Once the resident has identified a research idea, a comprehensive review of the existing evidence should be completed to develop a thorough understanding of the topic.  A review of the literature can ensure that the investigators do not duplicate questions that have been answered already, and it can provide insights into important unanswered questions related to the topic area. 

For further discussion of the importance of the evidence review, see Dr. Kelly Smith’s article Building Upon Existing Evidence to Shape Future Research Endeavors. 


Also see:

• Establishing Timelines
• Developing the Research Question, Part I
• Developing the Reseach Question, Part II
• Efficacy vs. Effectiveness
• Writing Specific Aims
• Hypothesis Statements
• Data Sources
• Study Design
• Survey Research
• Gaining Institutional Support
• Biostatistics
• Human Subjects Protections, Part I
• Human Subjects Protections, Part II
• Data Collection, Display and Manipulation
• Grant Submissions, Part I
• Grant Submissions, Part II
• Grant Submissions, Part III 
• Research Presentations
• Submitting a Manuscript