Research Associate

Job Summary/Basic Function:
Project Description: The SISTEM Study: Success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is funded by the National Science Foundation. The main goal of the study is to increase understanding of the underlying factors behind the under-representation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. We are also exploring factors related to the under-representation of minority boys in STEM. In particular, we are focusing on the multiple influences on urban girls' and boys' educational experiences and aspirations related to STEM study and career development by investigating the social relationships of students attending a variety of high schools within a large urban school district. This is a social-ecological study of gender and relational support and the association of these variables to persistence outcomes in STEM for high school students. This longitudinal project uses mixed-methods to answer our research questions as we follow students through three years of high school. The project is currently about to begin its second year of data collection. This is a part-time job of 10 to 14 hours per week. The Research Associate fulfills a supportive role in various research tasks including assistance with data collection, analysis, presentation, and writing up of results. This position calls for a person who can work independently and take initiative in keeping up with major and minor tasks on the project. Duties of participation in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis require excellent attention to detail. Training will be provided along with regular check-ins to ensure that any questions and concerns are addressed. As a member of our research team, we expect that the Research Associate will extend and receive cooperation and support within this context. Research Duties *assistance with data collection activities, including survey collection, and focus group and individual interviews (a car is necessary for these tasks) *assistance with data cleaning and statistical analysis *assistance with verification of interview data and qualitative analysis *assistance with tracking of participants in longitudinal study Analysis Duties *statistical programming (SAS or SPSS) for inferential analyses; initial analyses will be cross-sectional and final analyses will use growth modeling to track change over time *qualitative analysis of focus group and individual interview data, coding, and writing up interpretive results *use of qualitative software, assistance with coding and computer-aided analysis (training will be provided as necessary) *combined analysis of statistical and qualitative data to provide results that describe patterns of persistence in STEM and processes of relational support and gender ideology *assistance with development of professional presentations, reports, and publications; opportunities for joint authorship on publications

Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Computer and Communication Skills *Data Analysis: experience with SAS or SPSS, intermediate understanding of statistics *Spreadsheets: familiarity with Excel required; ACCESS is preferred *Experience with qualitative programs such as ATLAS.Ti or N-VIVO is helpful *Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

Posting Date:
12-06-2007

Closing Date:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Org.
7216

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