Outcomes of the Student Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) Program

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazmul Islam ◽  
Amy A. Weimer
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Student Mentors

Engaging undergraduate students in research not only improves discipline-specific knowledge and skillsets, but also exposes them to increased research-related career paths, and motivates their pursuit of graduate study. With an interest in increasing these outcomes among students, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) developed the Student Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) program. The primary objective of the program was to provide an increasing number of undergraduate student (UG) research opportunities by building triadic teams comprised of (1) a faculty mentor, (2) a graduate student assistant, and (3) at least three undergraduate students. By utilizing graduate student mentors, in collaboration with faculty researchers, an increased number of undergraduates could benefit from participation in these experiential learning opportunities. SMART also encouraged graduate student professional development as each graduate student oversaw a research project and was responsible for mentoring the UGs over a five-week period of employment. Three professional development workshops were implemented for graduate mentors. Workshops focused on teaching graduate students best practices in teaching of research skills, and building motivation, teamwork, and leadership. Pre- and post-test surveys were used to assess program effectiveness. Findings are reported on SMART program outcomes, which include analyses of quantitative and qualitative data collected from undergraduate student mentees and graduate student mentors during the first year of program implementation.

Repetita Iuvant? A Repeated Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of an At-Scale Teacher Professional Development Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 0193841X2110553
Author(s):  
Giovanni Abbiati ◽  
Gianluca Argentin ◽  
Andrea Caputo ◽  
Aline Pennisi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Collaboration ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Background A recent stream of literature recognizes the impact of good/poor implementation on the effectiveness of programs. However, implementation is often disregarded in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because they are run on a small scale. Replicated RCTs, although rare, provide a unique opportunity to study the relevance of implementation for program effectiveness. Objectives Evaluating the effectiveness of an at-scale professional development program for lower secondary school math teachers through two repeated RCTs. Research Design The program lasts a full school year and provides innovative methods for teaching math. The evaluation was conducted on two cohorts of teachers in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 school years. The program and RCTs were held at scale. Participating teachers and their classes were followed for 3 years. Impact is estimated by comparing the math scores of treatment and control students. Subjects The evaluation involved 195 teachers and their 3940 students (first cohort) and 146 teachers and their 2858 students (second cohort). Measures The key outcome is students’ math achievement, measured through standardized assessment. Results In the first wave, the program did not impact on students’ achievement, while in the second wave, a positive, persistent, and not insignificant effect was found. After excluding other sources of change, different findings across waves are interpreted in the light of improvements in the program implementation, such as enrollment procedure, teacher collaboration, and integration of innovation in daily teaching. Conclusions Repeated assessment of interventions already at-scale provides the opportunity to better identify and correct sources of weak implementation, potentially improving effectiveness.

scholarly journals The Epistemic Importance of Novices: How Undergraduate Students Contribute to Engineering Laboratory Communities

2021 ◽  
pp. 145-162
Author(s):  
Caitlin Donahue Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Faculty Member ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Mutual Learning ◽  
Research Communities

AbstractScholars and practitioners have long viewed learners as works-in-progress and as somewhat empty vessels to be filled with appropriate knowledge and skills to become future expert practitioners. However, based on an ethnography of two engineering laboratories, I found that laboratory members regularly swap the roles of learner and instructor, regardless of their status as an undergraduate student, a graduate student, or a faculty member. Furthermore, undergraduate students make crucial contributions to their research communities in the form of knowledge, creativity, and opportunities for other members to learn and build relationships through teaching. What, then, do the identities of “novice” and “expert” mean in practice? I argue that it is more productive to define the identity of a community based on mutual learning and epistemic exchange rather than on expertise.

Mental, Physical, and Financial Health Concerns of Underrepresented Undergraduate Students During Initial Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Nelson ◽  
Matt Honore ◽  
Jen Lindwall ◽  
Arjun Viray ◽  
Lisa Marriott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Research Training ◽  
High Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Research Training Program

In April 2020, at the onset of COVID-19 in the U.S., we implemented a weekly survey of underrepresented undergraduate students participating in a biomedical research training program. The 10-week survey collected qualitative and quantitative data on mental health, physical health, and financial health. Responses indicated high stress during the pandemic, particularly during the survey’s final weeks which occurred during a period of social unrest. Physical health declined throughout the survey, stabilizing in its final weeks. Financial health declined initially and stayed low throughout. Students from certain demographic groups, such as first generation college students and those with dependents were disproportionately impacted. Qualitative responses highlighted the intersectionality of the three constructs and illustrated the impacts of these events.

