Form 1 CPF Survey 2018 First Year Fellows

CPF Survey 2018 - First Year 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 25 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 1: Background Information

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

2. 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)

3. What type(s) of research do you want to pursue during your time in the 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)

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4. 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

5. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 2: Training needs for specific skills and abilities

6. Research skills and abilities:
Please indicate whether, as part of your fellowship experience, you would like training in the following
research areas.
Would you like 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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7. Communication skills and abilities:
Please indicate whether, as part of your fellowship experience, you would like training in the following
areas.
Would you like 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.

8. Leadership and Management skills:
Please indicate whether, as part of your fellowship experience, you would like training in the following areas
Would you like 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.

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9. Service: Please indicate whether, as part of your fellowship experience, you would be interested in
service opportunities in the following areas.
Would you be interested in 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 more of these or other opportunities, please provide specific details.

10. Collaboration: Please indicate whether you would be interested in opportunities to collaborate with the
following types of researchers.
Would you be interested in 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 - First Year 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 11-13 please rate your interest in the following areas:

11. 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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12. 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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13. 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.)

14. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 4: Career developmental seminar series committee

15. Career opportunities: 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 (please specify)

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

17. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 5 : Methods and training committee

18. Which of the following topics would you be interested to receive training/guidance in?
Rank options in order of preference (1=most interested).
Specific data sets 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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19. A list of specific epidemiological study design/analysis topics of interest was generated at the committee
meetings
Please mark topics of interest and 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’

20. 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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21. 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

22. 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

23. Would you be interested in leading/teaching a session on any of these topics, or something else not
listed here?
Yes
No
Unsure

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

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CPF Survey 2018 - First Year Fellows
Category 6: Alumni relations committee

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

26. How did you identify CPFP alumni to contact?

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

28. 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)

29. Are you interested in hosting or attending an alumni event (social gathering or other meal)?
Yes
No
Unsure

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30. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 7: Fellowship experience - CPFP staff communication

31. 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.

32. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 8: Overall fellowship experience

33. Overall, how satisfied were you with the CPFP orientation?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Please add any comments or suggestions for improvement.

34. Overall, how satisfied were you with the summer curriculum?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Please add any comments or suggestions for improvement.

35. 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 - First Year Fellows
Category 9: Additional comments

36. 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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