RUSPH Fieldwork Handbook

FIELDWORK HANDBOOK
FOR STUDENTS
New Brunswick Campus

Newark Campus
Last Updated February 2016
Please note:
This handbook covers general Fieldwork guidelines that are similar across all departments. Each
department also has separate guidelines that are more specific. Please consult with your department
faculty and the Graduate Practicum Director about department specific guidelines. Information in this
handbook is subject to change.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Rutgers School of Public Health Mission ...................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
Overview of Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II ....................................................................................... 3
Fieldwork I Continuation ............................................................................................................... 4
Fieldwork II Continuation .............................................................................................................. 4
Fieldwork III Continuation ............................................................................................................. 4
Eligibility to Register for Fieldwork ................................................................................................ 4
Dual Department Students ............................................................................................................ 5
Fieldwork Registration .................................................................................................................. 5
Choosing a Fieldwork Project and Site ......................................................................................... 5
Fieldwork Seminars Sessions ....................................................................................................... 5
Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) .................... 5
Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) Human Subjects Protections On-line Training ............. 6
Refresher Requirements for CITI .................................................................................................. 6
Fieldwork and the IRB................................................................................................................... 7
Continuing with Research after Graduation................................................................................... 8
External IRB Agency Review ........................................................................................................ 8
Student Responsibilities................................................................................................................ 8
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor Responsibilities.................................................................................... 9
Site Preceptor Responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 10
Final Fieldwork Report .................................................................................................................. 10
Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentations ................................................................................... 11
Self-Assessment of Competencies ............................................................................................... 11
Graduate Practicum Director Contact Information ......................................................................... 12
APPENDICES
Page
APPENDIX A: Fieldwork Contract and Proposal Form with Department Competencies ............. 13
Appendix A-1: Academic Competencies ............................................................. 18
APPENDIX B: Checklist for Required Fieldwork Deliverables .................................................... 21
APPENDIX C: Recommended Outline for the Final Fieldwork Project Report

• Newark Campus ........................................................................................... 22
• New Brunswick Campus ............................................................................... 25
APPENDIX D: Recommended Abstract Submission Format ...................................................... 26
APPENDIX E: Institutional Review Board Protocol Submission Policies and Contact

Information: General IRB Question and Answers ................................................ 27
APPENDIX F: Final Fieldwork Report/Dean’s Review Deadlines and Due Dates

• Newark Campus ........................................................................................... 29
• New Brunswick Campus ............................................................................... 30
APPENDIX G: Additional Resources for Written Report and Presentations ................................ 31
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Rutgers School of Public Health Mission
The Rutgers School of Public Health seeks to improve health and prevent disease in diverse
populations in New Jersey and around the world through educating students to become well-qualified
and effective public health leaders, researchers and practitioners; conducting research to advance
public health science and policies; and providing service programs that promote population and
individual health.
Introduction
Fieldwork is a carefully planned and supervised learning experience. The Fieldwork experience
connects the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom with the pragmatic application of the
practice of public health. It is a required component of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
Fieldwork can provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, develop and improve communication
skills, project management skills and problem solving skills using public health methods, principles and
techniques. Moreover, it promotes hands-on public health practice, the exploration of career options
and generates contacts with other public health professionals.
The purpose of Fieldwork is to provide the student with an opportunity to:

• Carry out a project representative of expected work in the field;
• Demonstrate competence in research/practice/ evaluation relevant to the student's field;
• Gain exposure to an organization's environment, culture and purposes;
• Develop professional judgment and contacts; and
• Help clarify career goals.
The Fieldwork requirement supports the development of skills in basic public health concepts and
assists in the demonstration of the application of these concepts through practice experience that is
relevant to the students’ areas of concentration and reflects understanding of the academic principles
studied in class.
Fieldwork is a public health practice experience completed outside of one's job responsibilities. It is
preferred that Fieldwork be conducted outside of one’s work; however, students may, with approval
from their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, conduct their Fieldwork projects where they are employed.
Students may not do a Fieldwork project that is part of their usual job title/responsibilities, or within
their routine work setting, or under the direction of their current supervisor.
Overview of Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II

Fieldwork is comprised of six total credits and consists of two parts: Fieldwork I (FDWC I), a one-credit
planning phase, and Fieldwork II (FDWC II), a five-credit implementation phase. Students must first
register for FDWC I and when they have successfully completed this planning stage they may register
for FDWC II. Students may register for as many credits of FDWC II as they choose each semester (1 –
5 credits) until they effectively complete the 5 required credits of FDWC II. Both FDWC I and II are
graded through the Pass/Fail system.
Fieldwork is a minimum of 400-hours and can be completed over 2 or more semesters. Fieldwork
students are supported and supervised at all stages by the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, Site Preceptor
and the Graduate Practicum Director. There are clearly stated degree guidelines as well as
department-specific guidelines that detail roles, responsibilities and expectations for students, faculty,
Site Preceptors and the Graduate Practicum Director.
The student will complete a specified project or set of assigned duties agreed upon by the Fieldwork
Faculty Advisor, Site Preceptor, Graduate Practicum Director and the student. The student’s project
and responsibilities are outlined and described in the Fieldwork contract and proposal form, which must
be approved by the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, then signed by all parties and submitted to the Graduate
Practicum Director before beginning FDWC II.
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Fieldwork I Continuation
A student will be required to register for Fieldwork I continuation only if the meet the following criteria:
• registered for Fieldwork I (1 credit) during the previous semester;
• did not complete/submit all deliverables; and
• have no other courses remaining in the degree.
This non-credit course is $150.00, plus all other applicable fees. Students must register for this course,
every semester, until they have completed the requirements for Fieldwork I and are eligible to register
for Fieldwork II.
Fieldwork II Continuation
When a student has registered for Fieldwork I (1 credit) and Fieldwork II (all 5 credits) and has not
finished the project, the student must register for Fieldwork II Continuation. This takes into account
unanticipated delays that may occur during Fieldwork. Fieldwork II Continuation is a non-credit course
and carries a modest fee of $35.
Students are permitted to register for Fieldwork II Continuation only once.
Fieldwork III Continuation

However, if a student requires additional time after Fieldwork II Continuation, the student must enroll in
Fieldwork III Continuation the following semester and subsequent semesters, if necessary, until the
Fieldwork project is finished. A one-credit fee will be assessed for each additional consecutive
semester of Fieldwork III Continuation at the usual tuition and fees rate.
Students must contact/obtain approval from their Fieldwork/Faculty Advisor for the appropriate PIN to
register for FDWC III.
Please visit the following link for Rutgers School of Public Health tuition and fees information:
http://sph.rutgers.edu/admissions/tuition_fees.html.
Please consider the FW II Continuation and FW III Continuation policies when planning your Fieldwork
timeline.
Please see Appendices A and B for the Fieldwork Contract and Proposal form and checklist of
Required Fieldwork Deliverables for students, respectively.
Eligibility to Register for Fieldwork

Students are generally eligible to start the planning phase of Fieldwork once they have received
permission from their Academic Advisor, completed all core courses and the required courses of their
concentration area while maintaining a GPA of 3.0. Students are encouraged to begin thinking about
the focus area for their Fieldwork and begin discussing with their faculty advisor once they have
completed the aforementioned criteria. This will allow sufficient time to find a suitable field placement,
formalize the details of the Fieldwork project and complete all the necessary paperwork.
Each Department has specific requirements that must be met in order to ensure registration eligibility.
These include but are not limited to completion of specific coursework, Department Chair approval, and
completion of minimal number of credits within the department.
Please visit the following link for Department specific guidance:

http://sph.rutgers.edu/academics/fieldwork/registeringfieldwork.html.
All MPH students are required to complete Fieldwork. It should also be noted that Fieldwork is
required for all dual degree MPH programs.
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Dual Department Students
Students who are formally enrolled in two departments will choose and complete one project which will
meet the Fieldwork requirements for both. Fieldwork projects will be overseen and approved by one
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor in each department.
Fieldwork Registration
Fieldwork I registration is by special permission only. Please contact your respective campus Graduate
Practicum Director for more information.
Please visit the following link for Department specific guidance:

http://sph.rutgers.edu/academics/fieldwork/registeringfieldwork.html. Once appropriate permissions
have been obtained (signature or electronically), please submit to campus Graduate Practicum Director
for processing.
Choosing a Fieldwork Project and Site