Skin Color Matters in the Latinx Community: A Call for Action in Research, Training, and Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 073998632199591
Author(s):  
Milton A. Fuentes ◽  
Jazmin A. Reyes-Portillo ◽  
Petty Tineo ◽  
Kenny Gonzalez ◽  
Mamona Butt
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Training And Research

While skin color is relevant and important in the Latinx community, as it is associated with colorism, little is known about how often it is measured or the best way to measure it. This article presents results from two studies examining these key concerns in three prominent journals, where Latinx research is typically published (i.e., the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, the Journal of Latinx Psychology, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology). Study one examined whether skin color was measured as a variable, and if so, what measures and methodologies were used. A review of articles ( n = 1,137) showed few studies measured skin color in these three journals, with studies that did so relying on various approaches. Study two aimed to assess the reliability of a widely used skin color measure, the Massey-Martin scale, also known as the New Immigrant Survey (NIS) Skin Scale. Using a sample of 169 undergraduate students, self-ratings, coder ratings, and in vivo ratings were obtained and compared. One-way random effects model analyses indicated excellent reliability with minimal variability across the various ratings. Our findings suggest a critical need to engage in a more concerted effort to assess and discuss the relevance and importance of skin color within the Latinx community. The authors offer some suggestions on how to facilitate these efforts in clinical, training, and research arenas.

scholarly journals Building sustainable research capacity at higher learning institutions in Tanzania through mentoring of the Young Research Peers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Balandya ◽  
Bruno Sunguya ◽  
Daniel W. Gunda ◽  
Benson Kidenya ◽  
Tumaini Nyamhanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Scientific Presentation ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Young Researchers

Abstract Background Sustainability of research culture in Sub-Saharan Africa is threatened in part by the lack of a critical mass of young researchers with the requisite skills and interest to undertake research careers. This paper describes an intensive mentorship programme combining hierarchical (vertical) and peer-to-peer (horizontal) mentoring strategies among young researchers in a resource limited setting in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A consortium of three partnering large Tanzanian health training institutions (MUHAS, CUHAS and KCMUCo) and two collaborating US institutions (UCSF and Duke University) was formed as part of the five-year Transforming Health Professions Education in Tanzania (THET) project, funded by the NIH through Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative (HEPI). Within THET, the Community of Young Research Peers (CYRP) was formed, comprising of inter-professional and cross-institutional team of 12 Master-level Young Research Peers and 10 co-opted fellows from the former MEPI-Junior Faculty (MEPI-JF) project. The Young Peers received mentorship from senior researchers from the consortium through mentored research awards and research training, and in turn provided reciprocal peer-to-peer mentorship as well as mentorship to undergraduate students. Results At the end of the first 2 years of the project, all 12 Young Peers were proceeding well with mentored research awards, and some were at more advanced stages. For example, three articles were already published in peer reviewed journals and two other manuscripts were in final stages of preparation. All 12 Young Peers participated in CYRP-wide thematic training workshops on mentoring and secondary data analysis; 11 had undertaken at least three research training short courses in identified areas of need; 9 joined at least one other ongoing research project; 5 made at least one scientific presentation, and 5 participated in at least one submitted grant application. Half of the Young Peers have enrolled in PhD programmes. A collective total of 41 undergraduate students were actively mentored by the Young Peers in research. Conclusion The CYRP has demonstrated to be an effective model for dual vertical and horizontal mentorship in research to young investigators in resource-limited settings. This model is recommended to educators working on developing research competence of early career researchers, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals The feasibility of implementing an English language version of GLA:D Back

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lemieux ◽  
G. Kawchuk ◽  
A. Kongsted ◽  
J. Hartvigsen ◽  
V. Abdollah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Care Package ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Evidence Based Care

Abstract Background Evidenced-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) consistently suggest educating patients about their back pain, its natural course, and providing advice to keep active and continue working. Despite this evidence, clinicians routinely do not follow these recommendations resulting in ineffective and fragmented care. GLA:D® Back, a standardized care package, was originally developed in Denmark to assist clinicians in implementing evidence-based care. This study will evaluate the feasibility of implementing the English version of the Danish GLA:D® Back program in Alberta, Canada. Methods Thirty-five clinicians from nineteen clinics in Alberta, Canada, participated. Feasibility of program implementation, our primary objective, was evaluated within 3 months. Feasibility success was defined as 50% clinician/clinic adoption in addition to 66–88 enrolled participants registered in the database. Our secondary objectives included collecting data pertaining to clinician confidence, attitudes and behaviour of treating patients, perceived barriers and facilitators of program in addition to collecting patient-data regarding pain, function, general health and self-efficacy. Results The majority of the clinics (15/19, 79%) offered GLA:D® Back to their patients within the study period. Of the participating clinicians, GLA:D® Back was delivered by (25/35, 71%) of clinicians. In total, 78 patients were enrolled in the program and (69/78, 88%) participants attended the final assessment. Secondarily, clinicians demonstrated a biomedical and behavioural orientation along with high confidence when treating LBP patients while patient outcomes trended toward improvement. Conclusion The English translation of the Danish GLA:D Back program was feasible for Albertan clinicians to implement into practice in both urban and rural settings.

