Before writing research protocol, you will need to conduct a literature review to identify any existing knowledge related to your study topic.
The literature review gives you a chance to:
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and scholarly context
- Develop a theoretical framework and/or appropriate methodology for your research
- Position yourself in relation to other researchers and theorists
- Show how your research addresses a gap
Follow these steps when writing a literature review:
Find relevant publications (such as books and journal articles).
Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables you're interested in, and list any synonyms and related terms.
Critically analyze those publications.
- Evaluate sources: Make sure the sources you use are credible and peer-reviewed. As a rule, any source older than 3 years should not be considered when developing your question.
- Identify themes, debates and gaps: What is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be addressed?
- Outline the structure: The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. You may need to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches.
Explain your conclusions.
Review the steps involved in the process, including consent forms and initial submissions.
- Funding for medical student research comes through the Office of Medical Student Research and the Office of Research, and additional named awards are offered through individual departments and specialties. Current opportunities are listed below, and external funding is tracked in the MSR External Research Opportunities sheet linked in Canvas. Questions about eligibility or timing should go to evmsmsr@odu.edu.
- MSR Travel Grant
The Travel Grant reimburses travel costs for students presenting at a conference. Applications are scored by the Travel Award Committee on a 25-point rubric covering four domains, and cycles run on a fixed calendar rather than rolling submission.
- EVMS Community Faculty Designated Student/Resident/Fellow Research Travel Award
Up to eight awards of $1,500 are available each year to trainees presenting research at a regional, national, or international conference, and applicants must have an accepted abstract and a submission quality manuscript related to that research. Students must submit an Intent to Travel Form to the Office of Research (vhs-evmsresearch@odu.edu) before traveling. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be completed within two months of the travel and within the same fiscal year.
- EVMS Community Faculty Designated Student/Resident/Fellow Research Publication Award
Up to ten awards of $500 are available each year to reimburse fees incurred while publishing, including submission fees, for trainees who have submitted a manuscript to a reputable academic journal. Students must submit an Intent to Publish Form to the Office of Research (vhs-evmsresearch@odu.edu) before applying. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be received no later than two months after the publication fees have been paid.
- Summer Scholars Program
Summer Scholars is a nine-week mentored summer research experience for M1 students, with a $3,000 stipend, weekly lectures, presentation coaching, and a closing poster symposium. Applications open in the fall. Additional information can be found here.
- Dr. Christopher J. Hogan Orthopedic Award
The Hogan Award supports expenses that advance a student's career in orthopedics, including conference travel, manuscript fees, research costs, away rotations, and educational modules. Applications are due Winter 2027.
- FUTURES in Research Graduate Award
The FUTURES Award funds a mentored summer research project, with two stipends of $2,500 each plus $1,000 in travel support. The stipend is intended to support full-time research involvement across the summer months. Applications are due Winter 2027.
- Plastic Surgery Summer Award
Up to two awards of $1,000 are available to students with a demonstrated interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The award is designed to give students early research exposure and faculty mentorship in the specialty.
Before writing research protocol, you will need to conduct a literature review to identify any existing knowledge related to your study topic.
The literature review gives you a chance to:
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and scholarly context
- Develop a theoretical framework and/or appropriate methodology for your research
- Position yourself in relation to other researchers and theorists
- Show how your research addresses a gap
Follow these steps when writing a literature review:
Find relevant publications (such as books and journal articles).
Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables you're interested in, and list any synonyms and related terms.
Critically analyze those publications.
- Evaluate sources: Make sure the sources you use are credible and peer-reviewed. As a rule, any source older than 3 years should not be considered when developing your question.
- Identify themes, debates and gaps: What is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be addressed?
- Outline the structure: The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. You may need to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches.
Explain your conclusions.
Review the steps involved in the process, including consent forms and initial submissions.
- Funding for medical student research comes through the Office of Medical Student Research and the Office of Research, and additional named awards are offered through individual departments and specialties. Current opportunities are listed below, and external funding is tracked in the MSR External Research Opportunities sheet linked in Canvas. Questions about eligibility or timing should go to evmsmsr@odu.edu.
- MSR Travel Grant
The Travel Grant reimburses travel costs for students presenting at a conference. Applications are scored by the Travel Award Committee on a 25-point rubric covering four domains, and cycles run on a fixed calendar rather than rolling submission.
- EVMS Community Faculty Designated Student/Resident/Fellow Research Travel Award
Up to eight awards of $1,500 are available each year to trainees presenting research at a regional, national, or international conference, and applicants must have an accepted abstract and a submission quality manuscript related to that research. Students must submit an Intent to Travel Form to the Office of Research (vhs-evmsresearch@odu.edu) before traveling. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be completed within two months of the travel and within the same fiscal year.
- EVMS Community Faculty Designated Student/Resident/Fellow Research Publication Award
Up to ten awards of $500 are available each year to reimburse fees incurred while publishing, including submission fees, for trainees who have submitted a manuscript to a reputable academic journal. Students must submit an Intent to Publish Form to the Office of Research (vhs-evmsresearch@odu.edu) before applying. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be received no later than two months after the publication fees have been paid.
- Summer Scholars Program
Summer Scholars is a nine-week mentored summer research experience for M1 students, with a $3,000 stipend, weekly lectures, presentation coaching, and a closing poster symposium. Applications open in the fall. Additional information can be found here.
- Dr. Christopher J. Hogan Orthopedic Award
The Hogan Award supports expenses that advance a student's career in orthopedics, including conference travel, manuscript fees, research costs, away rotations, and educational modules. Applications are due Winter 2027.
- FUTURES in Research Graduate Award
The FUTURES Award funds a mentored summer research project, with two stipends of $2,500 each plus $1,000 in travel support. The stipend is intended to support full-time research involvement across the summer months. Applications are due Winter 2027.
- Plastic Surgery Summer Award
Up to two awards of $1,000 are available to students with a demonstrated interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The award is designed to give students early research exposure and faculty mentorship in the specialty.
