Background
The Faculty Research Development Infrastructure component of the RIMI Project at UDC provides for the implementation of training, continuing education, mentoring/coaching and other professional development activities. The goal is to build institutional research capacity and capabilities among junior faculty and undergraduate students within the disciplines of nursing, medical radiography, respiratory therapy, nutrition and dietetics, and speech and communication disorders.
RIMI research dyads are expected to develop yearly research goals and objectives with corresponding tasks and activities, all of which are clearly outlined in their individual workplans [Mentor Scholar Agreements]. The following skill building and enrichment seminars and coursework are annually provided to strengthen capacity among faculty scholars and promote readiness to pursue independent investigator initiated sustainable research:
RIMI Summer Institute
A series of formal, week-long, didactic sessions for the Scholars that focus on skill building and educational enhancement relative to research design, methodology, implementation, and evaluation
First RIMI Summer Institute [June 5 – 9, 2006] - Introduced core scientific social research methodology useful for designing a basic health disparities research grant. Emphasis was placed on skillful selection and use of qualitative verses quantitative designs. Students were taught how to understand the rationale for selecting a particular research design, identify key components of each design introduced, write an appropriate research question or hypothesis, choose and apply an appropriate data collection strategy and assist in the data analysis process.
Second RIMI Summer Institute [May 21 – 25, 2007] - Introduced basic biomedical research tools and techniques that will be useful in the design of a health disparities research project. The Summer Institute began with a review of the social and behavioral science techniques covered in the 2006 Summer Institute and proceeded to cover techniques that are frequently used in clinical and translational research. Additionally, the Summer Institute included a review of the processes of literature searches; selection and development of pertinent research questions; recognition of an appropriate design for investigation of a research question; understanding of the methodologies used in data collection and statistical analysis; an introduction to Microsoft Office Suites; and the formats used in presenting the results of the research effort.
Other Professional Development Sessions
RIMI Winter Academy [January 19 – February 16, 2007] - A review course on basic research concepts and methodology held at Howard University. The five-day [one Friday for 5-weeks] crash course covered research methods and approaches, how to formulate a research question, developing a hypothesis and thesis statement, data collection methods, research design, etc. The Winter Academy was convened for 6-7 RIMI scholars who were unable to attend the annual Summer Institute.
RIMI Winter Academy [February 8 – March 28, 2008] - This eight week session entitled, “How to Write a Grant from A to Z” is a hands-on approach to better understand the grant writing process. The intended outcomes are to assist and support RIMI research dyads planning to submit new applications under the RIMI SEARCH Grant Program and/or other experienced dyads who are seeking external funding for larger health disparity projects. Dyads are required to bring actual grants to the sessions with a pre-selected topic of interest
RIMI Research Retreat – held to provide all RIMI staff and participants an opportunity to address concerns and future programmatic directions. Research dyads had an opportunity to solidify their Mentor/Scholar Agreements as well as to discuss their ongoing research projects.
HBCU Research Networking Meeting [November 30 – December 1, 2006] -The National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Research Network for Health Services and Health Disparities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the University of the District of Columbia School of Nursing and Allied Health partnered with the Texas Southern University School of Pharmacy to present a health disparities research conference focusing on African American and Hispanic American communities. The meeting served as a conduit for bringing together HBCU and Hispanic researchers, representatives from federal, state and local health departments, community-based health organizations, foundations, health services investigators, majority institutions, graduate students, and health related associations, among others. Investigators from HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) presented information about their intervention research studies.
Future Skill Building & Informational Sessions
The RIMI Project will offer a series of new skill building and continuing education seminars for Scholars in order to further facilitate educational experiences and opportunities that encourage the pursuit of scholarly research related to a health disparity.
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Microsoft Office Suite [Training]
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The Procurement & Grants Process at UDC [Informational]
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The Fundamentals of Project Management [Training]
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Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities [Informational]
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Understanding the IRB
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Saturday Academy
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Brown bag Lunch Lectures
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