Do you have interest in pursuing research or have you been involved in research in the past?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

When answering this question, it is essential to be honest with your feelings for research while also knowing the position you are applying for and what that organization may be looking for regarding research. Interviewing for a job at an academic institution will require some passion for research. Conversely, the desire to do research may be a hindrance while interviewing for a position with a private practice. Let the interviewer know your stance on research and any expertise you have with it in the past.

"While I have been exposed to research through my training program, my current career goal is patient care. I want to focus my career on that as a new psychiatrist in this position that you have available. However, once I gain hands-on experience and have some time under my belt, I would be interested in researching autism."

"I have a very strong interest in pursuing research at a higher level. While going through my psychiatric training program, I conducted extensive research on the effects of medicinal marijuana on patients with severe depression. While research has always intrigued me, I've been away from it for five years and am hoping to use my knowledge and research method skills in this position."

"As you can see on my CV, I have been heavily involved in research treating mood disorders. I have several published studies that I am extremely proud of, and I look forward to continuing my work by bringing my current research to your institution. I firmly believe that sound research in our field will advance our treatment techniques in the future, and I want to be a part of that."

Anonymous Answer

"I started my psychiatry career as a researcher. I began working with Dr. Schnur at Elmhurst Hospital Center and performed a psychiatric assessment using research scales such as PAANS, BPRS, YMRS, CGI, etc. Encouraged with the learning a new subject and interaction with patients helped me to choose psychiatry as my career. As a part of the curriculum, I think I decided outstanding topics of research during my externship, residency, and fellowship. My passion for research leads to publishing a few articles recently, which gives me more confident though it is on a smaller scale. If there is any chance to do the research, I will be willing to participate in a study in addition to the clinical care of my patients."

Kevin's Feedback

Fantastic response! I made some revisions to your wording and sentence structure. You mentioned your externship, residency, and fellowship; keep those experiences in the forefront of your mind, since preliminary interview questions scratch the surface of an interviewee's experience. You want to give specific examples of knowledge (which you clearly answer in your response), but you can elaborate in-person by discussing your externship, residency, and fellowship. You want to grab the interviewer's attention, yet not discuss all experiences at once.

"I have an affinity for research, as it was the start of my career tract in psychiatry. I gained research experience in psychiatric research scales such as PAANS, BPRS, YMRS, and CGI under the direction of Dr. Shnur of the Elmhurst Hospital Center. My passion for research has led to a few published articles as well. If given the opportunity, I am willing to participate in research projects as well as clinical care."