Research design conferences: guidelines for investigators and graduate students

Meticulous preplanning will lead to a beneficial design conference and a concise successful research proposal. Selection of the best experts for the conference, organization, and a flexible conference schedule can create a profusion of ideas, enhance discussion, and allow weak areas in the proposal to be identified and strengthened. A design conference can be a delightfully rewarding strategy for investigators, research teams, or graduate students. A successful conference will be accomplished if you adhere to the following steps: 1. Have at least two design conferences while you are preparing your research proposal--more if you feel that you need them. 2. Identify and invite the best experts possible from inside and outside your institution to discuss your questions. 3. Prepare a draft of your proposal as well as a list of your questions and give these to your experts at least 1 week in advance so they can prepare for the design conference. 4. Tape-record the discussion at the design conference along with taking written notes. 5. After the conference, review the tapes and notes and revise the proposal accordingly.