Hypothesis and Specific Aims The Importance of Clarity

1. American Association for Thoracic Surgery Grant Writing Workshop Bethesda MD March 8, 2013 Hypothesis and Specific AimsThe Importance of Clarity Y. Joseph Woo, M.D. Professor of Surgery Director of Cardiac Transplantation and VAD Surgery Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery Division of Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Surgery University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA

2. Challenge

3. Topics NIH Instructions Abstract or Executive Summary Five NIH Criteria Hypotheses Specific Aims Sequence/Formatting Avoid

4. NIH Instructions

5. Abstract Abstract Grading for Society Meetings NIH Grant Abstract ≠ Manuscript Abstract Specific Aims Page = Manuscript Abstract Executive Summary If they don’t understand this, They will not be excited to read

6. Points Significance √ √ Investigator√ Innovation √ √ √ Approach √ √ √ Environment √

7. First Impression Job interview ------ Two Minute Preview Movie Trailer Reality—Reviewer Has Incredible Time Constraints

8. Hypotheses “Hypothesis-Driven Research” Clearly Stated, Concise, Scientifically Sound Questions Demonstrate that this is not a fishing expedition or that you are using a shotgun approach

9. One-Two Punch Ask a Question Propose a Method to Answer the Question

10. Audience Administrators Study Section Scientists Administrators

11. Number of Aims 1 Year Grant (Student) 1 Aim 2 Year Grant (Fellowship, Foundation) 2 Aims 4-5 Year Grant (K, R) 3 Aims

12. Sub-Hypotheses and Sub-Aims Avoid Excessive Subdivisions One Level is Reasonable, more are unwieldy Sub-Aims are probably more logical Problem 1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Serves as Scientific Table of Contents for Body of the Grant

13. Sequence Scientifically Logical Chronologic Model System Size

14. Formatting Use all forms of formatting possible in an elegant manner Bold Italics Underline Capitals Font Face Font Size Avoid Roman Numerals and Lower Case Letters

15. Symmetry Human Eye Responds to Symmetry Asymmetry is immediately noticeable Facial examples Avoid Verbal Repetition Scientific Symmetry Visual Symmetry

16. Personalizing Develop relationship/bond with reader An Identity Use “We” sparingly Never use “I”

18. Embed

19. Excessive Methodolgy Avoid invoking too many tools

20. Avoid Over-Emphasis on New Technology Gimmicks

21. Old Does Not Equal Bad Historical Value Time Tested Methods Proven Reliable

22. Common Does Not Equal Bad Logo Recognition Pattern Recognition Methodology Recognition Familiarity Variety

23. Conditionality Avoid Excessive Interdependence of Aims Avoid Aim 2 is conditional upon completion of Aim 1

24. Proofreading Obviously entire grant Quadruple Effort on Aims Page Do Not Rely on MS Word Thesaurus.com Never use the word “Streamline”

25. Summary • Abstract or Executive Summary • Five NIH Criteria • Hypotheses • Specific Aims • Sequence/Formatting • Avoid

26. Acknowledgements Pavan Atluri MD Mark F. Berry, MD Vasant Jayasankar, MD Astrid Moise, MD Steven Kolakowski, MD Corinna M. Panlilio BA Vivian M. Hsu BA George P. Liao MB Jeffrey E. Cohen BA Erik E. Suarez MD Maximilian J. Smith Ryan McCormick BS Carinne Laporte BS John Frederick, MD Ray Fitzpatrick, MD Rebecca Levit MD Eliott Nacke BS Kevin Southerland BS Eliott Kozin BS William Hiessinger MD Todd Grand, BS Omar Fisher, BS H. Lee Sweeney PhD Timothy J Gardner, MD Clinical CT Surgery Fellows • Grant Support: • NIH R01 HL089315 (YJW) • NIH TSFRE K08 HL072812 (YJW) • AHA 0465519U (YJW) • AHA 0665441U (YJW) • NIH F32 HL79769-01 (PA) • ISHLT Research Fellowship (JRF) • ACS Research Fellowship (JRF) Laboratory:

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