
12 schools
g. Science education for 
non­scientists

careers

science­related products
r. Support of science­related 
products
s. Drug/device approval and 
production
t. Clinical research 
management
u. Career that is not related 
to science
v. Other (please specify) 

Page 6

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing

*FEEDBACK FOR QUESTION 3
Please comment if the descriptions in the career path table were helpful in answering
Question 3.
5
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Page 7

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 2. UNDERSTANDING OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, CONFIDENCE IN
CAREERS, AN...

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*4. How important are the following factors in your choice of career path(s)?
5 
Extremely 
important

3 

4  
Very important

Moderately 
important

2 

1 

Slightly important Not at all important

I do not know

a. Professional satisfaction

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b. Geographic location

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c. Work­life balance

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d. Salary level

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e. More job openings

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f. Availability of funding for 

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research
g. Mentor advice
h. Other (please specify) 

*FEEDBACK FOR QUESTION 4
What are your thoughts on changing the wording from “important” to “influential”?
5
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Page 8

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 2. DEPARTMENT PREPARATION

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*5a. Thinking about your department as a whole, how much do you agree with the

following statements?

3 

5  

4 

Strongly agree

Agree

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a. I feel I am getting the 

Neither disagree 
nor agree

2 

1 
I do not know

Not applicable

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Disagree

Strongly 
disagree

training I need for my desired 
career path(s).
b. I feel I am receiving 
support from my department 
to pursue professional 
development activities.
c. I feel I am receving support 
from my department for a 
broad range of career path(s).

*5b. Thinking about your institution as a whole, how much do you agree with the

following statements?

a. I feel I am getting the 

3 

5  

4 

Strongly agree

Agree

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Neither disagree 
nor agree

2 

1 
I do not know

Not applicable

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Disagree

Strongly 
disagree

training I need for my desired 
career path(s).
b. I feel I am receiving 
support from my institution to 
pursue professional 
development activities.
c. I feel I am receiving 
support from my institution for 
a broad range of career path
(s).

*FEEDBACK FOR QUESTIONS 5A AND 5B
What are your thoughts about Questions 5a and 5b? Regarding professional development
activities, what types of distinctions do you make between the support you receive from
your department and your institution?
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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 3. FACULTY SUPPORT

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*6a. Do you have a PI/faculty advisor?
j a. Yes
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j b. No
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Page 10

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 3. FACULTY SUPPORT

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*6b. Thinking about your interactions with your PI/faculty advisor, how much do you

agree with the following statements?

a. My PI/faculty advisor 

3 

5  

4 

Strongly agree

Agree

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2 

1 

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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Neither disagree 
nor agree

I do not know

supports my career goals.
b. My PI/faculty advisor 
supports my professional 
development towards my 
desired career goals.

Page 11

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 3. FACULTY SUPPORT

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*7. In the past 12 months, approximately how often did you discuss your career goals

and progress with:

Once per week

Once per month

Once per year

Never

I do not remember

Not applicable

a. Your PI/Advisor

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b. Your Thesis or advisory 

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committee
c. Other faculty or staff 
members at your institution
d. A professional outside 
your institution whom you 
consider a mentor
e. Your peers

Page 12

BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 4. DEMOGRAPHICS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

8. Which of these best describes your ethnicity (choose one)? (optional)
j a. Hispanic or Latino
k
l
m
n

j b. Not Hispanic or Latino
k
l
m
n

9. Which of these best describes your race (choose one or more)? (optional)
c a. American Indian or Alaska Native
d
e
f
g
c b. Asian
d
e
f
g

c c. Black or African American
d
e
f
g

c d. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
d
e
f
g
c e. White
d
e
f
g

10. What is your citizenship status? (optional)
j a. US citizen since birth
k
l
m
n

j b. Naturalized US citizen
k
l
m
n

j c. Non US citizen with permanent resident visa (green card)
k
l
m
n
j d. Non US citizen with temporary US visa
k
l
m
n

