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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a formal project supervisor?

Except in the case of a large trial group there is no specific requirement for a formal project supervisor however trainees are encouraged to organise a supervisor to act as a mentor.  This person may be someone who is heading up the research area you have chosen or the Module 11 supervisor for the rotation you are on. Your formal project supervisor is the individual who will provide guidance and oversight of the formal project.

Where do I register my formal project?

You can download the Formal Project Registration Form from the ANZCA website submit the completed original to your local regional or national office. If you are working in a non ANZCA-accredited region you can submit your formal project to your local office.

If you complete your formal project while working interstate you may submit it to the nearest regional or national office.

You should submit your completed project to the regional or national office to which you submit your registration form.

Can I get examples of approved formal project titles?

Lists of completed formal projects can be found in the July edition of the ANZCA Bulletin in the "Regional Committee Annual Report" section

What is the minimum length of the formal project report?

The minimum length is 1500 words (excluding references).

How long do I have to complete the formal project?

There is no time restriction of the completion of the formal project. It is advisable that it is completed and submitted well before completion of approved training to avoid delays in awarding the Diploma of FANZCA.

Once the complete project is submitted to the regional or national office how long will it take before I get notification of approval?

The time taken for approval will vary from region to region. Each formal project needs to be assessed by two individual formal project reviewers. The time taken for this to occur depends on their availability and the number of projects in the system.

What is the best time to commence and complete the formal project?

It may be started at any time though trainees may get more out of commencing the formal project during advanced training.


If I don't get prospective approval, can I still get it approved later?

Prior to commencing project work, each trainee should register the project, and seek approval and advice from, his or her regional or national formal project officer via the regional or national office. If you have commenced your formal project without registering it, please contact your local regional or national office for advice.


Can more than one trainee collaborate on the same local project and both get it approved as their formal project?

This is possible.

"Where the trainee has collaborated with others to complete the formal project, a supervisor and/or co-author must submit a signed statement that the trainee conducted a major part of the project or, in the case of a large trial, that the trainee made a significant contribution (see TE11 4.2.4)".

Contribution of trainee

Irrespective of the number of participants in a project, each trainee must clearly demonstrate how they individually met the objectives of the formal project as outlined in College professional document TE11 Policy on the Formal Project (2009). It is possible for more than one trainee to work on a project.  For this to occur the project would need to be of a reasonable size and the trainees involved would each be required to address individual research questions relating to the general topic.

 

For example, the project topic could be X.  Trainee 1 could address Question A relating to X.  Trainee 2 could address Question B relating to X, and so on. The two projects may refer to each other but they are separate projects in their own right with each trainee having fulfilled the requirements of the formal project individually and each trainee is the major contributor to their own project.


Major contribution (single trainee)

The formal project is the submitted material of the trainee’s work.  A project must include a written report of at least 1500 words (excluding references) on the work undertaken. This will include a critical review and an evidence-based approach to the specific topic.  The trainee should show that they have assessed background data relating to the project and objectively weighed up the validity of relevant information obtained from the scientific literature and other sources.  The project must be conducted in major part by the trainee.

With a research project (3.2.4) this may be a self-contained project conducted mainly by the trainee or be a large trial involving multiple investigators to which the trainee contributes.


Major contribution (more than one trainee), multi-centred trial/large trial/collaborative effort

Subsection 3.2.4 "When the trainee participates in a large trial, a log book of involvement should be presented which has been signed off by the trainee’s supervisor."

Subsection 4.2.4 "Where the trainee has collaborated with others to complete the formal project, a supervisor and/or co-author must submit a signed statement that the trainee conducted a major part of the project or, in the case of a large trial, that the trainee made a significant contribution (see 3.2.4)."

Subsection 5.5.3 "The trainee conducted a major part of the project or adequate involvement in a large trial has been documented (see also 3.2.4 and 4.2.4)."


How do I ensure sufficient work is done for the project to be approved?

The process of registering projects prior to commencement should provide trainees with sufficient feedback to enable them to produce an adequate formal project.

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