Research Training

Interns are involved in research activity throughout the year. One day (or two half-days) totaling eight hours per week are reserved for research activities in collaboration with the intern's research preceptor. All interns must become involved in an ongoing research project and/or design an independent research project in conjunction with their preceptor. To encourage professional development, each intern receives $500 to facilitate conference attendance. Interns are required to complete a research paper (6000 words, APA format), which is submitted for blind review to three external scientist-practitioners. Recognition is given to the top three papers, and the best paper is awarded a cash prize (approximately $300). Interns are encouraged to submit these papers for presentation and/or publication.

Research preceptors are assigned by the director of research training in consultation with the psychology education committee after the APPIC match results are received. Interns’ preferences are taken into consideration in making these assignments. In addition, the wishes of potential preceptors are considered (e.g. time available, interest in a particular intern, a project for an intern to work on).

The faculty preceptor has two functions — to supervise the intern's research activities during internship, and to serve as the intern's mentor and advocate throughout the year. We view research preceptors as benevolent major professors who assist interns in their professional and personal development as scientist-practitioner psychologists-in-training. Progress on research plans is monitored through regular (usually weekly) meetings between the research preceptor and the intern. All interns are allowed eight hours for research activities each week (either eight hours on one day or two 4-hour blocks). In addition, the research performance of interns and the quality of research training are evaluated by preceptors and interns on a semi-annual basis. As part of program planning, it is required that each intern develop a research plan in consultation with the preceptor at the beginning of the year. Progress towards these research goals are evaluated informally throughout the year and formally on a semi-annual basis.

Research Training Structure

Our program takes the clinical scientist/scientist-practitioner model of training very seriously, and we provide significant, mentored research training during internship. We allot the equivalent of one full day (eight total hours) of training in the schedule for interns to participate in research activities. Early in the training year, in conjunction with an assigned research preceptor, interns develop a research plan for their internship year. Typically, these plans include a variety of elements (e.g., grant writing development, conference submissions, manuscript development, IRB proposals, data analysis, etc.), but one required element is the creation of an original manuscript based on work conducted during the internship. This manuscript must be approved by the preceptor and submitted by May of the internship year as part of the Annual Paper Competition. We also provide $1,000 in professional development funds to all interns to facilitate attendance at professional meetings during the intern year.