One of the positive trends in medical education research is that it continues to show improvement in methodological strength¹ despite challenges to funding.² Examples can be found for medical education studies that exemplify rigorous standards for survey studies, observational studies, and randomized controlled trials. However, rather than determining the effects of education on action, studies tend to focus on more easily determined measures of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and the educational process.

JAMA continues its annual focus on this important topic with the next theme issue on medical education, which will be published September 6, 2006. We invite authors to submit manuscripts related to all aspects of the educational endeavor. As in recent years, we are interested in demonstrations of novel educational research methodologies that establish rigorous approaches to the unique challenges of conducting this . . . [Full Text of this Article]