National Naval Medical Center (NNMC)Directorate for Professional Education

Clinical Investigations Department

How to start research at NNMC

September, 2010

Marina Borovok, PhDHead of Research Education,Clinical Investigations Department, NNMC

"There is always a better way to do it.

Find it !!!"

— Thomas A. Edison

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 2

How we can find “a better way to do it”?

Only through the best available scientific knowledge,

and research-based decision making.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 3

Presentation OutlineI. How to start research at NNMC:

- Obtaining a DKO/AKO account,

- Registering with IRBNet,

- Completion of CITI training,

- Research topic selection,

- Research protocol/publication preparation,

- Research protocol/publication submission.

II. NNMC Research Resources : - Responsible Conduct of Research Service (RCRS),

- Stitt library,

- Research Protocol/Publication Help,

- Education/Mentoring Resources,

- ICEBERG;04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 4

04/10/23 5

Research Cue Card

NNMC Research Guide 66

I. How to start research at NNMC

Step 1: Obtaining a DKO/AKO account

at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/596540

(DMRN page on DKO/AKO website).

Cue Card Reference:

04/10/23

Step 1: Obtaining a DKO/AKO account(cont.)

Login using your AKO/DKO username and password

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 7

Step 1: Obtaining a DKO/AKO account(cont.)

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 8

You are at the DMRN site at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/596540

Click on the IRBNet Entry button

Step 1: Obtaining a DKO/AKO account(cont.)

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 9

Instructions are at the RCRS websitehttps://nnmcintra/SiteDirectory/RCRS/IRBNet/Forms/AllItems.aspx.

(see Appendix 1)

Questions? Please contact Mr. Luis Calvo at Luis.Calvo@med.navy.mil, 301 295-2269.

Step 2: Registering with IRBNet, e-portal for publications and protocol submission.

Cue Card Reference:

Instructions are at the RCRS websitehttps://nnmcintra/SiteDirectory/RCRS/IRBNet/Forms/AllItems.aspx.

(see Appendix 2)

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 10

Step 2: Registering with IRBNet, e-portal

for publications and protocol submission (cont.)

Questions?

Please contact Mr. Luis Calvo

at Luis.Calvo@med.navy.mil,

301 295-2269.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 11

Step 3: Completion of CITI trainingCue Card Reference:

Principal Investigators, Associate Investigators, Research Staff, as well as anyone coming into contact with Human Subjects or involved with the consent process or study design are required to complete this course.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 12

Step 3: Completion of CITI training

The course is available at https://www.citiprogram.org

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 13

Completion of CITI training

First Time Users need to register athttps://www.citiprogram.org/enroll/courseregistration1.asp?

language=english.

Questions?

Please contact Mrs. Toby Perkins

at Toby.Perkins@med.navy.mil,

301 319-8994.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 14

Now you are done with the registrations and training.

What is next?

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 15

Next steps: 4-5The entire research writing process can be divided

into easily manageable and clear steps:

STEP 4: Develop a Research Question

Select a topic

Find Sources to support your ideas

STEP 5: Research Protocol Preparation:

Literature Review

Start Writing

Statistical Analysis

Complete Detailed Study Protocol

STEP 6: Submit your proposal via

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 16

Step 4: Research topic selection

Cue Card Reference:

In order to do that you need to consult with your Department Chair/Supervisor/Mentor.

Need help to choose your Mentor?

Please contact Dr. Marina Borovok

at marina.borovok@med.navy.mil, 301 295-2876.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 17

Good research question: could the "FINER" criteria be applied to it?

F- Feasible.  Is the question answerable?  Do you have access to all the materials you will need to do the study? 

Do you have access to enough subjects?  Will you have enough time and money?  Do you have the expertise to do this study or can you collaborate with

someone who does?

I- Interesting.  The question has to be interesting to the investigator, but should also be interesting to others.

N- Novel.  Has this study been done before?  Does it add to the current body of medical knowledge?

E- Ethical.  Risk/benefit ratio? Can the study be done with a minimal risk?  Will an IRB approve the study?

R- Relevant.  Will it further medical science?  Will the results change clinical practice, health policy or point towards further avenues of research?

If your question fails on any one of these 5 criteria, it is probably not worth putting much effort into.Additional reading:http://familymed.uthscsa.edu/facultydevelopment/elearning/ResearchQuestions.swfAppendix 3

NNMC Research Guide 19

Step 5: Research Protocol Preparation

Literature Search help:Mr. Fredric Simms, MLSMedical Researcher,Phone: (301) 295-0080E-mail address: James.Simms@med.navy.mil Bldg. 1, 1st floor, rm 1633

Scientific Writing for Manuscripts and Protocol Preparation help:Dr. Brian Deevey, Medical Editor, Email: brian.deevey@med.navy.mil Phone: (301) 319 8911Bldg. 1, 1st floor, rm 1633

Statistical Data Analysis help:Dr. Francois O. TuamokumoMathematical Statistician Phone: (301) 319 8788Email: francois.tuamokumo@med.navy.mil Bldg. 1, 4th floor, rm 4342

1904/10/23

Cue Card Reference:

Step 6: Protocol submission via

Cue Card Reference:

Submission instructions are available on the IRBNet portal, under Forms and Templates.

Questions?

Please contact RCRS at

NNMC-ResearchQuestions@med.navy.mil,

301 295-2275.04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 20

Next steps are: SRP,IRB approval

These steps will be successful if you worked on the Research Protocol with help of the NNMC specialists (Step 5) 

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 21

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER !!!

Cue Card Reference: 

You may not begin your research until

you have received

an IRB Approval and Approval Letter

from the Commander, NNMC.

 04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 22

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) processes are very similar to NNMC, since both centers follow most of the same regulations.

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 23

The National Capital Region Military Medical Centers POCs:

National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) ,

Responsible Conduct of Research Service Sheila Gaines 301-295-6512

 

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC),

Department of Clinical Investigation Verna Parchment 202-782-7828

 

Malcolm Grow Medical Center (MGMC),

IRB Office Cheryl James 240-857-8216

 

The Uniformed Services University (USU),

Research Office Maggie Pickerel 301-295-0819

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 24

Questions?

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 25

II. NNMC Research ResourcesResponsible Conduct of Research Service (RCRS) – HUMAN SUBJECT PROTECTION

Stitt library

Research Protocol/Publication Help,

Education/Mentoring Resources,

ICEBERG;

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 26

HUMAN SUBJECT PROTECTION

Cue Card Reference:

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 27

RCRS

RCRS information

Bldg. 1, 4th floor, room 4394

RCRS Intranet https://nnmcintra/SiteDirectory/RCRS/default.aspx

RCRS Internet http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/professional/research/Responsible_Conduct/index.aspx

Questions: 301 295-2275

NNMC-ResearchQuestions@med.navy.mil

Head of the Clinical Investigation Department:

CAPT Jeffrey Lenert, MD

Jeffrey.Lenert@med.navy.mil

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 28

STITT LIBRARYCue Card Reference:

Bldg. 8, 1st floor, room 1390 (subject to change)

Stitt Intranet

https://nnmcintra/SiteDirectory/STITT/default.aspx

Stitt Internet

http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/professional/stitt_library

Questions: 301 295-1184

Stitt@med.navy.mil

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 29

STITT LIBRARY• Hours Main Number

Monday-Thursday   0700-1730Friday                    0700-1600 301-295-1184

• Staff EmailStitt@med.navy.mil

• After Hours Access is availableContact Ann Holman at Ann.Holman@med.navy.mil, 

or visit the Circulation Desk to sign up for an access account, and we'll contact you when your card is ready. 

Library Access Card

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 30

Research Protocol/Publication HelpLiterature Search:

Comprehensive DB specialist: Mr. Fredric Simms, MLS

James.Simms@med.navy.mil 301 295-0080

Scientific Writing :

Medical Editor: Brian Deevey, PhD

brian.deevey@med.navy.mil 301 319-8911

Statistical Data Analysis:

Mathematical Statistician: Francois O. Tuamokumo, PhD

francois.tuamokumo@med.navy.mil 301 319-8788

All specialists provide hands-on workshops.

Cue Card Reference:

 04/10/23 31

Education/Mentoring ResourcesResearch Course: 9 CME/CE, 2 days (0630-1100); 2010:

9/23-24, 11/1-2.

Hands-on Research Preparation Course: April-December, 2010, Th., noon-1400.

PubMed Search Course: October 15, 2010

Head of Research Education: Marina Borovok, PhD

marina.borovok@med.navy.mil 301 295-2876

Cue Card Reference:

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 32

Interdepartmental Collaborative BethesdaResearch Group

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 33

http://nnmcresearch.wikispaces.com/

NNMC Research Guide 3434

ICEBERG Mission

Help National Naval Medical Center

to become

a premier research organization

in the Department of Defense.

04/10/23

Questions?

04/10/23 NNMC Research Guide 35

NNMC Research Guide 3636

Thank You!

My Contact Information:Marina Borovok, PhDHead of Research EducationClinical Investigation DepartmentProfessional Education DirectorateNational Naval Medical Center8901 Wisconsin Avenue,Bldg. 1, Rm. 4372,Bethesda, MD 20889Phone: 301-295-2876Fax: 301-295-1490E-mail: marina.borovok@med.navy.mil

04/10/23