What Implementation Components Predict Positive Outcomes in a Parenting Program?

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Míriam Álvarez ◽  
María José Rodrigo ◽  
Sonia Byrne
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Participant Responsiveness ◽  
Program Adherence ◽  
Quality Of Delivery

Objectives: To examine the components affecting the quality of the implementation and their impact on the outcomes of the “Growing Up Happily in the Family” program targeted at parents with children aged 0–5. Method: At-risk and non-at-risk parents ( N = 196) participated in 26 groups in local social services. Adherence, adaptations, quality of delivery, group and participant responsiveness, and implementation barriers were examined as predictors of attendance rate and changes in parental child-rearing attitudes, parental sense of competence, and parenting stress using hierarchical linear regressions analyses. Results: Greater participant responsiveness and fewer implementation barriers predicted higher attendance rates. These implementation variables, as well as greater program adherence, fewer crucial adaptations, and better didactic functioning of the sessions, predicted positive parental changes. Conclusions: The level of implementation contributes to the program effectiveness, suggesting the need to provide a high-quality and well-coordinated implementation to achieve the intended program outcomes in child welfare populations.

scholarly journals Post-Graduate Training and Professional Development: Exploring the Nexus Between Self Compassion and Compassion Fatigue Among Mental Health Clinicians Working With Trauma Survivors

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Arkadie ◽  
Allen E. Lipscomb
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Self Compassion

Mental health clinicians who work with clients who have experienced severe trauma are at greater risk of developing compassion fatigue. Limited prior research investigated the relationship between self-compassion and compassion fatigue. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to assess the relationships of self-compassion and duration of professional service to compassion fatigue among licensed mental health clinicians who worked with clients that have experienced trauma in southern California. Two research questions asked whether self-compassion and duration of professional service were significantly related to compassion fatigue. The researcher collected primary data for the variables of interest via an online survey using two validated instruments, SCS-SF and ProQOL-Version 5. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of (n = 67) licensed mental health clinicians who resided in southern California. The results of non-parametric Kendall’s tau-b correlations revealed a significant inverse correlation between self-compassion and compassion fatigue, τb = -0.273, p = .002. The correlation between duration of professional service and compassion fatigue was nonsignificant, τb = -0.104, p = .299. These results are vital and relevant to the field as they justify further research, training and professional development in this area, leading to the development of clinical interventions that are needed to mitigate compassion fatigue symptoms among this population.

scholarly journals EFEKTIVITAS PROGRAM USAHA PENINGKATAN PENDAPATAN KELUARGA SEJAHTERA (UPPKS) UNTUK PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MISKIN

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Muntaha Mardhatillah
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
Internal Constraints ◽  
Weak Supervision ◽  
External Constraints ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Government ◽  
Foster Father

BKKBN as an organizer of family empowerment of the government to create a program Families Economic Empowerment by forming a group container (UPPKS), which is in its implementation in the city of Padang Panjang still encountered a number of problems. The purpose of this research is to determine the level of program effectiveness (UPPKS) in empowering the poor in Padang Panjang city, here are also seen what obstacles are encountered during program implementation and what efforts can be made to overcome these obstacles. The method used in this research is mixed methods were used to measure the effectiveness of the UPPKS program using the model of evaluation CIPO by Stufflebeam, then to get deeper conclusions regarding the results of the study used qualitative methods through observation and interviews. The research findings indicate that the effectiveness program (UPPKS) for empowerment of the poor in Padang Panjang been effective with 70.55% good category. Although the implementation of the program UPPKS in accordance with existing procedures but has not been fully able to improve the welfare of its members. This can be seen with still found some constraints in implementation, obstacles encountered can be categorized into two forms of internal constraints and external constraints. Internal constraints such as: weak supervision of the program, the lack of capital coming from the government, coaching is not evenly distributed. External constraints such as: the use of aid funds is not maximized, the lack of creativity and innovation groups in finding and utilizing financial resources, delays in repayment of the loan. Efforts are made to overcome these obstacles is to involve family welfare III acted as a foster father in group, guidance, and constraints derived from program participants made efforts such as mentoring, conducting proactive system for members jammed in payments.

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