11. What is your gender? (optional)
j a. Male
k
l
m
n

j b. Female
k
l
m
n

12. What year were you born? (optional)

13. What is the highest degree held by one or both of your parents? (optional)
j a. Less than High School
k
l
m
n
j b. High School
k
l
m
n

j c. Some College
k
l
m
n

j d. Associate’s Degree
k
l
m
n
j e. Bachelor’s Degree
k
l
m
n

j f. Master’s or Law Degree
k
l
m
n

j g. PhD, MD, or other doctoral degree
k
l
m
n

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
14. What graduate degree(s) do you have? (Check all that apply)
c a. Ph.D. (or equivalent)
d
e
f
g
c b. M.D. (or equivalent)
d
e
f
g

c c. D.V.M. (or equivalent)
d
e
f
g
c d. M.S., M.A., or M.B.A.
d
e
f
g

c e. Other type of master's degree(s) or doctoral degree(s) (please specify)
d
e
f
g

*15. What university department are you in?

*16. When did you earn your doctoral degree? (MM/YYYY)

*17. Including your current position, how many postdoc positions have you held?

*18. When did you start your current postdoc position? (MM/YYYY)

*19. When do you anticipate leaving your current postdoctoral position? (MM/YYYY)

*20a. Have you been a first author on a publication in a peer reviewed journal (includes

publications before and during Ph.D. program)?
j a. Yes
k
l
m
n
j b. No
k
l
m
n

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 4. DEMOGRAPHICS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*20b. How many first author publications do you have in peer reviewed journals?

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 4. DEMOGRAPHICS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*21. Please indicate whether each of the following was a source of financial support

during graduate school.

Yes

No

I do not remember

I do not know

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

d. Loans

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

e. Personal or family

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

f. Employer 

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

a. Fellowship or scholarship 
awarded to you
b. Research, teaching, or 
other assistantship
c. Internship, clinical 
residency

reimbursement/assistance
g. Foreign (non­U.S.) 
support
h. Other (please specify) 

*FEEDBACK FOR QUESTION 21
Please comment on the following items for Question 21.
Items a and b: Do you think 
most respondents would 
know the details of their 
source of financial support?
Item b: If a graduate student 
had a research assistantship, 
would she/he know if the 
funding came from a 
Principal Investigator’s grant 
as opposed to the graduate 
program?
Do you have any additional 
categories of financial 
support? If so, please list 
them.

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 4. DEMOGRAPHICS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

22. Approximately how much money do you owe that is directly related to your graduate
education? (optional)
j a. None
k
l
m
n

j b. Less than $10,000
k
l
m
n

j c. Between $10,000 and $30,000
k
l
m
n
j d. More than $30,000
k
l
m
n

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
SECTION 5. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FUTURE SURVEYS

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

23. This survey is a part of a long­term study of the training and career outcomes of
graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. We would like to invite you to participate in
a survey when you exit the institution. The information you provide in the surveys could
improve doctoral and postdoctoral training experiences within the biomedical science
programs/departments at your institution. There will be raffles for prizes offered to the
participants of these surveys. Your participation in the surveys is voluntary. You are free to
withdraw your consent and discontinue participation without penalty at any time.
If you would like to be contacted for exit surveys, please provide your email address(es)
below.
Primary Email Address (e.g. 
personal or non­institutional)
Secondary Email Address 
(optional)

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BEST Postdoc Entrance Survey Pilot Testing
FEEDBACK

OMB # 0925­0046    Expiration Date: 5/31/2016 

*Please record the end time when you finish, so we can approximate the time it takes to

complete the survey.
HH
End Time

MM
:

AM/PM

6

*A. What is your overall impression of the survey?
5
6  

*B. Were any of the instructions unclear? If yes, which questions and why? Please feel

free to use the back button to go back through the survey.
5
6  

*C. Where there any questions where you feel the wording could be improved? If yes,

which questions and why? Please feel free to use the back button to go back through the
survey.
5
6  

*D. Were there any questions you feel did not apply to you? Why?
5
6  

*E. What are your comments about the order of the questions?
5
6  

*F. What suggestions do you have to encourage participation in the surveys?
5
6  

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