Fieldwork sites are chosen based primarily on students’ interests and their career goals. Students may
identify their own sites or they may consult their Academic Faculty Advisor and/or the Graduate
Practicum Director to find an appropriate Fieldwork project. Students should contact the faculty of their
department and the Graduate Practicum Director to identify a Fieldwork project. Sites may include, but
are not limited to, federal, state, or local health agencies or departments; non-profit organizations; or
units within Rutgers University or other academic institutions.
A list of potential Fieldwork sites and opportunities will be made available each semester to all students.
Please note that students should only contact potential sites if they are getting ready to engage in
Fieldwork and have discussed and received approval from their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor.
Students are not usually paid for their Fieldwork but are permitted to receive stipends from their
Fieldwork agency if available.
Fieldwork Seminar Sessions

The first seminar session of each semester is dedicated to an orientation to the Fieldwork process.
Students who are enrolled in FDWC I and those who are preparing to start their Fieldwork should
attend the Fieldwork orientation seminar. All students registered for FDWC I and FDWC II should
regularly attend the monthly Fieldwork seminars. These seminars will cover Fieldwork specific issues
such as Human Subjects Protection and Institutional Review Board issues, project design and
methodology, data analysis issues and/or difficulties as well as other related topics.
Students MUST attend the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Overview during Fieldwork I.
Students will NOT PASS Fieldwork I if they have not attended this seminar. It will be offered at
least once a semester on each of the campuses.
Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP)

The mission of the HSPP is to support the University's research enterprise by ensuring the
protection of individuals who participate in research; ensuring compliance with all pertinent
federal and state laws and regulations; fostering the ethical conduct of human subjects
research; and providing education and other services to the University's researchers regarding
regulatory requirements and best practices.
HSPP assures that the University fulfills its institutional responsibilities for the conduct of
research involving human participants, under the University's three Federalwide Assurances
filed with DHHS-Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP); the regulatory requirements of
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the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); state and local laws; institutional policy; and all
applicable sponsor requirements.
HSPP consists of two University IRB Campus Systems, in Newark and New Brunswick, under
one Federalwide Assurance (FWA); a contractual relationship with Western IRB (WIRB) for
review of industry-sponsored protocols conducted by Rutgers faculty at Rutgers performance
sites; a program of education for faculty and other researchers; and an audit/review program for
oversight of studies in progress.
NEWARK CAMPUS STUDENTS ONLY

• The PI for all Fieldwork projects must be a Rutgers faculty member; students will be the Co-PI
on their projects.
• The Graduate Practicum Director will be listed as a Co-PI on all Fieldwork projects.
• The Graduate Practicum Director is to receive a copy of all IRB correspondence relating to your
IRB applications.
Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) Human Subjects Protections Online Training
All Rutgers faculty, students, and other individuals involved in human subjects research are
required to complete the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) Basic Course and to
complete the CITI Refresher Course every three years thereafter. This requirement also
extends to all IRB members and Human Subjects Protection program staff.
All MPH students must complete the CITI Human Subjects Protections online training.
Instructions regarding the CITI Training can be found at:
http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/education/index.html
Initial Registration for NEW Learners

1. Go to http://www.citiprogram.org and select 'Create an account: Register'.
2. Select “Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey (All Campuses)” from the drop down menu
of participating institutions.
3. Enter Personal Information and in Step 3, enter a user name, password and security
question/answers. To complete the CITI registration process, you must enter demographic and
CEU information. Select "Student Researcher" as role in research. Then answer each of the
enrollment questions.
4. For Question 1 select: -CITI Human Subjects Protections Basic Course
5. For Question 2 select: -“Social / Behavioral / Epidemiologic Research Investigators, Study Staff,
or Students”
6. Click Finalize Registration
Once the on-line course has been completed and passed, a Certificate of Completion will
be generated which can be printed. The certification notice will not automatically be sent
to the Graduate Practicum Director. The on-line system indicates a copy will be sent to
your educational administrator which is the Office of Human Subjects Protection, not the
Rutgers School of Public Health. Therefore, the certificate must be submitted by the
student to the Graduate Practicum Director as a required deliverable for FDWC I and
before permission will be granted to register for FDWC II.
Refresher Requirements for CITI

Rutgers University requires that once you have completed a Rutgers-approved Basic Course,
you must complete the Rutgers University CITI Refresher Course every three (3) years. You will
receive an automatic reminder from CITI approximately 90 days prior to your anniversary date.
More information about the CITI Training can be found at:
Page 6 of 32
Fieldwork and the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
New Protocols
Any student initiating a new research project for their Fieldwork must review, complete, and
submit an application for Full-Review, Expedited Review, Exempt Review, or Request for
determination of Non-Human Subjects Research. Most student projects will be approved
through the Expedited, Exempt review process, or determined to be Non-Human Subjects
Research. All new IRB submissions must be submitted electronically, please visit the following
link: https://eIRB.rutgers.edu
Amending an Existing Protocol through Modification

If a student becomes involved in an on-going research project for their Fieldwork that has
already been approved through the IRB, a modification MUST be submitted to formally add the
student and the Graduate Practicum Director (Newark Campus only) to the project. Though
the principal investigator (PI) has regulatory responsibility to ensure all co-investigators and key
personnel are listed appropriately on the protocol, the student should initiate the modification
process to be included on the protocol. Students should complete the request for modification
form and present it to the PI for appropriate signatures and submission to the IRB. Please
confer with PI to see if eIRB submission is appropriate.
When submitting forms to the Institutional Review Board for Review, please be sure to submit
the protocol, supporting documents, and direct questions you may have to your
respective IRB Office. All students must submit their Fieldwork projects to the
Institutional Review Board for review. The IRB is the determining body regarding what is
Human Subjects Research and what is considered Non-Human Subjects Research.
When submitting any form to the IRB for review each student MUST work with their Fieldwork
Faculty Advisor during the drafting and submission process.
Upon completion of an IRB approved Fieldwork project most students are required to submit a
“Study Closure Application” to the IRB office. A copy of this form MUST be sent to the
Graduate Practicum Director along with a copy of the final Fieldwork report before a “Pass” for
Fieldwork will be posted. If you are part of an on-going study a modification form must be
submitted to remove yourself and the Graduate Practicum Director (Newark Campus only)
from the study. The principal investigator has regulatory responsibility to ensure all co-
investigators and key personnel are listed appropriately; however, the student should initiate the
modification process to be removed from the protocol. The student should complete the request
for modification form and present it to the PI for appropriate signatures and submission to the
IRB. If student is not PI, please confer with study investigator to see if eIRB submission of study
closure document is appropriate.
Five Categories of Fieldwork Research Projects Do not Require IRB Approval:

These five categories include:
1. Meta-analysis of published data
2. Analysis of de-identified, publically available data sets (e.g., US Census Bureau data, Youth Risk
Behavior Survey, NHANES, BRFSS). The use of data from public data sets is not considered
human subject research as long as the following criteria are met:
a. Research will NOT involve merging any of the data sets in such a way that individuals might
be identified
b. Researcher will NOT enhance the public data set with identifiable, or potentially identifiable
data
c. A data use agreement is not required to obtain the information
3. Grant proposals that do not include data analysis
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4. Practicum experiences that do not involve data collection or analysis
5. Research on Organizations (i.e., information about operations, budget, etc. from spokespersons or
data sources; does not include identifiable private information about individual members,
employees, or staff)
Who makes this determination?

