This course is a full-time, intensive, six-week internship involving both didactic seminars and "hands-on" experience. Specifically, interns participate in seven primary activities:

(1) Seminar in Applied Clinical Research (2 hours per week)

(2) Seminar in Professional Development (1 hours per week)

(3) Follow-up individual meeting with the Teaching Assistant (45 minutes per week)

(4) Clinical research internship (20-25 hours per week)

(5) Meeting with Research Mentor (45 minutes per week)

(6) Clinical Psychology Presentations (1 hour per week)

(7) Elective Class Meeting (1 hour per week)

Course goals. This course places an emphasis on the integration of theory and research practice; a primary goal is to help interns to see how theory is applied to the conduct of actual clinical research. An ancillary goal is to expose interns to the kinds of experiences that will enable them to assess whether their interests are congruent with a career in the helping professions. And, if so, to help them to identify ways in which they might most effectively pursue their career objectives.

The "Applied Clinical Research" seminar provides an opportunity for interns to relate didactic, theoretical material to their internship experience. A primary goal of this seminar is to familiarize the interns with the substantive and methodological issues encountered in the conduct of research in the clinical setting. Also, issues relevant to clinical practice in the clinical research setting are examined (e.g., confidentiality, ensuring quality of patient care etc.).

The "Professional Development" seminar examines career options in the helping professions. Interns are assisted in identifying their talents and interests and in developing strategies for pursuing them effectively.

Interns will meet with the Teaching Assistant once a week to discuss their goals for the course, and to develop plans to achieve those goals. In addition, interns will receive feedback on their performance and assistance with seminar assignments.

In addition to the didactic component of the course, each Carnegie Mellon clinical research intern is assigned an internship under the supervision of a Ph.D. or M.D. Although each internship varies in terms of the specific content and focus, interns are typically involved in many phases of ongoing research, some of which may include: conducting literature searches, reviewing patient interviews, assisting in the development of questionnaires, helping to devise coding systems and participating in all phases of data collection, collation and management.

(1) Developing a firm grasp and direct knowledge of the real life application of the principles of research design and methodology,

(2) Acquiring the skills with which to work effectively with more experienced research professionals,

(3) Developing a pragmatic view of research; specifically, to understand the legitimate methodological compromises that are made in the clinical setting,

(4) Acquiring an understanding of the ethical considerations inherent in the conduct of clinical research,

(5) Developing preliminary listening skills,

(6) Developing a more comprehensive understanding of career options in the helping professions,

(7) Developing a paradigm for gathering information about and pursuing opportunities for professional development, and,

(8) Strengthening the perception of oneself as a professional.

(1) Be able to describe in an articulate fashion:

(a) the literature relevant to the study on which they have been working,

(b) the rationale of the study on which they have been working,

(c) the design of the study on which they have been working, and,

(d) the ethical considerations relevant to the study on which they have been working.

(2) Have a very preliminary exposure to the need for and purpose of skills in empathic listening.

(3) Know how to seek out additional research and clinical experiences.

(4) Have a vita or resume with which to pursue research positions.

(5) Have a mock draft of an application essay for clinical psychology graduate school or medical school.

(6) Have a follow-up plan as to how they will apply the information acquired this summer in their pursuit of their professional goals.

(7) Have an increased sophistication about what a clinical psychologist is and what a clinical psychologist does.

(8) Have a better understanding of their own professional strengths.

Written Assignments. Each week, written assignments in the areas of clinical research and professional development will be due. All assignments must be typed and proofread prior to class. Most assignments will have a specified word or page limit; make sure your assignments adhere to these guidelines.

Research Presentations. In class each week, students will present a brief talk on their research placement. Presentations will be rehearsed with an assigned partner before Wednesdayís class. Specific guidelines on the content of presentations will be provided. All presentations must be within the time limit specified.

Readings. Readings will vary from placement to placement. Seminar readings will be photocopied and distributed throughout the term.

Class Participation and Attendance. Class participation provides an opportunity for interns to apply knowledge derived from their placements, readings, assignments and exercises. Because of the nature of this course, both promptness and attendance are required both in class and on placements. Both promptness and attendance will be rewarded. In the rare event an intern has a medical emergency and is unable to attend class and/or placement, the intern will obtain a written medical excuse from a physician.

Attendance at all classes and T.A. meetings 3 %

Being on time for all classes and T.A. meetings 3 %

Weekly presentations 8 %

Rehearsing presentations with partner 5 %

Written research assignments 6 %

Written career assignments 6 %

Written and oral clinical/medical assignments 6 %

Class participation 5 %

Overall quality of course participation 8 %

Research Internship Placement: 50 %

Deriving Full Benefit from your Research Placement Experience

Establishing a Working Relationship with a Research Mentor

Professional Development: