Objective To investigate and analyze the research ability of residents in Shanghai Tongji Hospital standardized residency training base. Methods An electronic questionnaire survey was condcuted among 68 residents in the standardized residency training base of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, which included basic information, research status, and research needs. Results Only 16.8% residents had undertaken scientific research projects, 55.88% residents had participated in scientific research projects, and 38.24% residents had scientific research outputs. More than 80% reported inadequate systematic scientific research training, but more than 60% were interested in scientific research work, and more than half of them were in urgent need of support in all aspects of scientific research. Conclusion In the selected hospital, 72.68% residents with standardized residency training have undertaken (16.8%) and participated in (55.88%) scientific research projects, and more than half of the residents show urgent need of support in all aspects of scientific research. It is suggested that residents focus on scientific research ability building， and schools and medical institutions give residents enough support in scientific research work to improve their scientific research ability and train them to become excellent doctors， teachers, and researchers in the future.