Students can only make the determination that their project does not require IRB approval in
consultation with their Faculty Advisor, Site Preceptor and the Graduate Practicum Director on their
Campus after review of the student’s research protocol. All three must then sign the student’s Fieldwork
Contract attesting to their decision that the project does not require IRB approval.
Do students still need to prepare a research protocol even if their project does not need IRB Review?
All MPH students are required to prepare a Research Protocol outlining their planned fieldwork project.
Please note, this new policy does not preclude a student from going through the RBHS IRB. Faculty
have the authority to require that a student’s project be submitted to IRB for review if they prefer or if
they are uncertain about a determination for a project.
Continuing with Research after Graduation

Some students have the opportunity to continue their research or publish their Fieldwork in a
peer reviewed journal after graduation and may need to keep the IRB approval active. This is
possible; however if the student is the principal investigator, all contact information must be
current to ensure ongoing communication with the IRB. If contact information is not current, then
a modification form must be submitted to provide up to date contacts.
External IRB Agency Review

Some Fieldwork projects may require review and approval from outside agencies in addition to
the University IRB depending on the site of the Fieldwork. Please work with your Fieldwork
Faculty Advisor and your Site Preceptor to determine if this may be required. All applications
and approvals from any additional participating IRB agency must be submitted to the Graduate
Practicum Director.
Please see Appendix E for IRB campus contact information,

FAQ’s and other important links.
Student Responsibilities
The Graduate Practicum Director will review Fieldwork requirements with the student prior to starting
their Fieldwork. The responsibilities of the student include, but are not limited to, the following:
Fieldwork I:
• Reviewing both general and academic department specific requirements;
• Regular review of student Rutgers University email account messages;
• School and Fieldwork related messages will no longer be sent to personal email
accounts. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Rutgers University email account
or use POPmail, which enables all Rutgers University email messages to be forwarded
to an alternate account.
• Selecting an appropriate site(s) through research materials in Fieldwork office or developing one
themselves;
• Meeting with the Site Preceptor and developing a description of duties and responsibilities;
• Attending monthly Fieldwork seminar sessions;
• Complete on-line competency assessment;
• Completing the on-line Human Subjects Protection course and submitting completion certificate to
the Graduate Practicum Director. Please visit the following link:
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http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/education/index.html.
• Completing and submitting the Fieldwork proposal/contract form to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor,
Site Preceptor, and Graduate Practicum Director for review and approval;
• Submitting the contract to the Graduate Practicum Director with all appropriate signatures; and
• Submitting project application for University IRB review and providing a copy of the IRB
application and approval to the Graduate Practicum Director.
• Each campus has an IRB office; please see the respective campus appendices for
submission information.
Fieldwork II:
• Regular review of student Rutgers University email account messages;
• School and Fieldwork related messages will no longer be sent to personal email
accounts. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Rutgers University email account
or use POPmail, which enables all Rutgers University email messages to be forwarded
to an alternate account.
• Conducting and completing all aspects of project including but not limited to research, analysis,
and write-up;
• Submitting a draft of the final report to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor for review
• Completion of 300 word project abstract submitted electronically to the Graduate Practicum
Director prior to the Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentation;
• Completion and submission of slides for the Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentation to the
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and Graduate Practicum Director;
• Completing and submitting the final report to Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and Graduate Practicum
Director;
• Completing and submitting IRB Modification Request Form to remove the student from the project
-or- Final Study Report / Study Closure Form to close-out the study as complete and providing a
copy to the Graduate Practicum Director;
• See campus specific appendices for websites and more information regarding
student removal from study and the study closure form.
• Completing the evaluation of Fieldwork experience; and
• Presenting project at Dean’s Review of Fieldwork (requires approval from Fieldwork Faculty
Advisor).
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

Students should meet regularly with their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor to discuss progress on their
Fieldwork project. The Fieldwork Faculty Advisor is responsible for the final approval of Fieldwork
placement including site, Site Preceptor, schedule, learning objectives and overall scope of the
Fieldwork project.
Other responsibilities of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor include:

 Serving as the liaison between the University, student and Fieldwork site;
 Advising the student regarding objectives and content of the Fieldwork project;
 Helping clarify the student’s learning needs and the role of the Site Preceptor;
 Assisting the student with selection of a Fieldwork site and in the development of the Fieldwork
contract and proposal;
 Approving and signing the Contract & Proposal Form;
 Reviewing and assisting student with IRB application
 Providing resource materials to the student as needed;
 Being available to discuss any issues that may arise in connection with the Fieldwork placement
with the Site Preceptor, student and Graduate Practicum Director;
 Providing supervision and substantive review of the students’ written Fieldwork report;
 Approving the student’s final paper and presentation for the Dean’s Review;
 Attending the Dean’s Review in which their student is presenting; and
 Evaluating the student at the end of the Fieldwork experience.
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The student may choose any faculty member within their academic department to be the Fieldwork
advisor. If a student desires to have a non-department faculty member advise them, they must receive
approval by the Department Chair. Students will contract with their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and Site
Preceptor for a minimum of one hour per week of advisement while they are enrolled in Fieldwork.
Site Preceptor Responsibilities

Site Preceptors are selected based on their expertise, desire to work with a student, enthusiasm for the
field, project and time availability, experience in practice, and appropriate advanced educational
background; almost all site supervisors have advanced degrees in public health and many Rutgers
School of Public Health alumni/ae serve in this role. A Fieldwork contract, or a written agreement, is
executed among the student, Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and site supervisor. The Site Preceptor is
required to hold a higher-level health related degree (e.g. MPH, MSN, MD, PhD, DrPH, etc.). The
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor has final approval of a Site Preceptor. This determination is based on the
information submitted by the student and Graduate Practicum Director.
Site Preceptors are also asked to assess students through the Fieldwork Site Preceptor Survey.
The Graduate Practicum Director meets and/or calls each potential Site Preceptor to explain the
Fieldwork process, discuss the preceptors’ role and to develop ideas for possible future Fieldwork
projects. The activities of the graduate student should serve both the agency's Fieldwork objectives and
the student's learning objectives.
During the course of the Fieldwork experience, the responsibilities of the Site Preceptor include:
• Meeting with the student prior to beginning Fieldwork to develop Fieldwork objectives and
activities;
• Assisting the student with the proposal form;
• Signing the Contract & Learning Agreement;
• Orienting the student to the agency, personnel and program (this includes providing all
necessary information and documentation to carry out the Fieldwork project);
• Ensuring logistical needs are met including appropriate work space, phone and computer (if
required), bathroom and building/office access and all other necessities required to attain
Fieldwork objectives;
• Weekly meetings (minimally) to track and evaluate students’ progress towards achieving the
Fieldwork objectives;
• Educating and guiding the student in the field of public health;
• Communicating with the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and Graduate Practicum Director on the
performance of the student;
• Completing a written evaluation of the student (form is in the handbook or can be provided by
the Graduate Practicum Director) and
• Attending the student’s oral presentation at Dean’s Review of Fieldwork (if possible).
Final Fieldwork Report

At the conclusion of the Fieldwork, each student must hand in a final paper and present their project at
the Dean’s Review of Fieldwork.
The Fieldwork grade will be assigned after the student delivers the presentation at Dean’s Review. The
student must complete any revisions to their final paper to receive a grade of “P”. In addition, the
student must receive grade of “P” for Fieldwork I, Fieldwork II, Fieldwork II Continuation, and Fieldwork
III Continuation (if applicable) in order to complete the MPH program and receive a diploma.
Students will not receive a grade unless they submit the IRB Modification Form or the IRB Final
Study Report/Study Closure Form to the IRB and provide a copy to the Graduate Practicum
Director.
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The goal of the final paper is to summarize the Fieldwork experience with a written report of the project
or research study. The final written report must be of a quality suitable for publication or presentation to
a professional audience.
The length and scope of the written report will vary depending upon the project undertaken and
the requirements of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor; although a typical, well-written paper is
generally over 15 pages.
The student should write the paper at the end of their Fieldwork experience then submit a copy to their
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and to the Graduate Practicum Director. Department sample outlines for the
final paper are included in the appendices of this handbook. Any questions about the final paper may
be addressed to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor or the Graduate Practicum Director; however, final
determination of the paper is at the discretion of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor. The Fieldwork Faculty
Advisor ensures that the student applies skills from across the curriculum and demonstrates synthesis
and integration of knowledge gained from the MPH program.
Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentations

Each student is required to make a formal presentation of his/her Fieldwork project for review by the
campus associate/assistant dean, faculty and fellow students. Presentations are approximately 10 to 15
minutes in length and may follow the format for the APHA scientific sessions. Site preceptors are
invited to attend and are recognized for their contribution.
Actual presentation dates and times will vary by campus and are generally announced at the beginning
of each semester by the Graduate Practicum Director.
Students MUST receive clearance from their Faculty Fieldwork Advisor to present before submitting
their abstract and slides to the Graduate Practicum Director.
Please see campus specific appendices for details regarding the

Dean’s Review of the Fieldwork Presentations
Self-Assessment of Competencies
Each department has a set of competencies that identify the applied knowledge and skills that are
expected of all graduates in a department. Students will complete their self-assessment survey through
the CoursEval system, the same system that is used for course evaluations. Students will receive an
email from Laura Liang, Associate Dean for Administration, with instructions on completing their self-
assessment, as well as email reminders until the self-assessment is completed. The specific answers
you submit online are anonymous (although Rutgers School of Public Health does track who has
completed the assessment). Faculty will use these data from this assessment to identify gaps in the
MPH curriculum. You are also encouraged to discuss this self-assessment or your own
accomplishments and competencies with your advisor. Dual department students will be responsible for
completing this for both applicable departments.
All students who enter the MPH degree program will be required to complete the self-
assessment survey and written self-assessment of their department competencies.
Fieldwork I & Self-Assessment

As part of Fieldwork I requirements, students will:
1) Complete an online self-assessment to report their level of expertise on their Department’s
competencies using a Likert type scale.
2) Identify which Department competencies are related to their Fieldwork on their Fieldwork
Contract (competencies for which students’ level of expertise will increase as a result of their
Fieldwork).
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Fieldwork II & Self-Assessment
1) Students will include a written section (approximately 250 words) in their final paper
explaining how their Fieldwork contributed to their proficiency of the identified competencies
as identified in the Contract. Please see Appendix C for guidance on write-up.
Site Preceptor & Student Assessment

Site preceptor will be asked to complete a survey which will include their student’s identified
competencies from the Fieldwork Contract. The site preceptor will assess the Fieldwork student in
these identified competencies using a Likert‐type scale.
Graduate Practicum Director Contact Information

Sarah W. Kelly, MPH
Graduate Practicum Director
683 Hoes Lane West, Room 121
Piscataway, NJ 08854
kellysw@sph.rutgers.edu
p. 732-235-5512
f. 732-235-9460
Newark Campus
Teri E. Lassiter, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor/Graduate Practicum Director
65 Bergen Street, 7th Floor, Room 750
Newark, NJ 07107-1709
lassiter@sph.rutgers.edu
p. 973-972-8689
f. 973-972-8032
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Appendix A
Fieldwork Contract and Proposal Form

Fieldwork I Deliverable
This contract is to be completed according to the understanding of the Fieldwork placement between the student
and the site supervisor. Please complete this form which must be submitted to your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor,
Site Preceptor, and Graduate Practicum Director for signature and approval. Please be sure to keep copies of
all documents for personal records. This form is available on-line at: http://sph.rutgers.edu/
Please submit completed documents to the Graduate Practicum Director by campus:
Newark New Brunswick

Teri E. Lassiter, PhD, MPH Sarah W. Kelly, MPH
Graduate Practicum Director Graduate Practicum Director
65 Bergen Street, room 750B 683 Hoes Lane West, Rm 114
Newark, NJ 07107-1709 Piscataway, NJ 08854
lassiter@sph.rutgers.edu kellysw@sph.rutgers.edu
p. 973-972-8689 p. 732-235-5512
f. 973-972-8032 f.: 732-235-4814
In partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master in Public Health degree, conferred by the Rutgers
School of Public Health, [Enter Student Name], [Enter Fieldwork Faculty Advisor Name(s)] and [Enter
Site Preceptor Name] agree to the following stipulations for the Fieldwork project:
I. Contact Information
Fieldwork Site/Agency: [Agency Name] Student: [Student Name]
Address: [Agency Location] “A” Number: [ID# ex. A00112233]
Site Preceptor: [Name & Academic Department(s): [Student Dept(s)]
Credentials (MPH, PhD, MD etc...)]
Title: [Example: Director, Health Officer, etc.] Address: [Students' Address]
Department: [Ex: Dept of Community Services] Phone(s) & Rutgers Email: [Students Phone # &
Email Address]
Phone(s): [Phone #'s of Site Preceptor] Fieldwork Faculty Advisor(s) Name(s):

[Fieldwork Faculty Advisor(s) Name(s)]
Email: [Email Address of Site Preceptor] Phone(s): [Phone #'s of Fieldwork Advisor]
Email Address(es): [Email Address of
Fieldwork Advisor(s)]
II. Project Title and Proposal: [Enter Title Name]

Provide the statement, goal and objectives of the problem you intend to address:
[e.g. The purpose of this study]
Describe the methodology of the project: [Describe methodology, theory, types(s) of skills to be
utilized and/or data to be used, etc.]
Provide a brief description (250-500 words) of the Fieldwork project including background and
significance of the problem you intend to address.
[Please be as specific as possible to assist your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor in evaluating the project]
Page 13 of 32
Rutgers School of Public Health
III. Work Plan and Time Frame of Fieldwork

Contract Date: Fieldwork I Semester of Fieldwork Start Date:
[Insert Date] Enrollment: [Insert [Insert Date]
Semester] Fieldwork Completion Date: [Insert Date]
Fieldwork Schedule: Approximate Total Number Fieldwork II No. of Credits by Semester:

[# of hours a day, of Hours: [400 hrs is the min. Semester # of Credits
week, etc.] requirement] Choose Here Choose Here
Semester # of Credits
Choose Here Choose Here
Meeting Schedule with Site Meeting Schedule with Fieldwork Faculty Advisor: [# of
Preceptor: hours a day, week, etc.]
[# of hours a day, week, etc.]
IV. Objectives of Proposed Project

a. Please provide project objectives:
Objective 1: [Please Describe]
Activities for Objective 1: [Please Describe]
V. Academic Competencies
a. Please see Appendix A-1 of the Fieldwork Contract and Proposal form for the complete
list of Department competencies. Please select your Department specific competencies
that will be addressed during Fieldwork only.
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor: [Please Inital Here]

Site Preceptor: [Please Inital Here]
Student: [Please Inital Here]
VI. Site Preceptor:

As the Site Preceptor, I am aware that the total number of hours required by Rutgers School of Public
Health to complete Fieldwork is a MINIMUM of 400 hours. I will help guide the work of the student for
the placement duration, provide supervision and collaborate with the student, Graduate Practicum
Director and Fieldwork Faculty Advisor to evaluate the student's performance. I will ensure that the
student will be provided with workspace and any needed support materials.
Page 14 of 32
VII. Institutional Review Board (IRB): Please be reminded that copies of the protocol application,
approvals, any modifications, and closure form must be provided to the Graduate Practicum
Director.
a. I understand that all Fieldwork Projects must be reviewed with Fieldwork Faculty Advisor
and appropriately submitted to the IRB for review.

b. What type of IRB submission is needed for the Fieldwork project?

Initial application for Full, Expedited Review, or Exempt Review
Modification, only to include student as research personnel on pre-existing protocol
Request for Determination of Non-Human Subjects Research
Non-IRB review
The following types of Fieldwork Projects meet the criteria deemed acceptable for non-
IRB review; please select the type of project that is being proposed:
Meta-analysis of published data
Analysis of de-identified, publically available data sets (i.e., Census Bureau, Youth
Risk Behavior Survey, NHANES). The use of data from public data sets is not
considered human subject research as long as the following criteria are met:
• Research will NOT involve merging any of the data sets in such a way that
individual might be identified
• Researcher will NOT enhance the public data set with identifiable, or potentially
identifiable data
• A data use agreement is not required to obtain the information
Grant proposals that do not include data analysis
Practicum experiences that do not involve data collection or analysis
Research on organizations (i.e., information about operations, budget, etc. from
spokespersons or data sources; does not include identifiable private information about
individual members, employees, it staff).
[If Non-IRB review—please initial below]

Graduate Practicum Director: [Please Inital Here]
c. When will the protocol be submitted for review?

