The Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP) is a report on a project that you have had significant involvement in designing, conducting of research and analysis of data. It enables you to gain experience in:

• research methods
• interpretation of research literature
• participation in research at some stage of your career
• developing quality improvement skills

ATRPs are not required to be specialty-specific but must be broadly relevant to your area of specialty. ‘Broadly relevant’ is defined as topics that can enhance, complement and inform your practice in the chosen specialty.

The ATRP, introduced to most trainees who commenced after 2017, addresses wide variations in purpose, type, quantity and assessment criteria across the RACP Training Programs. An ATRP submission provides evidence of the skills of:

• considering and defining research problems
• the systematic acquisition, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of data
• effective written communication

Review your training program requirements to confirm whether there are any additional research requirements beyond completing your ATRP.

The ATRP requirement must be undertaken and completed during your Advanced Training.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You can apply for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) exemption from the ATRP requirement if you can demonstrate that you’ve successfully completed an approved exemption. This can include:

• research doctoral degree, like MD or PhD
• Masters by research
• major project completed through a Masters by coursework

An ATRP completed through Masters by coursework must meet project type requirements and be submitted for marking according to the marking process.

Recognition of all project exemptions completed prior to entry into training are considered in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

Exemptions completed during your Advanced Training Program will be assessed for suitability against the ATRP guidelines and marking criteria.

Applying

You must apply for RPL within 3 months of commencing your first rotation in your Advanced Training Program.

Your Advanced Training Committee or Subcommittee, which reviews all RPL applications, will contact you about the outcome.

In the case where your PhD is in progress or incomplete, you can:

• submit your PhD upon completion for RPL consideration, or
• partially submit your PhD for RPL consideration if it meets one of the acceptable research project types, such as systematic review

Again, in this instance you need to apply within 3 months of commencing your rotation.

All RPL applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Exemption is granted only when the evidence presented fulfils the relevant ATRP requirements, separate to whether your research or coursework is relevant to your current specialty.

All supporting documentation relevant to your RPL application must be reviewed by project markers to allow project exemptions.

Deadlines

Australia:

• 15 September (trainees who commenced in February)
• 15 April (trainees who commenced in August)

Aotearoa New Zealand: 15 December.

It's recommended that you submit your research project by the annual submission date in your penultimate year to allow time for marking and/or resubmission if your project is initially marked as 'resubmit'.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)

Three research project types are accepted:

• research in:
  • human subjects, populations and communities and laboratory research
  • epidemiology
  • field research
  • medical education
• audit
• systematic review

Additional project formats may be considered provided they meet the Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP) guidelines and marking criteria. Trainees and supervisors seeking additional format approval need to provide justification as to how the project submission meets the criteria.

Research in human subjects, populations and communities or laboratory research

This project type also includes epidemiology, field research and medical education research.

Audit

An audit project aims to assess, evaluate and improve the quality of healthcare through the systematic review of practice. A specific component of practice to be reviewed is identified and local performance is assessed against specific criteria in relation to the gold standard.

An audit will identify substandard areas and develop recommendations for implementation, based on a succinct review of the literature. The audit should then be repeated to assess the success of the interventions.

If a repeated audit isn’t possible due to time constraints, then a plan for implementing, measuring and sustaining improvements must be presented.

Your audit should be of an area of interest to you. Look at opportunities to audit a novel project or program within your training setting.

The size of your audit is dependent on the topic and nature of the audit undertaken. The presentation of the audit must adhere to the standards for presentation of research, including the suggested word count.

You must demonstrate a clear understanding of the audit cycle, with evidence of how your work will lead to an improvement in clinical practice.

Systematic review

A systematic review is a method of critically appraising bodies of research studies with a high level of rigour. Systematic reviews are different to narrative reviews and expert commentaries because they use a well-defined protocol to ensure high coverage of all relevant information and can be replicated easily. A standard, published protocol, such as the PRISMA guidelines could be used.

