Assessment of NIH Minority Research and Training Programs Phase 3 (2005) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
7 Findings and Recommendations
7 Findings and Recommendations
Pages 151-164
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 151... ...
For this study, the committee was charged with (1) assessing how well these NIH minority research training programs work; (2)
|
From page 152... ...
152 Assessment of NIH Minority Research Training Programs: Phase 3 committee believes this is a matter of policy that is best addressed by NIH once legitimate program evaluation becomes feasible. Findings Data Collection and Accountability In the course of assessing NIH's minority research training programs, the study committee engaged in a lengthy and detailed information-gathering process.
|
From page 153... ...
The committee experienced additional difficulty at the outset of the study, because it was unable to obtain a comprehensive listing of minority research training programs, current or past, supported by NIH. Perhaps due to the distributed nature of the NIH campus, the independence of the ICs, and the dynamic nature with which programming is offered or retired, no one at NIH maintains such a list.
|
From page 154... ...
At the study's outset in 2001, the committee convened a meeting of minority training IC representatives on the NIH campus to discuss the administration of these minority research training programs. The IC representatives commented that it was the first time they had ever met in the same room with their programmatic colleagues.
|
From page 155... ...
1997. Assessment of NIH Minority Research/Training Programs: Phase 2.
|
From page 156... ...
Minority Training Programs: What Works and What Doesn't? The committee concludes that underrepresented minorities are entering the biomedical workforce as a direct result of the NIH minority research training programs.
|
From page 157... ...
Such support came in the form of stipends, summer research, and conference travel support. Funding was, for graduate trainees, frequently cited as a best feature.
|
From page 158... ...
This is a red flag to which NIH should pay attention especially in the context of the already low numbers of minority trainees at this relatively advanced career stage. Training in the biomedical sciences historically assumes that if one is trained, one will therefore be a good trainer (mentor)
|
From page 159... ...
Given that one-half of the minority postdoctoral survey respondents reported having no mentor at all, one wonders what factors are at play in these training environments that affect minority trainee outcomes so profoundly. In its efforts to train a new generation of minority research scientists, NIH is by definition effecting change, however small, in minority communities.
|
From page 160... ...
Two examples of minority training programs that emphasize talent harvesting include the National Institute of Mental Health Career Opportunities in Research Training and Education (COR) and the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
|
From page 161... ...
The meetings should at a minimum address the following issues: · Clarification of NIH training policies regarding trainee recruitment and documentation of program activities and results; · Discussion of the range of IC training program characteristics; · Sharing of trainee recruitment strategies; · Identification of effective elements of IC training programs; · Review of IC evaluation results; and · Development of long term objectives for addressing workforce needs and increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in science. The committee of minority training program coordinators should establish appropriate guidelines and measures for evaluating NIH minority research training programs.
|
From page 162... ...
The Office of the Director at NIH should take the lead on this. The numerous, weighty, and very public issues regarding affirmative action that are raised by targeted research training programs require continuing attention by a consortium of the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Office of Extramural Programs, the institutes and centers that fund such training programs, and the NIH Office of the Director.
|
From page 163... ...
Findings and Recommendations 163 NIH should develop a relational database that collects a minimum data set (MDS) for all persons who receive funding as trainees, fellows, research assistants, or postdoctorates, including those programs targeted to underrepresented minorities.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.