Date: [Insert Date]
d. Which campus IRB will review the application?

Newark
New Brunswick
e. Will IRB approval be required from another institution? (If YES, please submit copies of all
IRB documentation to the Graduate Practicum Director).
Yes [Please Provide Institution Name & IRB Contact Information]
No
f. I understand and acknowledge that all related research materials (i.e. paper surveys,
samples, specimens) will remain at Rutgers School of Public Health after project
Page 15 of 32
completion and/or will adhere to the language as stipulated in the approved IRB protocol
regarding this project.
VIII. Other Stipulations of the Fieldwork Contract & Proposal:

• The student will access their Rutgers University email account regularly and review the SPH
Calendar on the homepage to remain current on all Fieldwork related information, deadlines,
and announcements. The student understands that personal email accounts will not be used by
the Graduate Practicum Directors to communicate Fieldwork related information.
• The student's Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, the Graduate Practicum Director, Site Preceptor and
student are available for consultation to the others upon request.
• The student and the Site Preceptor understand that a visitation and/or a phone call will be made
by the Graduate Practicum Director to monitor progress and help solve problems that may occur
during the placement.
• The Site Preceptor will contact the Graduate Practicum Director to discuss and resolve any
problems that may emerge.
• Rutgers University shall provide for professional and general liability coverage of the student
performing Fieldwork activities under the terms of this agreement; said coverage provides limits
of $1,000,000/$3,000,000.
• Evaluations: The student and Site Preceptor will complete evaluation forms within two weeks of
the completion of the Fieldwork project. Evaluation documents submitted through the Graduate
Practicum Director are considered confidential by the Graduate Practicum Director, Fieldwork
Faculty Advisor and Department Chairperson.
• Fieldwork Faculty Advisor must attend the students’ presentation at the Dean’s Review of
Fieldwork. Site Preceptors are invited and encouraged to attend the presentation if schedules
permits.
IX. Authorship Guidelines: If a student contributes to the conception and design of the study or the
analysis and interpretation of data and the drafting of the article or critical revision for important
intellectual content, then the student will be granted co-authorship on one or more publications
reporting the results of the project. If a student fails to communicate about the publication for 1 year,
the student forfeits any authorship. Please note that the sequence of authorship on the publication
will be determined by the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and the students’ contribution to the overall
study.
X. Faculty Statement: The faculty Fieldwork advisor has discussed the issue of authorship with the
student and any other appropriate Fieldwork co-investigators.
[Insert Initials] (Fieldwork Faculty Advisor initials required)
XI. Further Agreement:

The student will attend the monthly Fieldwork seminars or sessions on their respective campus at
Rutgers School of Public Health.
[Please sign here] (Student signature required)
The student will complete the Self-Assessment of Academic Competencies online through
CoursEval (the online system also used for course evaluations).
[Please sign here] (Student signature required)
Page 16 of 32
XII. Project Report:

The student will submit the report outline and report draft to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and the
completed report to both the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and to the Graduate Practicum Director.
a. Draft of completed report: [Insert Date]
b. Complete and final report: [Insert Date]
• The student will present their Fieldwork project at the Dean’s Review of Fieldwork. The
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor MUST approve the presentation before the student will be permitted
to present.
• The length and scope of the written report will vary depending upon the project undertaken and
the requirements of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor; although a typical, well written paper is
generally over 15 pages. The format of the final report should be discussed with and approved
by the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor. Please see Appendix for guidance on a suggested outline.
• If data analysis is to be conducted as a part of the Fieldwork project it should be done by
the student. If the student needs to collaborate with others (i.e. other students or outside
consultants) to conduct analysis then this should be acknowledged in the Fieldwork paper AND
STATED IN THE CONTRACT.

• The Graduate Practicum Director will forward a copy of the final report to the Site Preceptor and
invite the Site Preceptor to the student’s oral presentation of their project.
XIII. Required Signatures:
Student (Print) Date Signature
Site Preceptor (Print) Date Signature
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor (Print) Date Signature
Graduate Practicum Director (Print) Date Signature
Page 17 of 32
Rutgers School of Public Health Fieldwork Handbook for Students
APPENDIX A-1
ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES
Please check off the competencies from your department(s) that will be addressed in your Fieldwork.
Select only competencies from your department(s). If you are doing a dual-concentration, please
identify competencies that will be addressed in your Fieldwork from both departments.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOSTATISTICS NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Integrate relevant scientific background to design experimental and observational studies in biomedical,
clinical and public health research
Use statistical computer packages to organize, analyze and report collected data
Apply basic probability theory and standard statistical methods to problems relevant to biomedical, clinical
and public health research
Review and critique statistical methods and interpretations presented in published research studies,
presentations or reports
Communicate the results of statistical studies both in writing and orally to investigators and lay community
members
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Describe the major environmental health problems to the general public as well as specific communities
within that population
Explain the basic mechanism of toxicology and dose-response regarding environmental toxicants
Describe the federal and state regulatory programs that relate to environmental (community) and worker
(occupational) protection
Develop a testable model of environmental exposures (one or more agents) and adverse health outcomes
(causing injury, disability, other measure of morbidity or mortality)
Specify current environmental risk assessment approaches and methods for a particular hazard or risk in a
community
DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Critique epidemiologic literature, assess its strengths and weaknesses and determine if conclusion(s) are
supported
Use epidemiologic techniques to quantitatively assess patterns and changes in disease occurrence
Formulate a specific hypothesis and determine an appropriate study design and analysis plan
Design, implement and assess ordinary data collection systems for public health research
Design and implement basic quality control methods during data entry and analysis
Appropriately analyze and interpret epidemiologic data, including large national and state level datasets
Communicate and present study findings to professional audiences
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Assess and delineate health education and health promotion needs of diverse populations using a variety of
techniques
Design, implement, and evaluate health education and promotion programs in diverse settings
Develop and critique health education and health promotion materials and methods
Apply management techniques in health education and health promotion settings
Describe and apply health behavior theories and models used in public health programs
Page 18 of 32
APPENDIX A-1
ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES (cont.)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AND POLICY NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Use economic theories, concepts and methodologies in the analysis and evaluation of current health care
issues and problems
Assess community health needs, disparities and the health care delivery system within the context of social,
cultural, political, legal and economic forces
Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods in the analysis of health service and policy issues
Assess and delineate public health policies and practices recognizing legal and ethical implications for
individuals and populations
Describe principles of management theories in the delivery of health services and evaluation of health
system performance
CONCENTRATION: QUANTITATIVE HEALTH CARE ASSESSMENT NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Critically analyze health care outcomes literature
Analyze health services data sets using a broad set of research skills that include meta analysis, decision
analysis, case-mix adjustment, and small area analysis
Perform community needs assessments using health services data sets
Conduct basic cost-effectiveness analyses
Interpret the pharmacoepidemiology literature and critically appraise the designs of such studies
Assess effectiveness of various, alternative population-based treatments (screening, preventive treatments)
and health care delivery options
Delineate mechanisms of how differences in health systems delivery and reimbursement can result in
different health
outcomes
Page 19 of 32
APPENDIX A-1
ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES (cont.)
DEPARTMENT OF BIOSTATISTICS NEWARK CAMPUS

Integrate relevant scientific background to design experimental and observational studies in biomedical,
clinical and public health research
Use statistical computer packages to organize, analyze and report collected data
Apply basic probability theory and standard statistical methods to problems relevant to biomedical, clinical
and public health research
Review and critique statistical methods and interpretations presented in published research studies,
presentations or reports
Communicate the results of statistical studies both in writing and orally to investigators and lay community
members
DEPARTMENT OF DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH NEWARK CAMPUS

