SOM 2550 - Student Research Mentorship

Authorizing Body:

OUWB Office of Research

Date Issued:

September 30, 2026

Last Update:

September 30, 2026

Last Review:

September 30, 2026

Rationale:

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) is proud of the many research contributions made by our students. The medical curriculum at OUWB was built on the principle that understanding both research methodologies  and research  conduct are important to our students, their careers, and their future patients. We remain strongly committed to that ideal. To better track and support student research activities, the following policy describes OUWB expectations and professional standards.

Scope and Applicability:

OUWB students engaged in Embark and/or extracurricular research with faculty and colleagues at OUWB, Oakland University (OU), Corewell Health (CH), or other institutions.  

Standard Practice Guideline:

1. Embark projects – Embark projects must adhere to all guidelines and expectations of the Embark program.
2. Extracurricular (non-Embark) research – All extracurricular research and scholarly projects (including case reports, commentaries, letters, etc.) conducted during a student’s medical school experience at OUWB, OU, CH, or other institutions must be registered using the OUWB Student Extracurricular Research Project Reporting Form prior to commencing work on the project.
   1. OUWB affiliated extracurricular (non-Embark) research and scholarly projects. In addition to being registered on the OUWB Student Extracurricular Research Project Reporting Form:
      • These extracurricular projects must be mentored or co-mentored by an OUWB faculty member who is responsible for project oversight, integrity, and compliance.
      • All presentations and publications resulting from these extracurricular projects must be approved by an OUWB faculty mentor or co-mentor. A mentor or co-mentor must also be a co-author on these presentations and publications.
   2. Independent research and scholarly projects. Students may conduct other projects and publish independently or with colleagues at other institutions. These projects must still be reported using the online reporting form referenced above. However:
      • • Neither OUWB nor its departments can be listed as institutional affiliations on these publications and presentations unless an OUWB faculty member is involved as a mentor or co-mentor and as a co-author.
        • Without OUWB faculty involvement as co-author, studies are not considered “OUWB Research”, and OUWB resources and services cannot be used to support the project or dissemination of results, including statistical consultation, poster printing, and travel or publication funding.
3. Authorship – All authors included in research or scholarly manuscripts must meet the criteria listed in the OUWB Authorship Policy.

Procedures:

1. This policy will be communicated to all faculty and students by the Dean’s Office.
2. The Embark Directors, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, and Director of Research Training will monitor OUWB students’ adherence to this policy. Deviations from the policy may result in submission of a Professionalism Feedback Form (PFF) as well as retraction of the presentation and/or publication.

Definitions:

OUWB defines research as systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer questions, test hypotheses, meet objectives, and/or solve problems.

Related Policies and Forms:

Authorship
OUWB Student Extracurricular Research Project Reporting Form

Appendix:

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