For ATRPs, the systematic review should be conducted in an area of relevance of your practice.

Resources

RACP Online Learning Resource: Research Project

When electronically submitting your Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP), you’re to provide:

• an Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)
• Turnitin similarity report

The Turnitin submission and reporting process is outlined in the project cover sheet.

Email your research project submission to Research.Project@racp.edu.au

For most Advanced Training Programs, submission of your research project is due by your second last year of training to ensure enough time for marking the project and the opportunity to resubmit if required. Refer to the requirements for submission dates.

To request an extension, contact your specialty’s Education Officer.

If you don’t meet the prescribed deadline, it could delay your progression of training, or if you are near the end of training, it can delay your admission to Fellowship. It’s important to plan early and submit your project as soon as possible.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)
Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC)
Research Project checklist and planner (XLS)

Research projects are independently marked by 2 assessors using the Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC) common to all Advanced Training Programs.

In the case that the assessors cannot reach agreement, the research project is sent to a third assessor who will determine an outcome.

There are 3 grading outcomes that a project reviewer can make:

• Pass — meets expected standard, below expected standard in no more than 1 criterion
• Resubmit — 2 or more areas below the expected standard
• Fail — doesn’t meet any of the criteria for a research project

You’ll receive the outcome of your project within approximately 8 to 12 weeks of submission to the College. Delays in receiving project outcomes can happen between September and January, when the majority of project submissions are expected to occur.

If your project is marked as ‘resubmit’, you’ll have 2 more opportunities to resubmit the same project to assessors with revisions. If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome following 2 resubmissions, you can request for 2 new assessors to mark the project.

You can also request 2 new assessors to mark your project if it’s marked as a ‘fail’ in the first instance. Note: you will incur a fee for any additional marking.

In this stage of marking, there are only 2 marking outcomes new assessors can provide — ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. If your project is marked as a ‘fail’ by the 2 new assessors, you cannot resubmit again and will need to complete a substantially new project to meet your ATRP requirement.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC)

Your research project supervisor guides you with your project choice, method, data analysis and interpretation, and quality of written and oral presentation.

A project supervisor requires specific skills and experience and likely won't be your training rotation supervisor. To find an appropriate supervisor:

• explore the work of notable researchers in your hospital or network who may be able to help you find suitable potential project supervisors
• ask your training rotation supervisor for advice, relevant contacts or to direct you to another colleague who can
• attend research groups or events held at your hospital to get ideas, meet research supervisors and network with trainees

These steps are important if you’re at a small training site with limited research opportunities.

If you end up with a project supervisor and a training rotation supervisor, clear communication between both supervisors is important so that they’re both aware of your progress in your research project work.

A project supervisor should:

• familiarise themselves with the guidelines and marking standards
• recommend colleagues to assist with supervision, if necessary
• meet with you early in the period of supervision to clarify the research project goals and requirements
• consider and provide feedback regarding the merits of the proposed research project early in the process
• ensure that your planned research project is feasible and of a suitable standard
• review the feasibility of your developed project timeline
• clarify access to statistical support or other resources required
• monitor progress at regular intervals
• review the research project prior to submission, ensuring it’s of an acceptable standard
• support you to find a forum to present the research project
• approve the research project prior to submission to indicate that the proportion of work attributed you is correct

When selecting a research project supervisor, choose someone who:

• aligns with your goals
• is an expert in the area of your research
• is available for regular meetings or other correspondence
• is interested in providing mentorship and guidance on the project
• is interested in the topic of the proposal
• provides constructive criticism on completed work, such as abstracts and academic writing
• enjoys sharing knowledge, such as laboratory or technical skills, academic research and writing skills
• is experienced supervising research students

You should establish manageable expectations and practice open and clear communication with your research project supervisor from the beginning.

Resources

RACP Online Learning Resource: Research Project

Extra assistance

Members of the ANZSGM Scientific and Research Committee are available to provide advice to supervisors and trainees regarding Research Project design and execution.