The Office of Student Research’s research fellowship and research assistant funding program is cancelled for the 2022-23 academic year.
The OSR began funding research assistant positions as a way for students to gain familiarity with research and inquiry skills and design and exposure to project development, while allowing faculty to better align mentoring and research activities. Faculty should assign a scope of work according to the needs of the project and selecting students with experience corresponding to this level. Please note that this is intended for student involvement in research, inquiry and creative work and is not for office no coordination work.
Depending on students’ preparation, faculty may assign a more holistic project (such as completing a literature review or leading analysis on a data set) or more isolated data collection and analysis tasks. At the conclusion of the research assistant position, students should have received mentorship to employ and build skills beyond their existing level. Their work should be sufficiently comprehensive to develop a research report and/or presentation.
What is the purpose of the OSR Research Assistant program?
All OSR research assistant awards are intended to familiarize students with the research and inquiry processes at different levels through mentored research. While some research will undoubtedly require more advanced skills, the OSR particularly values opportunities that bolster undergraduate students’ research skills and ability to design projects to answer research questions.
When can work take place?
Awards will be made for work taking place during the Spring and Summer 2023 semesters (up until August 8, 2023).
What is the award amount?
Award amounts range between $1000-1500 per student depending on the time commitment, availability of funding and level of work. Where appropriate, faculty may divide total awards among multiple students for a single project.
Is there any conflict if students arrange to receive Independent Study credit for the same work?
There is no conflict, however the Independent Study process should go through the department. The OSR does not need to be involved (unless some acknowledgement of OSR research funding participation is necessary).
How will the awards be paid? Will faculty have to approve time sheets?
Payments will be made as stipends and will not require hourly reporting/time sheet completion. Faculty are responsible for monitoring student work and working hours.
What are the expectations for student tasks?
The student should be involved in research tasks directly, this is not an administrative assistant position.
Are all students eligible?
• Students must be enrolled at Roosevelt to be eligible.
• Awards may go to graduate students who have not yet completed an MA. In special circumstances, awards may be made to more advanced graduate students. Such fellowships may not fund research that will contribute to the student’s thesis or dissertation.
Graduate students receiving Graduate Assistantships are not eligible.
Who selects the students receiving the research assistantship?
For 2023 year, faculty select students. This process may change somewhat in future years.
What other requirements are in place?
• For Human Subjects research: Research conducted through the University must be carried out in keeping with ethical norms and federal regulations. Student work on proposed research involving the use of human subjects requires approval (via amendment to existing protocols) from Roosevelt University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Please contact RU’s IRB Administrator, Deidra Somerville at dsomerville@roosevelt.edu with questions.
If IRB approval is required for a project (whether a new application or an amendment to include a student on an existing protocol), funding will not be dispersed until IRB approval is confirmed.
-Students awarded the fellowship will be asked to fill out a Learning Agreement with their faculty mentor. However, during the application preparation process, students and mentors should clarify the expected outcomes are, the role each plays in this process, and the best way to communicate.
Faculty are expected to establish routine meeting times to supervise student work.
Student work may be carried out remotely, if appropriate.
What type of reporting is required?
All award recipients are expected to turn in a final, stand-alone research or creative inquiry product. That is, a demonstration of the work conducted that does not require the student be present to provide an additional narrative.
Awards recipients are expected to work with faculty mentors and OSR staff to establish expectations for a final product for their specific project. Research and Scholarship Fellowship recipients are expected to participate in the Annual Research Day during or following the position.