2 CPF Survey 2018 Senior Fellows

CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Welcome to Annual CPF Survey

OMB No.: 0925-0642
Expiration Date: 05/31/2020

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 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
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reducing this burden to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974,
Bethesda, MD 20892-7974, ATTN: PRA (0925-0642). Do not return the completed form to this
address.

This survey is a fellow-driven endeavor to collect information on the training and research needs of Cancer Prevention Fellows (CPFs).
The aim is to use this information to improve our experience as CPFs or the CPFP in general. All responses are completely
anonymous, so please answer the questions honestly. Much can be learned from your thoughtful and critical feedback. We are grateful
for your participation!

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 1: Background information

1. What year of the fellowship are you currently in?
This refers to years spent on-site at NCI and does NOT include the MPH year, if you completed one.
Second year on-site at NCI
Third year on-site at NCI
Fourth year on-site at NCI

2. Prior to entering the fellowship, had you conducted research in the field of cancer prevention and
control?
Yes
No
Unsure

3. What type(s) of research are you currently conducting?(Mark all that apply).
Wet lab/Bench research
Behavioral/Social Science research
Epidemiology/Biostatistics research
Clinical research
Health Services research
Dissemination and Implementation research
Other (please specify)

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4. What type(s) of research do you want to pursue in the remaining years of your fellowship?(Mark all that
apply).
Wet lab/Bench research
Behavioral/Social Science research
Epidemiology/Biostatistics research
Clinical research
Health Services research
Dissemination and Implementation research
Other (please specify)

5. Do you plan on applying for jobs in the next 12 months?
Yes, I am already applying for jobs
Yes, I am planning on applying for jobs
Possibly, for select positions
No
Unsure

6. What employment sector(s) are you considering working in after completion of the CPFP?
(Select all that apply)
University or Cancer Center
Industry (e.g., Merck)
Government (HHS, NIH)
Healthcare organizations (e.g., Kaiser Permanente)
Non-Government organization (e.g., American Cancer Society)
Contract Research Organizations (e.g., Westat, RTI)
Consulting
Don't know/ Not sure
Other (please specify)

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 2: Training needs for specific skills and abilities

In this section, we are interested in obtaining two types of information:
1) Quality: How satisfied are fellows with various types of training opportunities available to CPF's?
2) Quantity: What types of training do fellows want more of?
When answering these questions, please consider the training you have recieved from your peers,
preceptor (s), other mentors in your branch or division, the CPFP, or other NCI or NIH sources (e.g.,
the NIH library, OITE, etc.)

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7. Research skills and abilities:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the quality of the training you have received as a CPF, and
whether, as a part of your fellowship experience, you would like more training in the following research
areas.
If you have not received any training in an area, select "Not Applicable".
Satisfaction

Would you like more training in this
area?
(If not, leave blank.)

Literature review/search strategies
Identifying available datasets
Generation of scientifically testable hypotheses
Ability to conceptualize a research project
Grant writing
Quantitative data analysis (biostats)
Statistical software programming
Qualitative data analysis
Laboratory techniques
Interpretation of results
Translation of research to practice and/or policy
Manuscript review for a journal
Responsible conduct of research (RCR)
If you indicated RCR above, please provide details on the specific types (e.g. data security, research with vulnerable populations,
responsible authorship, conflicts of interest, etc)

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8. Communication skills and abilities:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the quality of the training you have received as a CPF, and
whether, as a part of your fellowship experience, you would like more training in the following research
areas.
If you have not received any training in an area, select "Not Applicable".
Satisfaction

Would you like more training in this
area?
(If not, leave blank.)

Scientific writing
Public speaking
Teaching
Interpersonal communication
Communication with the Media
Writing for a lay audience (general public)
Professional networking
If you have specific training in mind, please provide details here.

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9. Leadership and Management skills:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the quality of the training you have received as a CPF, and
whether, as a part of your fellowship experience, you would like more training in the following leadership
and management areas.
If you have not received any training in an area, select "Not Applicable".
Satisfaction

Would you like more training in this
area?
(If not, leave blank.)

Time management
Conflict resolution
Budgeting for research projects
Supervision of team members
Developing a program of research
Work-life balance
How to engage in team science
Becoming a good mentor
If you would like more training, please provide details on the specific types of leadership or management training desired.

10. Service:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the opportunities for service (within and outside of the NIH) you
have as a CPF, and whether, as a part of your fellowship experience, you would like more service
opportunities in the following areas. If you have not had an opportunity for a specific type of service, select
"Not Applicable".
Satisfaction

Would you like more of these types of
service opportunities?
(If not, leave blank.)

Professional societies
Editorial and advisory boards
Peer review of grants
Peer review of manuscripts
NIH or NCI committees
CPFP FAB committees
If you would like other service opportunities, please provide specific details.

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11. Collaboration:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the collaboration opportunities you have as a CPF, and whether,
as a part of your fellowship experience, you would like more opportunities to collaborate with the following
types of researchers.
If you have not had an opportunity for a specific type of collaboration, select "Not Applicable".
Satisfaction

Would you like more of these
types of collaboration
opportunities?
(If not, leave blank.)

Collaboration with other Cancer Prevention Fellows
Collaboration with NCI researchers
Collaboration with NIH researchers (non-NCI)
Collaboration with non-NIH, domestic (U.S.-based) researchers
Collaboration with international researchers
If you would like more opportunities, please provide specific details.

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 3: Grants and scientific writing committee

The Grants and Scientific Writing Committee supports the development of knowledge and skills in the areas of grant and scientific
writing. In Questions 12-14, please rate your interest in the following areas:

12. Scientific Writing
Not interested

Somewhat interested

Very interested

Need more information to
decide

Reference management
software options and
tips
Tips to keep up-to-date
on the literature in your
area
Avoiding language
pitfalls (e.g. using an
active voice, writing
without jargon, and
basic elements of
sentence structure)
Making time for writing
and staying on task
The writing process
explained (e.g. outlining,
editing, and revising)

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13. Collaborative Writing

Not Interested

Somewhat
Interested

Very Interested

Need More
Information to
Decide

Discussing authorship
Dealing with finicky
writers/coauthors
Finding group
consensus in team
writing
Scientific writing for the
masses - blogs, popular
publications, public
education
Science and the press how to effectively
communicate your work
with journalists
How to present data
effectively
Activity: Participating in
dedicated group writing
time
Activity: Identify
collaborators within CPF

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14. Grant Writing
Not interested

Somewhat interested

Very interested

Need more information to
decide

The role of program
directors: how they can
help you
K-Awards: Types &
Timing
Research awards and
Grants CPF can apply
for while at the NCI
(e.g., internal awards,
foundation grants,
collaborating with
outside PIs)
Describing innovative or
uncommon methods in
the grant application
(e.g., advanced
statistical approaches,
qualitative methods,
new study designs)
Activity: Group writing of
specific grant sections
(e.g. Specific Aims,
Research Strategy, etc.)

15. Please list any other topics related to grant or scientific writing training that would be of interest to you.

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 4: Career developmental seminar series committee

16. Please indicate whether, as part of your fellowship experience, you want information about the following
types of careers.
Please rate your interest in learning more (1=very interested, 5=not at all
interested)
Understanding job offer benefits (e.g., retirement
plans)
How to be a good mentor
How to effectively communicate with your mentor
Confidence in the workplace/communication
Time management skills and tools
Research jobs in government
Research jobs in academia
Research jobs in industry
Research jobs/jobs in non-governmental
organizations (NGOs)
Extramural jobs across HHS
Overview of NIH research grants system
Navigating USA Jobs
“Imposter Syndrome”
Networking
Opportunities to apply for financial research awards
as an NCI fellow
Wellness/life planning
Other

17. What career related seminars would you like to see during your fellowship?

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18. How satisfied have you been with career related seminars as part of the fellowship?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Not applicable

19. Aside from those covered above, are there any other areas in which you would like the CPFP to
provide training? Please provide specific details to help us better understand the training needs of CPFs.

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 5 : Methods and training committee

20. Which of the following topics would you be interested to receive training/guidance in?
Please rank in order of preference (1=most interested)
Specific datasets available for fellows at NCI to use (tips, pitfalls, how to gain access)

Types of approval needed for accessing data/disseminating findings

Tips or hacks for organizing research work (e.g. note-taking software, project management/collaboration
software such as ‘Asana’, reference management software)

Epidemiological study design and analysis approaches

Statistical software

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21. A list of specific epidemiological study design/analysis topics of interest was generated at the committee
meetings.
Please rank in order of preference (1=most interested)
Matching participants

Multilevel modeling

Survival analysis

Missing data/assessing random/non-randomness/Multiple imputations

Longitudinal data analysis

Analyzing population level survey data (e.g. sampling, inverse probability weighting)

Causal inference (matching, propensity scores and sensitivity to unobserved confounding)

Mediation analyses

Competing risks

Types of bias and tools to address them (e.g. regression calibration)

Spatial/geographic data analysis

Big data analysis, e.g. cluster/supercomputing with ‘Biowulf’

22. Which statistical software programming package would you like training for? (Pick the most important
one for your current needs)
SPSS
SAS
STATA
SUDAAN
R
GraphPad Prism
Scripting packages, e.g. Python
Other (please specify)

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23. For the option you chose, please rank the most important aspect of training for that statistical software
(1= most important, 4= least important)
Basic programing (e.g. uploading data files, manipulating variables, running basic checks, etc.)

Data Management (e.g. record keeping, merging data, writing code, etc. )

Running specific statistical procedures

Graphics/ Data visualization techniques

24. If we were to offer a workshop for statistical programming, what format would you prefer?
2-day workshop (consecutive)
1-day workshop
One afternoon lecture
Series of lectures
Informal/peer-led ‘lunch and learn’ sessions

25. Would you like to lead a peer-led training session on any of the topics listed in the above questions?
Yes
No
Unsure

26. Please state below what topic(s) you would be interested in leading a session on:

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 6: Alumni relations committee

27. Have you previously attempted to get in touch with CPFP alumni?
Yes, and I was successful
Yes, but I was unsuccessful
No

28. How did you identify CPFP alumni to contact?

29. What would be a CPFP resource or activity that could facilitate your connection with alumni?

30. If you could have access to an alumni database populated with public information about CPFP alumni,
what type of categories and information would be helpful to know?
(select all that are of interest)
Alumni generally categorized by sector experience
Postdoctoral discipline
Program entry/exit date
NCI/FDA division affiliation during fellowship years
Other (please specify)

31. Are you interested in hosting or attending an alumni event (social gathering or other meal)?
Yes
No
Not sure

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32. If yes, at what type of meetings would you like to host or attend a social gathering?
Local meetings
National conferences

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 7: Fellowship experience - CPFP staff communication

33. CPFP Curriculum:
Please indicate how satisfied you are with the following aspects of the CPFP.(Please use the 'Not
Applicable' option if you feel like you haven't had a chance to assess the CPFP Curriculum in any area.)
Satisfaction
Total length of the
fellowship
MPH experience
Fellows Research
Meetings (FRM)
Colloquia
Fall Fellows' Symposium
Summer Curriculum in
Cancer Prevention
Speaking about Science
training
Grants and
Grantsmanship training
CPFP-sponsored
leadership and other
training activities
Please add any comments or suggestions about CPFP curriculum.

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34. Administrative Staff and Procedures: Please indicate how satisfied you are with the CPFP staff and the
following CPFP procedures. (Please use the "Not applicable" option if you feel you haven't had a chance to
assess staff in any area.)
Satisfaction
Awareness of who to contact about specific topics and issues
Timeliness of the communication with administrative staff
Quality of the communication with administrative staff
Relocation/moving issues
Travel requirements and procedures
Event scheduling and notification (e.g., orientation, FRMs,
Colloquia, etc.)
Please add any comments or suggestions regarding CPFP staff and procedures.

35. CPFP Director/Deputy Director: Please indicate how satisfied you are with the CPFP leadership in the
following areas.
(Please use the "Not applicable" option if you feel you haven't had a chance to assess the CPFP
Director/Deputy Director in any area.)
Satisfaction
Availability
Timeliness and quality of the communication (including
expectations of fellows)
Guidance about CPFP activities and experiences
Assistance with career planning
Providing information about independent funding (e.g., grants) or
additional training/experiences
Notification about job openings
Please add any comments or suggestions regarding CPFP leadership.

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 8 -Fellowship experience - Logistics

36. Out of 100% of your time in an average work week, what percent do you spend on the following.
(Please insert number next to activity. Total should equal 100%)
Fellow ship required
activities (e.g. FRM,
coloquia)
Fellowship non-required
activities (e.g. committee
meetings, optional
trainings, peer mentoring)
Research related activities
(e.g. data analysis,
manuscript writing. project
management)
Pursuit of employment
(e.g. informational
interviews, job
applications, job
searches)
Other non-CPF activities
(e.g. branch meetings,
NCI wide seminars,
interest groups,
administrative tasks)

37. How easy has it been for you to find the data at the NCI/generate the data necessary to answer the
research questions you were interested in?
Very easy
Somewhat easy
Neutral
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
Not applicable

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38. Compared to your non-CPFP peers, how prepared do you think you are for the job market?
Much less prepared
Somewhat less prepared
About the same
Somewhat more prepared
Much more prepared

39. Overall, how do you rate your satisfaction with your experience in the CPFP so far?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Please add any comments or suggestions for improvement.

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 9 - Mentorship

40. Do you have at least one mentor, at NCI or through the CPFP, that fulfills the following role for you?
No, but do not want/need

No, but would like to have

Yes

Sponsor
- Helps you attain
desirable positions or
career experiences
- Uses influence to
support advancement for
your career
Career advisor
- Helps you learn about
NCI and NIH
- Gives advice about
how to effectively
perform within NCI
- Provides specific
suggestions on how to
enhance your
performance
Advocate
- "Runs interference" for
you
- Shields you from
damaging contact or
actions from others
Investor
- Gives tasks that require
you to learn new skills or
external opportunities for
growth
- Provides challenging or
"stretch" assignments
- Provides opportunities
that strengthen existing
skills
Networker
- Helps be more visible
within NCI
- Creates opportunities
to impress key or
influential people

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No, but do not want/need

No, but would like to have

Yes

Personal benchmark
- Serves as a role model
for you
- Provides a model that
you can identify with or
aspire to be
Supporter
- Accepts you as a
competent professionsal
- Sees you as
knowledgeable
- Thinks highly of you
Sounding board
- Serves as a sounding
board for you to develop
and understand yourself
- Guides you in
professional or personal
development
Ally
- Can be confided in
- Provides support and
encouragement
- Someone you can trust

41. Considering all you mentors, at NCI or through the CPFP, how adequate is the mentorship you receive
in the following areas?
Adequate

Somewhat adequate

Inadequate

Unsure

Identification of new
research avenues
Help with manuscript
preparation
Career planning
Promoting you
professionally

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CPF Survey 2018 - Senior Fellows
Category 10: Additional comments

42. Please provide any additional comments/suggestions in the box below. Is there anything we didn't ask
that you want to tell us?

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