Describe the epidemiology of oral disease, syndromes, and target disorders
Conduct critical analyses of the scientific literature in dental public health
Design and utilize a surveillance system to monitor oral health
Apply clinical decision analyses for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and prognosis of oral diseases
Apply the systems model approach to health care delivery systems
Perform program planning and resource allocations in dental public health programs
DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY NEWARK CAMPUS

Critique epidemiologic literature, assess its strengths and weaknesses and determine if conclusion(s) are
supported
Use epidemiologic techniques to quantitatively assess patterns and changes in disease occurrence
Formulate a specific hypothesis and determine an appropriate study design and analysis plan
Design, implement and assess ordinary data collection systems for public health research
Design and implement basic quality control methods during data entry and analysis
Appropriately analyze and interpret epidemiologic data, including large national and state level datasets
Communicate and present study findings to professional audiences
DEPARTMENT OF URBAN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION NEWARK CAMPUS

Identify the main issues that affect the organization, financing, and delivery of health services, and public health
systems in urban communities, especially among disadvantaged populations
Apply quality improvement principles and methods to enhance health outcomes and the performance and
productivity of health organizations
Apply leadership skills to health partnerships, coalition building, and nonprofit organizations
Demonstrate skills in program planning, development, and evaluation in organizational and urban community
settings
Utilize cultural sensitivity, budgeting, human resource management, and program development skills in health
care, nonprofit, and public service settings
Apply the fundamental elements of health service research to the analysis of psychosocial, economic, and
clinical outcome
Page 20 of 32
APPENDIX B
Checklist for Required Fieldwork Deliverables
Copies of all of the FDWC I and FDWC II deliverables and documents must be submitted to the
Graduate Practicum Director. Students are encouraged to maintain copies of all Fieldwork related
documents for their own records.
Fieldwork I
Completed and signed Fieldwork Contract and Proposal Form

 The original must be submitted to the Graduate Practicum Director
Completion of the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI)
 A copy of the 'Completion Report' must be submitted to the Graduate Practicum Director as
evidence that the educational requirement has been met
Copy of the completed Institutional Review Board application that was submitted for review, if
needed
 A copy of the application must be submitted to the Graduate Practicum Director
Copy of the project protocol, regardless of IRB submission status
Completion and report submission of the on-line self-assessment competency survey
Attendance of Fieldwork Orientation, IRB Overview, and Seminars
Fieldwork II
Copy of the final Fieldwork report

 Submitted to Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and Graduate Practicum Director
 A copy must be submitted electronically to the Graduate Practicum Director
Abstract of the final report
 Must be submitted to Graduate Practicum Director electronically
 Must be 300 words or less
Slides for the Dean’s Review Fieldwork Presentations (15 minutes)
 A hard copy and an electronic copy of the presentation slides must be submitted to Graduate
Practicum Director
Copies of IRB materials (Applications, Approvals, and Study Closure Documents)
 IRB applications, approvals, documentation from external IRB Committees (if applicable)
 Closure, modification and/or continuing review applications from the IRB (if applicable)
Copy of the completed and signed Faculty Sign Off Form
Other Fieldwork Conditions
Students must be registered in Fieldwork in order to present at the Dean’s Review

Attendance of at least one (1) Dean’s Review of the Fieldwork Presentations: Date_________
Attendance of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Overview session: Date______________
Students must regularly check Rutgers email account for School and Fieldwork-related information
and announcements
 Students have the option to use POPmail or have their Rutgers email forwarded to a personal
account. It is the student responsibility to make sure they are current on all Fieldwork-related
deadlines and information
Page 21 of 32
APPENDIX C
Recommended Outline for the Final Fieldwork Project Report
Newark Campus
Please note: This general outline is only a recommendation and may not be suitable for all Fieldwork
reports. There are department specific recommendations as well; please consult your Fieldwork Faculty
Advisor for specific guidelines. Students should discuss their projects and project reports with their
Fieldwork Faculty Advisors at all times. Students are required to submit a final report that is written in a
quality suitable for publication. The length and scope of the written report will vary depending upon the
project undertaken and the requirements of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor; although a typical, well
written paper is generally over 15 pages.
1. General Outline
I. Title/Cover Page - Title of project, Student name, Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, Department, Date
II. Abstract
III. Introduction
1. Description of auspices under which project was carried out.
2. Problem statement (The purpose of this study was...)
3. Significance of the problem (Why is this problem important? How has it been addressed by
others? (i.e. in the literature)
4. Key questions that must be examined to achieve the purposes of the study/project.
5. Define terms, if necessary
IV. Project/Study Goals and Objectives
V. Methods
1. Describe method(s) chosen
2. Provide rational for choices
3. Give strengths/weaknesses of methods
4. Describe resources required
VI. Data
1. Primary data (interviews, questionnaires, personal experiences)
2. Secondary data (literature, statistics, data collected by others) (Include forms,
questionnaires, etc. in appendix if > 2 pages)
VII. Implementation - important events and decisions
VIII. Discussion of Results
1. What is (are) the most important result(s)?
2. Present all results in detail.
3. Do your findings agree with the literature or work of others?
IX. Recommendations
1. Should any changes be made to alleviate or resolve the problem you studied?
2. If the project were to be repeated do you recommend any changes in
methodology/approach?
3. Further research suggested by your work.
2. Research Design Protocol for Dental Public Health (DPH)

I. Title
1. Study variable
2. Target Population
3. Epidemiological approach
II. Introduction Problem
1. Clinical Problem
2. Severity and extent
3. Epidemiological approach
Page 22 of 32
APPENDIX C
4. Target population
5. Research Questions
III. Review of the Literature
1. Definition of terms
a. Dependent variable
b. Independent variable
c. Confounding variable
2. Theoretical framework
a. Casual Modes
b. Etiological mechanism
c. Research Approach
d. Rationale for study
3. Study Hypothesis
a. Methodological Differences in proportions, chi-square test.
b. Descriptive: Proportions
c. Explanatory
d. Exploratory
4. Study Hypotheses
a. Research Hypotheses
b. Statistical Hypotheses
IV. Methods and Material
1. Sampling
a. Size
b. Element
c. Design
d. Recruitment
2. Study Design
a. Type
b. Study Groups
c. Measurement Frequency
d. Patient assignment methods
3. Data Collection
a. Major Sources of Data Collection
b. Instruments:
c. Investigator reliability
d. Variability of study variables
e. Data entry and storage
f. Training and calibration
4. Statistical analyses
a. Software, name, version, year released, company
b. Sample Size determination
c. Reliability
d. Univariate analysis
5. Statistical function of statistical test
a. Association
b. Comparisons
c. Predictions
d. Estimations
6. Scale of measurement of study variable
a. Nominal
b. Ordinal
c. Interval
Page 23 of 32
APPENDIX C
d. Ratio
7. Shape of Distribution
a. Nominal
b. Skewed
c. Kurtosis
d. Reliability
e. Multivariable analysis
V. Results
1. Demographic details
a. Demographic features
b. Dental Disease
c. Independent variables
2. Tables
3. Graphs
4. Figures
VI. Discussion
1. Results
a. Table #1
b. Table #2
2. Study Objectives meet in the study
3. Strengths and weakness of the study
a. Study Design
b. Sampling Plan
c. Data Collection
d. Statistical analyses
4. Future Research Issues
VII. References
VIII. Attachments
1. Data Collection forms
2. Consent forms for patients
3. Urban Health Administration (URHA) General Outline

