ABS Research Policy

I. ABS Research Mission Statement

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) conducts research, both internally and collaboratively, to assess the value of initial and continuous certification and to understand the relationship of certification to surgical training, clinical practice, lifelong learning, and assessment.

II. Procedure for Submitting Research Proposals

The ABS accepts proposals from individuals and organizations requesting data and/or analytic support from the ABS. Priority is given to requests that align with the mission of the ABS and its research agenda. Projects that are not necessarily aligned with the ABS research agenda may be considered on an individual basis. The ABS considers the following topics to be high priorities for research:

• Training and maintaining a diverse workforce capable of caring for a diverse society
• The value of ABS certification (e.g., linking board certification to clinical outcomes, practice site, population served, etc.)
• Evaluation of ABS Continuous Certification Program across a variety of metrics from perception to clinical outcomes
• Residency training (e.g., quality of training, competency-based assessment via Entrustable Professional Activities, factors related to exam success, focused practice)
• Relationship between quality improvement activities and clinical outcomes and experience (e.g., video-based assessment)
• Psychometrics (evaluating psychometric processes for setting optimal exam standards)

Proposals must be submitted to the ABS with a summary of the proposed project via the Research Request Form with a summary of the proposed project. Please note: Completing this form will require that you sign in with a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, please email ABS Director of Psychometrics and Research Carol Barry, Ph.D., for information on how to submit a research proposal.

The ABS Research Committee meets quarterly to evaluate proposals and make determinations regarding ABS approval for the project. All proposals will be subject to a Data Use Agreement (DUA) and the ABS may also require remuneration for projects that require staff resources.

Updated: March 2023