Approaches for Evaluating the NRC Resident Research Associateship Program at NIST (2007) / Chapter Skim
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3 Research Associates’ Experiences
3 Research Associates’ Experiences
Pages 61-79
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From page 61... ...
Current RAs seemed to refer to the NIST/NRC RAP in terms of their recent academic experience and while some of them reported that their colleagues treated them as equals, others felt like they were the "lowest on the totem pole." Internal review of manuscripts was also seen as something of a burden, again perhaps in reference to graduate school, although participants noted that in practice the delay caused by internal review was not long and that having additional reviewers helped improve their work. Current research associates' suggestions for improving the program were to increase the salary, possibly increase the duration of the appointment, and create a better family leave policy.
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From page 62... ...
Former RAs still working at NIST were more likely to view their colleagues as treating them as professional colleagues, although this of course might be expected given that the former RAs were currently on temporary or career conditional appointments. On the negative side, some participants noted that the postdoc was not as helpful for RAs seeking academic positions in liberal arts colleges.
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From page 63... ...
. This difference is statistically significant at the 0.05 level.43 However, a greater percentage of responding NIST/NRC RAs published at least one article.
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From page 64... ...
% No. % 0 22 15.9 553 23.5 1 40 29.0 506 21.5 2 23 16.7 369 15.7 3 21 15.2 296 12.6 4 11 8.0 174 7.4 5 10 7.2 125 5.3 6 4 2.9 89 3.8 7 4 2.9 72 3.1 8 2 1.4 64 2.7 9 0.0 31 1.3 10 0.0 25 1.1 11 0.0 12 0.5 12 0.0 8 0.3 13 1 0.7 7 0.3 14 0.0 3 0.1 15 0.0 3 0.1 16 0.0 2 0.1 17 0.0 3 0.1 18 0.0 1 0.0 19 0.0 2 0.1 21 0.0 2 0.1 23 0.0 2 0.1 25 0.0 1 0.0 30 0.0 1 0.0 36 0.0 1 0.0 N 138 100.0 2352 100.0 Source: National Academies, DataRAP Database, tabulations by staff.
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From page 65... ...
While the NIST/NRC RAs have a slightly lower average than RAs in other RAPs (0.9 to 1) , the difference is not statistically significant.
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From page 66... ...
Among those who responded, as presented in Table 3-4, similar percentages of NIST/NRC Research Associates and Research Associates in other RAPs indicated that they had one or more. Numerically, both NIST/NRC Research Associates and Research Associates of other RAPs reported an average of 0.1 patents, with no statistically significant difference.
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From page 67... ...
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES' VIEWS OF THE PROGRAM The evaluation form asks Research Associates to rate the RAP on six dimensions on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing poor and 10 meaning excellent. Not surprisingly, given the positive feedback heard in the expert panels, most respondents had a very positive view of the program.
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From page 68... ...
TABLE 3-6 Research Associates' Appraisal of the Short-Term Value of the Research Associateship Program, by Program On A Scale of 1-10 (Poor-Excellent) , Please Rate the Following: Short Term Value NIST/NRC RAP Other RAPs 1 1 9 2 2 3 1 4 4 6 5 1 31 6 4 21 7 8 81 8 25 217 9 28 202 10 26 391 N 94 964 Source: National Academies, DataRAP Database, tabulations by staff.
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From page 69... ...
These differences were not statistically significant. TABLE 3-8 Research Associates' Appraisal of Laboratory Support Research Associateship Program, by Program On A Scale of 1-10 (Poor-Excellent)
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From page 70... ...
, Please Rate the Following: Advisor/Mentor Support NIST/NRC RAP Other RAPs 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 4 1 2 5 1 7 6 1 8 7 5 14 8 10 43 9 6 42 10 14 93 N 40 212 Sources: National Academies, DataRAP Database, tabulations by staff. LPR (administrative)
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From page 71... ...
. This difference is statistically significant at the 0.05 level.
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From page 72... ...
Conversely, they published fewer journal articles. However, while these differences were statistically significant, they were not substantively large.
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From page 73... ...
a. To assist in this, the NRC should redesign the final report and the Research Advisor's evaluation form to maximize the collection of data from these instruments (see Box 3-1 and Box 3-2 for suggested questions)
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Relationship of research conducted to research proposal i. I did what I proposed ii.
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Other: ____________ 10. In addition to conducting research, which of the following professional or career development activities did you engage in during your postdoctoral appointment?
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Grants 15. Thinking about your career plans when you began the postdoc and now, has your postdoctoral experience had an effect on your career preferences?
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Employer type 1. Remain at host agency as permanent employee 2.
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13. In your opinion, is 2 years the optimal duration for the postdoctoral appointment?
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From page 79... ...
Program allows postdocs to practice prepare grants g. Program allows postdocs to Practice giving presentations h.
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