I. Abstract
II. Background/Problem Statement
III. Literature Review
IV. Hypothesis/Research Questions
V. Study Design/Sample Description
VI. Methods
VII. Findings
VIII. Analysis
IX. Conclusions
X. Significance
XI. Strengths/Limitations
Optional References for Biostatistics and Epidemiology students

a) Best Practices for Surveys:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2254236/pdf/ajpe11.pdf
b) STROBE The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)
Statement: Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies:
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=737057
c) CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomized
Trials: http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=745807
Page 24 of 32
APPENDIX C
Recommended Outline for the Final Fieldwork Project Report
Please note:
This outline is only a recommendation and may not be suitable for all Fieldwork reports. There are
department specific recommendations as well; please consult your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor for
specific guidelines. Students should discuss their projects and project reports with their Fieldwork
Faculty Advisors at all times. Students are required to submit a final report that is written in a quality
suitable for publication. The length and scope of the written report will vary depending upon the project
undertaken and the requirements of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor; although a typical, well written
paper is generally over 15 pages.
I. Front/Cover page: Title of project, Student name, Department, Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, Date
II. Introduction: Description of auspices under which project was carried out.
• Problem statement (The purpose of this study was...)
• Significance of the problem (Why is this problem important? How has it been addressed
by others, i.e. in the literature?)
• Key questions that must be examined to achieve the purposes of the study/project.
• Define terms, if necessary
III. Project/study goals and objectives
IV. 1. Methods:
• Describe method(s) chosen
• Rational for choices
• Strengths/weaknesses of methods
• Resources required
2. Data:
• Primary data (interviews, questionnaires, personal experiences)
• Secondary data (literature, statistics, data collected by others)
o Include forms, questionnaires, etc. in appendix if > 2 pages
V. Implementation - important events and decisions
VI. Discussion of results:
• What is (are) the most important result(s)?
• Present all results in detail
• Do your findings agree with the literature or work of others?
VII. Recommendations:
• Should any changes be made to alleviate or resolve the problem you studied?
• If the project were to be repeated do you recommend any changes in
methodology/approach?
• Further research suggested by your work.
VIII. Department Competency Appendix:
• Identify and describe how department competencies were addressed and met during
Fieldwork.
o Refer to Fieldwork contract
o Include competencies that were addressed during Fieldwork but may not have
been identified in the contract during Fieldwork I planning.
Page 25 of 32
APPENDIX D
Recommended Fieldwork Abstract Format 1
Title of Project:
Student Name:
Student Department:
Fieldwork Faculty Advisor:
Site Preceptor Name and Location:
Introduction/Background: study objectives, hypothesis, or a description of the problem.
Methods: study design, including a description of participants, procedures, measures, and appropriate
statistical analyses.
Results: specific results in summary form.
Conclusions: description of the main outcome of the study.
Helpful Hints:
A. The abstract should answer 4 main questions:
• What did you study? (Introduction)
• What did you do? (Methods)
• What did you find? (Results)
• What does it all mean? (Conclusions)
B. Write for a wide audience
C. Keep it simple and straightforward
D. Be sure the abstract makes sense by itself
E. The abstract should be 300 words or less
F. Reference should not be included in abstracts
Information used to create the abstract construction guidance were derived from the following:
1. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Last edited November 11, 2009). APA formatting and
Style Guide. Retrieved November 24, 2009: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Page 26 of 32
APPENDIX E
Institutional Review Board Protocol Submission Policies and Contact Information
General FAQ’s Last Updated January 2016
1. What is the function of the IRB?

IRB stands for Institutional Review Board. An IRB is a committee that performs ethical review of
proposed research.1
2. Which Fieldwork projects require IRB review?

Most Fieldwork projects reviewed by the IRB are considered Exempt, Expedited, or may be
determined to be Non-Human Subjects Research. Exempt, Expedited, and applications for
determination of Non-Human Subjects Research are accepted on a rolling basis. Only protocols
seeking Full-Board Review have specific meeting deadlines. Please visit the following links for
campus specific information.
Newark: http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/contactus/nwkIrb.html
Piscataway/New Brunswick: http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/contactus/nbIrb.html
3. What is CITI and is it required for Fieldwork?

CITI stands for Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI). Completion of the CITI Training is a
requirement of Fieldwork I. In order to conduct Human Subjects Research at Rutgers School of
Public Health you MUST complete the CITI Basic Course “Social/Behavioral / Epidemiologic
Research Investigators, Study Staff, or Students” appropriate to your involvement in research
activities at Rutgers School of Public Health.
More information about the CITI Training can be found at:

4. Where can I find the IRB Forms?

a. IRB forms and applications for initial submissions: https://eIRB.rutgers.edu
b. IRB forms and applications for study changes (modifications) and final reports (study closure
form). These hard copy forms will only be used if the study was previously approved as a
hard copy format. Please discuss with your PI: http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/forms/mod.html
c. Consent form templates: http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/forms/consent.html
d. Protocol development and other IRB document guidance:
http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/guidance/index.html
5. There are two campus IRB’s, where do I send my application, protocol, and supporting
materials for review?
Newark Campus students: Submit to the Newark IRB

New Brunswick Campus students: Submit to the New Brunswick IRB.
It should be noted that some application/protocols may need to be reviewed and approved by
other IRB’s depending on the location of the project. For example, Fieldwork projects taking place
at the New Jersey State Department of Health require their own review and approval process in
addition to the University IRB process. Please work with your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor, Site
Preceptor, and Graduate Practicum Director regarding this issue if applicable.
6. How long does IRB material have to be kept?

At a minimum, IRB documents have to be kept for six years after the study has been completed.
These documents include: 1) a copy of the signed IRB application, 2) the one-page IRB protocol
Page 27 of 32
APPENDIX E
approval notice, 3) annual IRB continuation approval, 4) each and every Informed Consent, and
5) a copy of the “Termination of Research Project” form.
7. Who has to keep/secure the IRB documents?

These documents are the responsibility of the PI if he/she is a faculty member. If the PI is a
student, copies of these documents must be deposited with the Graduate Practicum Director, to
be stored in a locked file.
8. How do you define “study completion” given that records must be kept for six years after
study completion?
As per SPH Policy “study completion” will be understood as the date of approval by the Fieldwork
Faculty Advisor of the final Fieldwork report.
9. Who must sign off on a student IRB application?

The student, the Department Chair and the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor. If the Department Chair is
listed as the PI or Co-Investigator, the Dean or Research Dean, must sign the application. DON’T
FORGET: Additional signatures are needed for the financial disclosure form. ***New
submissions only***: This is done electronically.
10. Do the original data set and research related materials (i.e. paper surveys, samples,
specimens) need to be kept at Rutgers School of Public Health?
Yes, all original data sets and related research materials must be kept at Rutgers School of Public
Health or will adhere to the language as stipulated in the approved IRB protocol regarding the
project. Students may retain a copy of de-identified data sets (if applicable) and related materials
for their records.
11. Where can I get help with my IRB questions?

All IRB applications should be completed with the guidance of the student’s Fieldwork Faculty
Advisor. Also, the IRB Office Staff has agreed to “pre-review” IRB applications to help facilitate
the review process. Each campus as a point of contact for SPH applications and protocols, they
are as follows:
Newark IRB Office:

Apryl Hamid, MPH
Program Assistant
973-972-0869
p. 973-972-5267
ajanuary@ca.rutgers.edu
http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/contactus/nwkIrb.html
Piscataway/New Brunswick IRB Office:

