Research FAQ

How do I know my project is research vs. non-research scholarly activity?

Click on the links below for guidance regarding the difference between quality improvement and research projects and how to get started with each type of project.

1. QA/QI guidelines
2. Scholarly flow

How do I have my research project reviewed and approved?

1. Provide the completed and signed ORSP-1 form to the ORSP for review.
2. The ORSP may ask for further clarifications.
3. The ORSP will provide a list of required trainings that must be completed in advance of starting the project.
4. All personnel on a project (including students) MUST complete the CITI Conflict of Interest Training
5. All personnel on a project (including students) MUST complete a Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure
6. An email from the ORSP indicating Institutional approval (or not) for the project will be provided.
7. ADDITIONAL APPROVALS MAY BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO STARTING THE PROJECT

How do I procure regulatory committee (e.g. IRB, IACUC, IBC) approvals?

1. In the project initiation approval email from the ORSP, additional approvals such as IRB, IACUC, or IBC review and approval may be required (and stated).
2. The appropriate Committee Chair(s) are copied on the email from the ORSP.
3. The PI should contact the Research Integrity and Compliance Administrator for information on how to provide a protocol application for review.

How do I add (or remove) personnel to (from) my project?

1. Email orsp@osteo.wvsom.edu and request the person(s) be added to (or removed from) the project.
2. Be sure to specify what role the person will have (this guides training requirements) and provide their contact information (email).
3. The ORSP will confirm eligibility in terms of trainings, or provide a list of trainings required.
4. Once the person is eligible to participate in the role specified for that project, the ORSP will send a confirmatory email to the person and the PI.

How do I request technicians/assistance for bench, clinical, educational, or other research projects?

1. Send an email to orsp@osteo.wvsom.edu requesting assistance and describing your wants.
2. The ORSP may schedule a meeting to discuss.
3. We have limited technical help, but we want to get you what you need.

Tell me more about the intramural funding program.

1. WVSOM maintains a modest intramural funding program for research projects.
2. Intramural applications are due August 15, December 15, and April 15.
3. Intramural grant applications are reviewed by the WVSOM Research committee for scientific merit, and recommendations regarding funding are made to the Associate Dean of Research and Sponsored Programs, who in turn, makes recommendations to the Dean.
4. Intramural applications are 'seed monies' to develop projects. A successful application will identify external sources of funding for future application.
5. Intramural application forms may be found on the Forms page.

Do I need WVSOM approval for collaborative research?

WVSOM encourages collaborative research, both within the institution and with external collaborators. Employees collaborating with external researchers are generally required to follow WVSOM policies and procedures, meaning all WVSOM approvals must be in place prior to the employee undertaking the collaborative work. For more information, or to see how collaborations by students at/with external PIs are considered, please see the student webpage.

What are the role and responsibilities of a WVSOM mentor for students doing research at an external facility?

As a WVSOM student research mentor, your responsibilities are to help guide the student through the approval process and ensure that the required permissions are in place. The WVSOM mentor may also help the student access WVSOM resources (e.g. statistics consultation, travel/poster funding) or provide professionalism mentoring. The WVSOM mentor may also be monitoring educational aspects of the program (e.g. a research rotation).

For clarity, the WVSOM mentor is not research personnel on the project and the WVSOM mentor should not be funding the research. The student should not be sharing data or specific information regarding the project with the WVSOM mentor, nor should the WVSOM mentor ask for any of those things related to the research project (without permission of the PI).

What are the PI's Responsibilities?

1. Oversight and management of the project and all personnel, including ensuring compliance with federal regulations and WVSOM policy.
2. Ensuring all personnel are appropriately trained prior to them assisting with the research
3. Oversight of the budget, ensuring no budget overages, and ensuring expenditures are in compliance with WVSOM policies.
4. Ensuring safe laboratory practices.
5. Ensuring responsible conduct of research.
6. Ensuring ethical treatment of all subjects.
7. Ensuring open and consistent communication with the ORSP.

(Free) Research and Scholarly Activity Databases