Services for Researchers

These services are provided by the Center for Research Development and Scholarship (CRDS). Should you need assistance in any of these areas, contact information for the team member who can assist is included.

Assistance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications

Identify IRB requirements for proposal should it be funded
Proofread and trouble shoot IRB applications
Monitor IRB requirements to avoid delays in project start-up
Provide assistance with continuing review/closure of IRB approved projects

Contact: Brenda Cornett Compton

Brown bags and seminars on topics of interest
Coordinate and schedule invited speakers for brown bags and seminars. Please contact Brenda Cornett Compton with names of potential speakers and/or topics you would like to have covered.

Circulation of funding opportunities and bulletins
about research policy
Electronic distribution and postings of funding opportunities and research policy updates.

Contact: Nancy Kidd

Coordination of the postdoctoral fellowship program
The Postdoctoral Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing provides fellows with a unique opportunity to advance their research careers. If you are interested in Vanderbilt’s program, please contact Brenda Cornett Compton and visit the Postdoctoral Program website

Obtain hands-on involvement in research projects
Participate in on-going research projects
Develop new data for research
Participate in research conferences
Write and submit grant applications

Database development and management
Designing and building a data management device for your study ensure good data collection! Consultation on database design and management will be one of the areas covered in your initial project meeting with CRDS Director Dr. Ann Minnick and the CRDS staff. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Donaghey.

Identify a database or data collection device based on the needs of your project (SPSS, Access, Excel)
Design and/or build a database
Assist with downloads or conversion of existing data sets

Faculty travel associated with research development
All travel requests for research-related funds are processed through the office of the Senior Associate Dean for Research as follows:

Send a brief email to Dr. Ann Minnick and copy her administrative associate, Sharon Stinson, detailing why you are requesting research funds. Please include your best estimate as to the total cost of the trip; what amount, if any, a grant will cover; reason for trip (type of presentation, networking/recruiting, professional development, etc.). Meals are not covered unless specifically approved by the Senior Associate Dean.
Upon receiving approval for travel and the notification of the amount of travel support, please complete and sign the Authorization for Official Travel (green form) and Vanderbilt School of Nursing Travel Itinerary (white form). These forms are available in the office of the Senior Associate Dean’s administrative associate and from your support staff. Please include a copy of the conference information. Complete the registration form. Please indicate your attendance at any extra workshops or events along with your preferred flight departure/return dates and times.
Once travel is completed you have ten (10) days to submit your travel expense report. Submit original receipts only. If you take anyone to dinner, you must list the name(s) of your guest and reason for the dinner. The travel policy restricts payment for meals to the discretion of your Senior Associate Dean.

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Stinson

Grant preparation and support
Submitting a proposal is an investment in a scholar’s development and advancement. In today’s electronic world, having a compelling narrative is just part of the process; you also must be able to navigate the Vanderbilt and funding agency systems. Each submission begins with an initial meeting with Dr. Minnick and her grants team.

Review of guidelines to ensure compliance
Development of a grant budget and budget justification
Assistance with narrative and biosketches as needed
Assistance and submission coordination with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) Office of Grants Management

Upon notification of award, the investigator should contact Dianne Eberhard, Grants Manager who will ensure fiscal oversight and compliance with VUMC and funding agency guidelines.

Coordination of award allocation with the VUMC Finance Department
Monthly ledger reconciliation and periodic financial reports
Assistance with financial close-out at project end

For more information, please see the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Grants Manual.

Instrument development
How will you collect and measure the information you need? Instrument development is one of the areas covered in your initial project meeting with Dr. Minnick and the CRDS staff. If you have questions, please contact Beth Donaghey.

Provide survey design consultation
Create forms for data capture

Literature searches
Comprehensive literature searches are an important part of designing a project, writing a proposal or writing results of a project for publication. If you have questions, please contact Beth Donaghey.

Conduct literature searches to support proposal development
Provide endnote library of references if needed
Provide annotated bibliography

Manuscript preparation
A manuscript that is important enough to write deserves thoughtful preparation.

Provide a mentor to help you with
– Organization/action plan for writing
– Structure
Help you with identifying specific guidelines
Provide assistance in proofreading and formatting
Provide assistance with peer-review and editing
Provide assistance in submission to journals

Contact: Brenda Cornett Compton

Paper and poster preparation
Have you been asked to present at a conference? Professional talks can be stressful, so CRDS is available to help with paper and poster preparation. Consider using a poster as an effective visual communication tool. If you need assistance, please contact Brenda Cornett Compton.

Help create a poster-production checklist
Direct you to helpful websites
Help you choose a presentation medium (PowerPoint, overhead)
Coordinate media services
Coordinate peer-review

Peer reviews and critiques
Whether you are doing a poster presentation, an oral presentation, or writing a manuscript you will submit for publication, peer review is essential for a successful project.

Help with publication readiness
- Format
- Style
- Proofreading
Help in finding the appropriate reviewer
Facilitate a “practice” session
Coordinate media services

Contact: Brenda Cornett Compton

Recognition of scholarly achievements
Faculty are recognized for their scholarly achievements by submitting their citations, grant award notifications and appointments to Sharon Stinson for posting in the Center’s display case located on the 4th floor of Godchaux Hall.

An award is given annually to first-time published authors and authors of clinical publications most likely to influence care across America. These authors are also invited to a celebratory lunch with Dean Conway-Welch. These lunches are scheduled throughout the year.

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Stinson

Research assistants (RAs)
How much help will you need during your project? What kinds of skills will be the best fit for your needs? Do you need long-term help or a quick push to finish some aspect of your work? Research staffing is one of the areas covered in your initial project meeting with Dr. Minnick and the CRDS staff. If you have questions, please contact Beth Donaghey.

Consultation during proposal development to determine RA needs
Assistance with RA hiring
Scheduling of available staff to support research activities

Research supply purchase and procurement
All grant related purchases for supplies, equipment or lab supplies should be handled by the Principal Investigator’s support person. If that person is unavailable, please contact Brenda Cornett Compton.

Statistical consultation
Planning data analysis needs for a project will be one of the areas covered in the initial meeting with Dr. Minnick and the CRDS team. If you have questions, please contact Beth Donaghey.

Consultation for data analysis for an ongoing project can be arranged by contacting Mary Dietrich.
Quick data analysis services for proposals or applications can be arranged by contacting Beth Donaghey.