Mila Babaev, BA
Program Assistant
p. 732-235-9809
lb664@ca.rutgers.edu
http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/hsweb/contactus/nbIrb.html
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Retrieved on October 11, 2011 http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/irb/index.html
Page 28 of 32
APPENDIX F
Final Fieldwork Report/Dean’s Review Deadlines and Due Dates
Newark Campus
The following deadlines are to assist and guide each student in his/her timeline towards completion of
the Fieldwork requirements and, ultimately, the MPH degree:
Fieldwork Project Due Dates
Graduation Month Semester Final Paper Due Date Dean’s Review of Fieldwork
January Fall 3rd week of November 2nd week of December
May Spring 3rd week of March 2nd week of April
October Summer 3rd week of August 2nd week of September
The goal of the final paper is to summarize the Fieldwork experience with a written report of the project
or research study. The student should write the paper at the end of their Fieldwork experience then
submit a copy to their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor and to the Graduate Practicum Director. The length
and scope of the written report will vary depending upon the project undertaken and the requirements
of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor; although a typical, well written paper is generally over 15 pages.
Sample outlines for the final paper are included in the appendix of this handbook. Any questions about
the final paper may be addressed to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor or the Graduate Practicum Director;
however, final determination of the paper is at the discretion of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor.
The Dean’s Review of Fieldwork is the oral presentation of the Fieldwork project to Associate Deans,
Fieldwork Faculty Advisors, Graduate Practicum Director, fellow students, and faculty members, Site
Preceptors and other staff. The presentation is the culminating event of the Fieldwork experience and is
offered three times during the year. Presentations are approximately 10 to 15 minutes in length and
may follow the format for the APHA scientific sessions.
In order to present at the Dean’s Review, the student must have approval from the Fieldwork Faculty
Advisor and the Graduate Practicum Director. A copy of the final report must be submitted electronically
to the Graduate Practicum Director.
The Graduate Practicum Director will make announcements by email and at Fieldwork seminars about
due dates for final reports, abstract, professional bio, PowerPoint presentations and the date(s) of the
presentations.
*Note: Students will not be allowed to present at the Dean’s Review if they fail to submit all required
documents to the Graduate Practicum Director by the appointed deadlines.
Page 29 of 32
APPENDIX F
Final Fieldwork Report/Dean’s Review Deadlines and Due Dates
The Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentation Date(s) will be announced at the beginning of each
semester via email. Please refer to the chart below regarding general presentation timeframes by
semester. Subsequent reminders will be sent throughout the semester.
Students must be given clearance by their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor to present their project.
Please note that students who have been given approval from their Fieldwork Faculty Advisor to
present their project, abstracts must be sent (electronically) to the Graduate Practicum Director
approximately three (3) weeks before the presentation date and PowerPoint presentation slides must
be sent, at least, 24 hours before scheduled presentation date.
When submitting Fieldwork paper drafts and final version to your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor for review
and comments; please be sure to include your Site Preceptor and the Graduate Practicum Director in
the email distribution.
Please see the table below re: paper deadlines.
Fieldwork Paper Due Dates and Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentations

Completion Paper Draft Final Paper Scheduled
Month Semester Due Date Due Date Presentation
January Fall November 1st December 1st January
May Spring April 1st May 1st May
October Summer August 1st September 1st September
If the final report is not received at the time specified in the contract, the project must be extended to
the next semester, the Fieldwork contract must be modified and the student must register for the
relevant Fieldwork Continuation course.
A copy of the final report must be submitted electronically to the Graduate Practicum Director on the
evening of the Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentations. Please refer to Appendix A regarding the
Checklist for Required Fieldwork Deliverables.
Page 30 of 32
APPENDIX G
Additional Resources for Written Report and Presentation
A fundamental part of any Fieldwork project is the dissemination of the results that emerge from the
study. The most common way to communicate the results of your efforts to a larger audience is by
either publishing the results in a journal article or by giving an oral or poster presentation.
Writing Scientific Papers and the Literature Review

The final product of your Fieldwork practicum is the written report. Your Fieldwork Faculty Advisor will
assist you on your way to creating a paper that is comprehensible, compelling and suitable for
publication. Aside from your department recommended outlines and requirements, the following links
might be helpful in providing insight into the structure and format of your paper.
The Literature Review

http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review
Writing Tips and Resources

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
A Student’s Guide to Writing in the Biological Sciences

http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic249275.files/BioSci_Writing_Guide.pdf
Introduction to Journal-Style Scientific Writing

http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWgeneral.html
Academic Writing: Scientific Report

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/ScienceReport.html
APA Style Lite for College Papers

https://www.icahdq.org/pubs/apacrib.pdf
Effective Presentations
For the purposes of Fieldwork, the oral presentation is the chosen method employed to illustrate your
project to faculty, Site Preceptors and your peers. In addition, the skills needed to prepare a Fieldwork
presentation can be used in a variety of other settings
The following links are provided to assist you in your effort to make as good a presentation as possible.
Effective presentations combine three key components:

• Delivery
• Content
• Visuals
Pay attention to these four concepts:

• Make it BIG
• Keep it Simple
• Make it Clear
• Be Consistent
PowerPoint Presentations. Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Academic Technology Center. 10 modules

on PowerPoint 2003: Creating a Presentation with PowerPoint; Best Practices for Presentation Design;
Formatting Master Slides; Organizing and Previewing Slides; Inserting Graphics and Images; Inserting
Video and Audio Clips; Recording Narration; Animation and Slide Transitions; Printing Slides,
Page 31 of 32
APPENDIX G
Handouts, and Notes; and Giving a Live Presentation.
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collaboratory/HowTo/PowerPoint/
Designing Effective Visuals. Jeff Radel and Carol Massoth, University of Kansas Medical Center,
provide many resources for developing and designing oral and visual presentations as well as poster
presentations. http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Effective_visuals/VisStrt.html
Nick's PowerPoint Handouts. Nick Dvorcek. An extensive collection of PowerPoint resources covering
both basic and advanced topics from an expert in media services.
http://idea.uwosh.edu/nick/usingppt.htm
Power Point 2007 Tutorial. Florida Gulf Coast University. A dozen graphical lessons covering Getting
Started, the Power Point Screen, Working with Slides, Adding Content, Working with Text, Color
Schemes, Graphics, Slide Effects, Master Slides, Saving and Printing (including saving as a web page);
Keyboard shortcuts and Tips (design and presentation basics).
http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2007/ppt/index.asp
Created by D. Holland, MPH, CHES, REHS and M. Kennedy, MPH, CHES

Fall, 2008
Last Updated: February 17, 2016
Page 32 of 32

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FIELDWORK HANDBOOK

New Brunswick Campus

Last Updated February 2016

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 1

APPENDIX B: Checklist for Required Fieldwork Deliverables .................................................... 21

APPENDIX C: Recommended Outline for the Final Fieldwork Project Report

APPENDIX D: Recommended Abstract Submission Format ...................................................... 26

APPENDIX E: Institutional Review Board Protocol Submission Policies and Contact

APPENDIX F: Final Fieldwork Report/Dean’s Review Deadlines and Due Dates

APPENDIX G: Additional Resources for Written Report and Presentations ................................ 31

The purpose of Fieldwork is to provide the student with an opportunity to:

Overview of Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II

Students are permitted to register for Fieldwork II Continuation only once.

Fieldwork III Continuation

Eligibility to Register for Fieldwork

Please visit the following link for Department specific guidance:

Please visit the following link for Department specific guidance:

Choosing a Fieldwork Project and Site

Fieldwork Seminar Sessions

Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP)

NEWARK CAMPUS STUDENTS ONLY

Initial Registration for NEW Learners

Refresher Requirements for CITI

Amending an Existing Protocol through Modification

Five Categories of Fieldwork Research Projects Do not Require IRB Approval:

Who makes this determination?

Continuing with Research after Graduation

External IRB Agency Review

Please see Appendix E for IRB campus contact information,

Fieldwork Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

Other responsibilities of the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor include:

Site Preceptor Responsibilities

Final Fieldwork Report

Dean’s Review of Fieldwork Presentations

Please see campus specific appendices for details regarding the

Fieldwork I & Self-Assessment

Site Preceptor & Student Assessment

Graduate Practicum Director Contact Information

New Brunswick Campus

Fieldwork Contract and Proposal Form

Please submit completed documents to the Graduate Practicum Director by campus:

Newark New Brunswick

Phone(s): [Phone #'s of Site Preceptor] Fieldwork Faculty Advisor(s) Name(s):

II. Project Title and Proposal: [Enter Title Name]

III. Work Plan and Time Frame of Fieldwork

Fieldwork Schedule: Approximate Total Number Fieldwork II No. of Credits by Semester:

IV. Objectives of Proposed Project

Fieldwork Faculty Advisor: [Please Inital Here]

VI. Site Preceptor:

Site Preceptor: [Please Inital Here]

Fieldwork Faculty Advisor: [Please Inital Here]

b. What type of IRB submission is needed for the Fieldwork project?

[If Non-IRB review—please initial below]

c. When will the protocol be submitted for review?

d. Which campus IRB will review the application?

Student: [Please Inital Here]

VIII. Other Stipulations of the Fieldwork Contract & Proposal:

[Insert Initials] (Fieldwork Faculty Advisor initials required)

XI. Further Agreement: