New Investigators Scholarship oppurtunities

Student and New Investigator Scholarships

The ISOQOL Scholarship Program has been developed to increase the opportunity for members in the early stages of their careers and for members from developing countries to attend and present at the annual conference by providing funds to help defray the expenses associated with travel to the annual conference.

Travel scholarships provide access to the educational content of the annual conference, and also provide members the opportunity to meet with their peers and establish research contacts. Members who meet eligibility requirements can apply for both scholarships.

Eligible applicants must be current ISOQOL members, and either a current student or new investigator (within 5 years of completing terminal degree or medical residency.)

Application will be posted in February. 

Applications must be completed online by  Friday, 30 May, 2014.  Applications will be reviewed by the ISOQOL Scholarship Committee, led by Chair, Gloria Juarez, PhD (United States).  Decisions will be made in June. Scholarship funds will be provided following the conference.  Advance funds will not be available

Call for Reviewers - lets become more involved and be a part of the Scientific Program Committee!!

Call for Abstract Reviewers

Abstract reviewers serve a vital role in the scientific program planning by ensuring the quality of the educational content presented at the annual conference. Serving as an abstract reviewer provides an excellent way to support ISOQOL. Time commitment is low, but the impact is high.

ISOQOL is seeking abstract reviewers for the following presentation types:

Workshop Abstract Review:                7 February - 28 February, 2014
Symposium Abstract Review:             14 February - 7 March, 2014
Oral and Poster Abstract Review:       1 May - 23 May, 2014

Volunteers may choose which presentation types they would like to review - as many types as you would like. Abstract review is 100% electronic and all rankings will be submitted online.

Contact the ISOQOL Executive Office at info@isoqol.org for more information or to volunteer to serve.

NI SIG LinkedIN page

Dear New Investigators,

ISOQOL has provided us with a seperate LinkedIn page so we can get connected to our other fellow New Investigators.

The page's adress is

NI SIG LinkedIn Page

Katerina and I will post issues deemed relevant to New Investigators but we strongly encourage you to also post discussions, promotions, and general remarks!

So join the NI SIG LinkedIn page!!

Besgt wishes,

Katerina & Marc

TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ABSTRACT

There is an article on how to write a good abstract for the ISOQOL conference in Quality of Life Quartely - so go have a look!!

http://www.isoqol.org/membership/quality-of-life-quarterly

(Update 04.02.2014 - and here is the article)


As the deadline for the ISOQOL conference submissions is approaching, most of us are probably already thinking about our abstracts. The aim of the abstract is to describe your research in a limited number of words, while trying to create a clear picture of your design and results. Writing an abstract is one of the biggest challenges for researchers, especially for those in the earlier stages of their career.

The basic format of an abstract includes an Introduction, Methods, Results and Conclusions/Discussion section. The introduction covers the general topic, the key research question, and the gap in the literature this study aims to address. It should answer the question “why should I bother reading this abstract?”. When writing an abstract you want to build a story, where each sentence follows the previous one. Your introduction provides the “great idea”. 

The methods section is meant to explain how researchers answered their question. It is here that you describe your design and analyses. Unless the Methods of the study are complex or unusual, a few sentences can cover the basic information. 

The results section should mirror the methods section and clearly respond to the research question, as stated earlier. It is here that you present your main outcomes. Keep it light and don’t report too many statistical results. Make it attractive to readers.

Finally, in the Conclusions, results should be interpreted and implications should be discussed. Try to incorporate both the clinical and scientific value of your research. What do these findings mean and how are they going to change your research field? If written clearly, it will provide the answer to the question: “why should I bother reading this abstract?”.

Last, but definitely not least, the title. Especially for posters, the title is the first thing conference attendees read. Make it informative. If possible, try to incorporate the main results in you introduction, such as: “Design A shows that B increases C in patients with disease D”.

Below you will find a few tips that might prove useful when preparing an abstract. Good luck with the abstract submission process!
- First, review the official guidelines for the abstract (submission process).

- Go through your paper for which you are writing the abstract and identify the key sentences you want to use. This can be your first draft.

- In this first draft, don’t worry too much about word limit. Later on you can edit your abstract again
and again, going through every single sentence and word and questioning their necessity.

- Write small sentences and choose between the active or passive voice.

- You cannot write down everything, keep only the key information.

- Ask a colleague who is less familiar with your study to read the abstract.

- Always proofread for grammar/ punctuation. A sloppy abstract is usually perceived by reviewers as sloppy research.

- Authors whose native tongue is not English should have their abstract edited by a native English speaker before submitting.

- Have fun!

Best wishes,

Katerina and Marc.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE IN MIAMI 2013 – NEW INVESTIGATORS SIG EVENT

There is an article about the tricks of the trade meeting in Miami 2013 in Quality of Life Quartely - so go have a look!!

http://www.isoqol.org/membership/quality-of-life-quarterly

(Update 04.02.2014 - and here is the article)

Following its big success during the previous two annual conferences, the New Investigators event “Tricks of the Trade” was convened again this year, combined with the Mentor-Mentee reception. This year’s panel consisted of Prof. Donald Patrick, Prof. Karen Sousa, and the recipient of the 2012 Emerging Leader Award, Prof. Melanie Calvert, who were invited to talk about their own career development within QOL research; give advice to new investigators beginning to work in this field; and share their views about the future of QOL research.

Prof. Patrick told us that new investigators should start early on thinking about their career, and not be afraid to be flexible. It was often during times of change, and moving to a new place, that Prof. Patrick made his biggest advancements during his career. In addition, he urged new investigators to never stop writing and publish at least 4 manuscripts a year, of which at least two had to be good ones. A final remark was that to advance in this field, one should make sure to have a good spouse to get that much needed support. 

Next up was Prof. Karen Sousa, who indicated that doing research is like a journey. New investigators should actively think about their career trajectory and research path, and compare their current status with  future goals. To help facilitate these future goals, new investigators need to be confident, and not be afraid to talk to people and ask for advice. Furthermore, Prof. Sousa urged new investigators to practice their “elevator speech”, which should contain no more than 10 words. 

Last, but certainly not least, was the newly appointed professor of outcomes methodology, Melanie Calvert. Prof. Calvert told us that if constant meetings and different views hinder research progress, a new investigator should apply the JFDI method. In addition, new investigators need to make sure that they work with people they can learn from. New investigators should also learn to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Finally, when that hard work pays off, Prof. Calvert advises to make sure you actively celebrate that success with the team. 

Some major tricks that stood out were the following: First, all three professors agree that you have got to have a gimmick - you have to make sure that you are one of the very few that can do what you do. Second, find yourself a mentor who can help you with research and career issues. Lastly, make sure you don’t forget you own quality of life - research should first and foremost be fun!

Best wishes,

Katerina and Marc.

New Investigators SIG meeting in Miami

a reminder of a very interesting and productive morning meeting

vacancy

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/FULL PROFESSOR TENURE TRACK POSITION IN HEALTH SERVICES AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON     The University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) seeks candidates for a tenure track (or tenured) faculty appointment in the Department of Population Health Sciences (PHS) (www.pophealth.wisc.edu) with a focus on patient and/or population health measurement methodology.  Applicants should have demonstrable strength in one or more germane methodological areas related to development of patient and/or population health measures, such as psychometrics, survey methodology, preference measurement, patient-reported outcome or health-related quality of life instrument development, or a related field. This position requires a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline and the ability to lead a research program related to patient and/or population health measurement. Appointments at the rank of Associate or Full Professor require credentials for tenured faculty positions at UW-Madison. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to the research, educational and service missions of the Department, SMPH and the University. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in extramurally funded research both as principal investigator and in collaboration with other University faculty. He/she will also contribute to mentoring and teaching in the Population Health graduate program, including a course on health outcome measurement in the Population Health graduate program, as well as leading or participating in other lectures and/or courses as appropriate. The incumbent would join a thriving multidisciplinary department with a strong program of research and training in health services research, epidemiology, social and behavioral health sciences and public health. The successful candidate would also have the opportunity to join the broader community of researchers in the health and related sciences across the University. Many PHS faculty hold affiliate or joint appointments in research centers and other departments, such as the UW Population Health Institute, Center for Demography and Ecology, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Health Innovation Program, the LaFollette School of Public Affairs, and the Departments of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, Economics, and Industrial and Systems Engineering. Such appointments or other opportunities for joint or affiliate appointments will be considered for applicants as requested. In addition, extensive resources to support health outcomes research are available through the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (www.ictr.wisc.edu) supported by the UW’s Clinical & Translational Science Award.  Depending on background and interests, the candidate could participate in the clinical outpatient and/or inpatient services of UW Health. The successful candidate will also participate in professional, public and University service appropriate to the faculty rank. To apply, submit a letter of interest (referencing PVL 74845; for the complete job description, please see: http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/PVL74845) and CV with names and contact information for three references, to F. Javier Nieto, Chair, Department of Population Health Sciences, 610 Walnut Street, 707 WARF, Madison, WI  53726 or by email to fjnieto@wisc.edu.  Review of applications will begin November 1, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled.  For full consideration, complete applications must be received by December 1, 2013.  For more information see: www.pophealth.wisc.edu.  Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, information regarding the names of applicants must be released upon request.  Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality. UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply