Research tips/Advice
The articles below are written by the members of the SOMA Research Committee, reflecting their dedication to fostering a culture of inquiry and professional excellence. These articles serve as a holistic guide for those engaged in the research field. Here, you’ll find a wide array of resources, from guides on starting your research projects to articles that support your professional development. Additionally, the collection includes useful databases for manuscript submissions, details on symposiums, and information on relevant conferences, providing you with the tools needed to thrive in your research endeavors.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the SOMA Research Website/Database Vice Chair at somaresearchdatabase@studentdo.com.
How to Present a Research Poster
Author: Jonathan Bakly Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: May 7, 2025 Introduction Throughout a medical student’s journey to achieve their goals, many will partake in research and have the opportunity to create a poster based on their work. After...
The Importance of Osteopathic Medical Student Participation in Research Projects
Author: Caleb Sooknanan Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: May 7, 2025 Introduction Recruiting and retaining osteopathic medical students as research study participants can provide unique opportunities and challenges for the corresponding researchers....
Imposter Syndrome in Research
Author: Mustafa Ansari Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: May 7, 2025 Recognizing Self-Doubt The term “imposter phenomenon,” commonly referred to as imposter syndrome today, was first introduced by Clance and Imes in 1978. They described a psychological...
Sources 101: Sources for Different Research Projects
Author: Narmeen Rasul Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: May 7, 2025 Adding sources into a research project is crucial to ensure credibility, reliability, and reproducibility of findings. By citing reputable sources, researchers can follow the origins...
How to Obtain a Research Fellowship During Medical School
Author: Bader Nasir Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: December 17, 2024 A record number of applicants participated in the 2024 Residency Match, driven largely by an increasing number of Osteopathic and IMG applicants [1]. Due to various factors such as...
Navigating Research: Key Stages Every Medical Student Must Know
Author: Narmeen Rasul Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: December 16, 2024 Medical school is a rigorous and demanding journey where the need to balance classes, volunteering, board studying, and research is crucial for both academic success and personal...
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Research: Benefits and Pitfalls
Author: Mustafa Ansari, OMS II PCOM GA Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: December 16, 2024 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various fields including healthcare. It has the ability to process large amounts of data in a short time and can...
The Importance of Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations in Medicine
Author: Caleb Sooknanan, OMS II NYITCOM Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: December 16, 2024 Table of Contents Introduction Enhancing Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques Connecting Basic and Clinical Research Patient-Centered Care through...
Creating a Research Poster as a Medical Student
Author: Jonathan Bakly, OMS III, Touro Nevada Editors: Pranitha Pothuri and Mahi Basra Updated: December 16, 2024 Introduction Many medical students engage in research during their education. While there are many different types of research studies, all...
Research Symposium Opportunities
Author: Fayhaa Doja, Anand Sheth & Abigail Olsen Updated by: Hayley Brands Editors: Pranitha Pothuri & Mahi Basra Updated: December 17, 2024 GENERAL: Indian American Medical Association of Illinois (IAMA-IL) Annual Research Symposium: IAMA is a...
How PROMIS Measures Elevate Medical Research
By: Nicole Neiman Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: January 31, 2024 If you are designing a study and interested in collecting patient reported outcomes, PROMIS, or the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, is an NIH-funded...
How to Write a Medical Case Report: A Guide for Medical Students
Author: Pranitha Pothuri, OMS III, ARCOM Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: January 31, 2024 Case reports are a great way for medical students to get involved in research and report on interesting cases/scientific findings. Typically, they are brief...
Timeline for Applying to Summer Research
Author: Pranitha Pothuri Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: February 4, 2024 TIPS/TRICKS: Use the AAMC and SOMA databases to find programs of interest You can use letters of recommendation from undergraduate/gap years Make a spreadsheet of programs...
Research Collaboration
Author: Nicole Neiman Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: February 4, 2024 Use this Google Form if you are interested in collaborating with other osteopathic medical...
SOMA Research Committee Research Project Presented at OMED 2022
Updated: December 22, 2022 Medical student Madison George presented the 2021-2022 SOMA Research Committee research project at the 2022 OMED conference, hosted by the American Osteopathic Association. Authors: Angela Ho, Alyssa Auerbach, Jantzen J. Faulkner, Satvinder...
Authorship
Author: Saajan Patel Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: February 4, 2024 What is authorship? According to Cambridge University, authorship is what provides credit to a person’s contributions to a work and holds them accountable for that work [1]....
How To Email a Principal Investigator
Author: Samantha Licciardi, OMS II, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine Updated: December 26, 2023 TIPS: Research the PI and their research projects Read their abstracts or what is included in their bio on departmental websites Use a concise and informative subject...
Types of Research
Author: Logan Wesemann, OMS-II, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Updated: December 26, 2023 With the recent change of the COMLEX Level 1 and USMLE Step 1 exams to pass/fail, it has become increasingly important to distinguish yourself for...
How To Conduct Statistical Analysis in Research
Author: Samantha Licciardi, OMS II, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine Updated: October 15, 2023 EXAMPLES OF STATISTICS USE IN SPECIFIC STUDIES: Correlational/Ecologic Studies: Measurements will represent characteristics of entire populations Measures a disease...
Literature Search vs. Literature Review
Author: Samantha Licciardi, OMS II, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine Updated: December 26, 2023 LITERATURE SEARCH: Purpose – To narrow down search results based on the research topic Characteristics – Search for one or multiple keywords relating to the research...
How To Get Research Experience In Medical School
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Roadmap to Publication
Author: Sharon Ke Updated: December 26, 2023 Why do Research? The truth is, research can be time-consuming. It requires self-discipline, motivation, and teamwork to see a project through from beginning to end while also balancing medical school and various life...
How to Start an Original Research Study
Author: Kathryn Lynch, OMSIII, LECOM Erie Updated: Dec 26, 2023 There are many steps to obtaining IRB approval for your research study. They are as follows: 1. Identify a need or gap in the literature 2. Review the research 3. Identify a research mentor 4. Determine...
Research Grants Database
Authors: Fayhaa Doja, Abigail Kappenman, Justin Chen & Mahima Rajesh Editors: Sneha Polam and Samantha Licciardi Updated: February 4, 2024 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Medical Student Research Grant Specialty: Radiology This grant is open to 1st...
Medical Student Summer Research Opportunities
Author: TouroCOM-Middletown APSA Research Club by SOMA National Research Committee [Database Subcommittee] Updated: December 26, 2023 AOA Research Grant This grant is designed to provide funding for research projects that embody the principles of osteopathic medicine...